InfrapinkMay 18, 2024

Why are people talking about flying a flag upside-down?

Today, a bunch of people on my Mastodon feed are making declarations about somebody apparently flying a flag upside down, and this apparently has something to do with the New York Times being terrible....

https://kbin.social/m/nostupidquestion[email protected]/t/1038958

Why are people talking about flying a flag upside-down? - nostupidquestions - kbin.social

Today, a bunch of people on my Mastodon feed are making declarations about somebody apparently flying a flag upside down, and this apparently has something to do with the New York Times being terrible....

Show threadRobotToasterMay 18, 2024

Flying the US flag upside down on ship is apparently a distress signal.

(Flying the UK flag upside down just makes people think you’re an idiot.)

Show threadgregorum
Does the UK flag even have an “upside down”?
May 18, 2024 at 11:06pmWeb
Show threadRobotToasterMay 18, 2024

Yes.

In the upper corner of the flag nearest the flagpole, the wider diagonal white stripe should be above the red diagonal stripe. If the red is above the wider white stripe the flag is upside-down.

www.college-of-arms.gov.uk/…/union-flag-faqs

Even our own government screws it up though telegraph.co.uk/…/union-flag-has-flying-outside-p…

Union Flag: FAQs - College of Arms

Frequently asked questions regarding the Union Flag, Union Jack. Official guidance on how and when to fly the national flag, and when to fly at half-mast.

Show threadgregorumMay 18, 2024
Wow, that’s so subtle!
Show threadBlueÆtherMay 18, 2024
very much so, just look at the corners
Show threadEpheraMay 19, 2024

Oh boy, you’re possibly in for a treat. I didn’t notice this for far too long either, but the UK flag is at a complete wonk:

It’s got rotational symmetry, but if you just flip it vertically, the thin red stripes will be the wrong way around.

Show threadgregorumMay 19, 2024
See, that’s where I was confused. Since it has rotational symmetry, I didn’t notice, since I just took an image and rotated it— but it didn’t consider how a flag hangs from a flagpole, with one edge having eyeholes for a rope or string. This means it would be inverted, not rotated, and the stripes would be different.