"Flag Costumes & Bikinis" - Flagging Spirit or Flagging Down Sacred Symbols ?

"Our problem is we take ourselves too seriously. Not only does our dispensation impose patriotism, it defines, redefines and dos-and-don'ts it too. Now it is illegal for the common Indian to fly the Tricolour atop his roof, now it's not...... Now you get sued for wearing the National Flag at a fashion show, now you can wear it as long as it's not below the waist (belt)....."  writes Viny Mishra, The Times of India (August 27,2005).

 During 1960-70s, it was compulsory to play the National Anthem Flag Film, now it's not.

"Festival of USSR" - an old Russian Picture Postcard (PPC), no fuss was made then about the positioning of the Indian National Flag along with several other national flags painted (below the waist) on the gown of the woman

Indian Flag Code (Don'ts) stipulates "No Flag below the belt".

There was a huge furors in India some couple of years back when an Indian television anchor covering the World Cup Cricket final match appeared on the screen donned a sari featuring the flags of the participating countries in which the Indian Tricolour was placed in an offending position.  

Predecessors of the bikini date toantiquity, in Çatalhöyük and the Greco-Roman world.  Art dating from the Diocletian period (286–305 AD) in Villa Romana del Casale, Sicily depicts women in skimpy garments resembling bikinis in mosaics on the floor. The images of ten women, dubbed the "Bikini Girls", exercising in clothing that would pass as bikinis today are the most replicated mosaic among the 37 million colored tiles at the site (source; Wikipedia)

Gilded statue of Roman Goddess Venus found in Pompeii, currently in the Museo Archeologico in Naples.(wikipedia)

Micheline Bernardini wearing the first modern bikini, 1946. which caused a sensation at a beauty contest at the Molitor swimming pool in Paris. Designer Louis Reard was unable to find a 'respectable' model for his costume and the job of displaying it went to 19-year-old Micheline Bernardini, a nude dancer from the Casino de Paris. She is holding a small box into which the entire costume can be packed. Celebrated as the first modern bikini. (wikipedia)

It is strange to see the British-India blue ensign (?) in the poster in place of Free India's Tricolour - the orange-white-green.Third row from the top at extreme left. India were invited in 1950 Jules Rimet Cup (World Cup) Football Tournament, but did not participate, due to inadequate foreign exchange reserves, the long journey by ship and the problem of bare-footed players.

Uruguay, 1951

 

Japan, 2010

No Indian flag on the socks above.

 

 

Great Britain (from where most of our laws have been evolved or adapted) has no Flag Code at all and there are some people of other countries who are horrified at the familiar way with which the British treat their Flag, the Union Jack.

In the United States, one of the most commonly ignored and misunderstood aspects of the Flag Code is section 8. "The flag should never be used as wearing apparel, bedding, or drapery." Section 3 of the Flag Code  defines a flag for the purposes of the code. It clarifies the definition to include any picture or representation of the flag purporting to be of the flag of the United States of America. Therefore T-shirts, or other apparel made of or containing a representation of the flag are in violation of the code.

Although the Flag Code is U.S. Federal law, it is only binding on government institutions displaying the flag: there is no penalty for a private citizen or group failing to comply with the Flag Code and it is not widely enforced—indeed, punitive enforcement would conflict with the First Amendment right to freedom of speech Flag Desecration Amendment would overrule legal precedent that has been established.

  

Mark Spitz in his Flag Speedo

(http://people.edu.ms/keyword/mark%20spitz%20poster)

Mark Andrew Spitz  (USA) won seven gold medals at the 1972 Munich Olympic Games.

(http://www.2008.nbcolympics.com/beachvolleyball/blogs/blog=beachvolleyballblog/postid=225231.html)
 
 

Peruvian model and dancer Leysi Suarez, in order to celebrate the 187th anniversary of Peru's independence from Spain, rode naked astride a beautiful brown horse wearing nothing but a look of stern patriotic pride - and using the Peruvian flag as a saddle. But instead of acclaim and adulation, Leysi faced political uproar and criminal charges for modelling on the provocative cover of DFarandula magazine."I haven't committed a crime!" Leysi protested. "I love Peru and show it with my body and soul!".

  

Aussie flag burnt in India over bikini controversy

10 May, 2011

Australian swimwear brand Lisa Blue has pulled bikinis bearing the image of Hindu goddess Lakshmi out of production after protesters in India burnt the Australian flags in response to the garments.

 Singapore Polo Team's Trunks "Inappropriate" !!!!!!!! 

Singapore rebuked its national water polo team for wearing swim trunks that feature a likeness of the city-state's flag. 

The trunks, which were designed by members of the men's team in the Asian Games in Guangzhou, China, show the flag's white crescent moon jutting up from the groin area with five stars to the side on a red background.

"Unfortunately the team did not seek our advice on the use of the crescent moon and stars when they designed their swim trunks," the Information Ministry said in a statement. "We would have told them that their design is inappropriate as we want elements of the flag to be treated with dignity."

