The symbolism of the Arab flag in modern Arab states: between commonality and uniqueness*

ABSTRACT. The national flag, anthem and emblem are the three symbols through which an independent country proclaims its identity and sovereignty. Although each state has its distinctive flag, there are similarities in the flags of certain countries, such as in Scandinavia (the cross) and Africa (colours). These symbolise certain propinquity in terms of ideology, culture and history. Similarity is also to be found in the flags of the Arab countries: out of the twenty‐two current members of the Arab League, ten share the same colours on their flags (green, white, black and red), while a certain Islamic symbol (eagle, star) in some flags represents the uniqueness of that country. Of the other twelve countries, most rely on one colour of the four (usually red or green) while nine use Islamic symbols (stars, crescent and sword) on their flags. In spite of the importance of this national symbol, the study of the modern Arab flag is almost non‐existent. This article explores the modern evolution of the Arab flag and the reasons for the similarities in many Arab flags. In particular, it will deal with the pan‐Arab flags of the Hashemites Kingdom of the Hijaz (1916–26), Jordan, Iraq, Palestine, Syria and Egypt.     

‘What’s left of the flag’: the Confederate and Jacobite ‘lost cause’ myths,and the construction of mythic identities through conflict commemoration

The use of battlefields and associated conflict sites provide tantalising hooks upon which to hang tapestries of grand narratives relating to regional and national identities, often defined by what the identities are not. This paper examines the unlikely connection between Jacobite and Confederate romanticism, and how battlefields, conflict related sites, and symbolic material culture are mobilised through active commemoration by some heritage groups in support of a created, mythic identity of a ‘Southern Celt’. Furthermore, it examines the production of a mythic history that whitewashes and recasts the Confederacy, the reality of the Civil War, and the Confederate Flag, while at the same time minimising, hiding, or ignoring competing narratives.     

民初泗水华侨交涉案研究

在收集整理中国第二历史档案馆馆藏有关档案的基础上,描述了民国时期荷属东印度泗水地区华侨升旗案的发生和交涉过程;分析了其给海外华侨对中国认同、中国与东南亚各国外交关系发展变化所带来的重要影响;并总结了本涉侨案件的三点历史意义。     

中国近代的外交与外交礼仪

19世纪70年代,清廷各级外交人员出国后,认知、认同、接受了西方国家的外交观念及其礼仪惯例,并开始了逐渐与其接轨的近代化进程,但同时也出现一些礼仪对接中的错位现象.出于外交的需要,清廷初步确定了清国的国旗、国歌.这一时期清廷外交理念及外交活动的变化是巨大而深刻的,功不可没.但中国在政治上付出的代价也是巨大的,惨重的,其教训也同样是不可忘记的.     

Flags in the city. The case of Gdynia

Abstract

The article discusses flags in respect of their different forms (kind or type of occurrence) and functions served (role and meaning). The author raised the following research questions about the current use of flags in the city: when, what flags and why they are flown along the city streets? The following thesis was put forward that flags hung by Gdynia City Hall are a reflection of its development policy. The paper is based on data obtained from the City Hall of the Baltic city of Gdynia (Poland) and semi-structured interviews conducted in September 2015 with two clerks responsible for flag display in the city. The distribution of flags along the streets in Gdynia varies in time and in space. The ancient invention which is the flag is currently used in Gdynia in two forms (traditional flags and promotional banners) and it fulfils two functions: signalisation and identification. Flags have become a visual sign of the eventification and festivalisation of urban politics and, at the same time, of the public space of Gdynia.     

Under the Danish Cross: flagging Danishness in the years around World War II

This article explores the significance of the Danish flag in the formation of national identities during World War II and the immediate post-war period. During this dark and tumultuous period of Danish