The ministry, which normally evaluates the use of the flag on uniforms on a case-by-case basis, declined to specify which part of the design was objectionable.

The trunks sparked a controversy in the local media and on Internet message boards, with some offended by the use of the national flag while others were amused at the furor.

Source: http://pul.se/Singapore-Polo-Teams-Trunks-Inappropriate_News-ba2xjvhNKIR,9yCL9hNSqEaE

At the F(L)AG End let's see what more is stored for us !!! 

Nine Australians jailed in Malaysia for 'flag underpants' stunt. http://www.smh.com.au/world/nine-australians-jailed-in-malaysia-for-flag-underpants-stunt-20161003-grtziu.html

 Nine Australian revelers at Malaysia's Formula One racing circuit have been jailed after stripping down to reveal "underpants" featuring Malaysia's national flag.

 

The first look of the poster of the Hindi movie ‘Dirty Politics’ made it to the news in 2015. It showed the actress sitting on top of a government car against the backdrop of the Rajasthan State Legislative Assembly wearing nothing but a drapery imitating the tricolours of the Indian NF.

'Dirty Politics' - a movie allegedly based on the Bhanwari Devi murder and rape case in which a former Congress Minister was convicted. High Courts in Hyderabad and Patna issued notices to the actress and the film’s producer on PILs against the obscene use of the Indian Tricolour. It was alleged that they had intentionally insulted the National flag.

FLAGS in National Anthems and Patriotic Songs, Part II

In continuation with my earlier Post titled "Flags in National Anthems and Patriotic Songs (Commonwealth Member Countries)", I shall endeavor to present here and in subsequent issues "Anthems and Patriotic Songs" from rest of the world which contains reference to "Flags" and are also found space in the field of Philately.

Antigua and Barbuda (Members of the Commonwealth Group of Nations)

"Fair Antigua, We Salute Thee" is the the national Anthem of Antigua and Barbuda,  penned by Novelle Hamilton Richards and composed by Walter Garnet Picart Chambers, it was adopted upon independence in 1967.


The anthem extolled:
“Fair Antigua and Barbuda We thy sons and daughters …. Raise the

standard! Raise it boldly! Answer now to duty call: To the service of 

your country....”

Albania  

Himni i Flamurit (Hymn to the Flag) is the national anthem of Albania. Penned by Asdreni (Aleksandër Stavre Drenova). It was first published in 1912 as a poem titled Ëndra e lotë (Dreams and tears) in the  Liri e Shqipërisë (Freedom of Albania), a newspaper published from in Sofia, Bulgaria. The music was composed by the  Romanian composer Ciprian  Porumbescu.

“Rreth flamurit perbashkuar” (The flag in the battle unites us) and continues “found us all ready for the oath, one mind, one aim, until our land becomes free from enemy”

Algeria

Qassam (We Swear) is the national anthem of Algeria. Adopted in 1963. The lyrics by Mufdi Zakariah. The music was composed by Mohamed Fawzi, of Egypt.
  The Anthem commences “We swear by the lightning that destroys … By the streams of generous blood  being shed, by bright flags that wave, flying proudly on the high djebel (mountain)”

Armenia

"Mer Hayrenik" (Our Fatherland) , the Armenian Anthem was adopted in1991, it is based on the anthem of the Democratic Republic of Armenia (1918-1922), but with different lyrics. The lyrics of the anthem is adapted version of "The Song of the Italian girl" by Mikael Nalbandian. Music was set by composer Barsegh Kanachyan (1885-1967).

Here is a flag for you, my brother,
That I have sewed
Over the sleepless nights,
And bathed in my tears.

Aruba

Aruba Dushi Tera (Aruba Precious Country ) written in Papiamento, is the  anthem of Aruba. It is a waltz written by Juan Chabaya Lampe and composed by Rufo Wever. It was adopted in 1976.

It contains:
“….Bo escudo y bandera ta
orguyo di nos tur!”
 translated  “….your coat of arms and flag is the proudness of our all!

Azerbaijan

Azərbaycan Marşı is the national anthem of Azerbaijan, the original title of which was March of Azerbaijan.  The words were written by the poet Ahmad Javad in 1918, and the music was composed by Azeri composer Uzeyir Hajibeyov The patriotic song was re-adopted as national anthem after the fall of Communist rule in 1990.

“….. To raise your banner,
And uphold your honor,
All the youth are eager.
Cherished land, Cherished land.
Azerbaijan! Azerbaijan!
In accordance with Azerbaijani law, there are no official translations of the anthem.(Source Wikipedia free library).

 The obverse of the Azerbaijani 5 manat banknote issued in 2006 depicts writers, poets, and books from Azerbaijan with an excerpt of the national anthem

Belarus

"My Belarusy" is the “State Anthem of the Republic of Belarus". The anthem was originally written  by Mikhas Klimkovich and adopted in 1955 for use in the Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic. The music was composed by Niescier Sakałoŭski. After the collapse of the USSR new lyrics were written by Klimkovich and Uladzimir Karyzny in 2002. The lyrics of the anthem now sing the banner of victory, the banner of sunshine;
“Peoples’ friendship is peoples’ strength and
Our sacred sunlit way.
Fly proudly in the clear skies,
The banner of victory, the banner of sunshine!”

 Anthem of the Byelorussian SSR sung during Soviet period “….In struggles for freedom, in struggles for fate, We have gained our banner of victories. We were united by the name of Lenin The Party leads us in the quest to happiness Glory to the Party! Glory to the Motherland! Glory to you,Belarusian people”.

Belgium

The “Brabançonne” (Song of Brabant) is the anthem of Belgium. The anthem has a French, a Dutch and a German version. The song was written during the Belgian Revolution, by a young revolutionary named Jenneval. And underwent many changes, the present version was adapted in 1938.  The song was composed by François Van Campenhout .

The English translation of the French text reads as follows;
After centuries of slavery, Belgians arising from the tomb, Have gained by their courage Their name, rights and flag. And you proud sovereign hand, unconquerable people, shall blazon on your ancient banner: For King, and Law, and Liberty.

 

 “The Brabançonne” is also a monument (1930) by the sculptor Charles Samuel on the Surlet de Chokier square at Brussels. The monument contains partial lyrics of both the French and Dutch versions of the anthem.

Benin (Dahomey).

L'Aube Nouvelle (The New Dawn ) is the national anthem of Benin. Written and composed by Gilbert Jean Dagnon, adopted in 1960. The second verse of three intones;
When all around there blows a wind of anger and hate:
Citizen of Benin be proud, and in a calm spirit
Trusting in the future, behold your flag!
In the green you read hope of spring;
The red signifies the courage of your ancestors;
The yellow foretells the greatest treasures.

 The flag was adopted in 1959, abandoned in 1975 and re-introduced in 1990

 

Biafra.

 "Land of the Rising Sun" was the declared national anthem of the secessionist Nigerian state of Biafra. The tune was adopted from Sibelius' "Finlandia". (Note: It had no connection with  the Japanese anthem Kimi ga Yo)

 “…The waving standard which emboldens the free
Shall always be our flag of liberty….”

                                                          

Bolivia

Bolivianos, el Hado Propicio (A most Favorable Destiny) is the national anthem of Bolivia , adopted in 1845. José Ignacio de Sanjinés, a signer of both the Bolivian Declaration of Independence and the first Bolivian Constitution, wrote the lyrics. The music was composed by an Italian, Leopoldo Benedetto Vincenti.

 The second verse of three states
“her flung banners find glorious expression, we are free! Sons, whom mighty (Simon) Boliver shall call his own… If dishonoured their flag shall ever be.”

 Brazil

The Brazilian national anthem Hino Nacional Brasileiro was composed by Francisco Manuel da Silva in 1822 and lyrics by Osório Duque-Estrada written in 1909 has a flag related verse reading  “Brazil ! May thy Star-Sprinkled Banner of gold and green speak to us ever of peace… Brazil, when thy limpid skies so calmly smiling and serene the glory of the Southern Cross shines above."

 

Francisco Manuel da Silva

 

 Hino à Bandeira Nacional, is an hymn dedicated to the National flag. The lyrics were written by poet Olavo Bilac, and the music composed by Francisco Braga. It is  performed on November 19 (Flag Day). The English translations

Hail, precious banner of hope!

Hail, august symbol of peace! ....

In thy beauteous bosom portraits

This sky of purest blue,

The impaired greenness of these forests,

And the splendor of the Southern Cross.

…..

Hovers always the sacred flag,

Pavilion of justice and love!

                                                                                     

Central African Republic

"La Renaissance" (Rebirth) is the national anthem of the Central African Republic, Adopted in 1960. The words were written by the then Prime Minister, Barthélémy Boganda. The music was composed by Herbert Pepper, who also composed the national anthem of Senegal, "Pincez Tous vos Koras, Frappez les Balafons".

 To work! In order and dignity,
in the respect for rights and in unity,
Breaking poverty and tyranny,
Holding high the flag of the Fatherland.
There is also a version in the Sango language entitled "E Zingo"

Costa Rica

"Himno Nacional de Costa Rica" is the national anthem of Costa Rica. It was originally adopted in 1853, with the music composed by Manuel María Gutiérrez. Words penned by José María Zeledón Brenes were added in 1900.

Noble patria, tu hermosa bandera
expresión de tu vida nos da;
bajo el límpido azul de tu cielo
blanca y pura descansa la paz.

Translated;  “Noble country, thy beautiful banner is for us a symbol of thy life.”

Curaçao.

Himno di Kòrsou is the national anthem of Curaçao.

 The Flag theme is best summed up by the fifth stanza  which goes:
“….Our fatherland we demonstrate
honour and loyalty,
as we do to the flag
the union of our nation”.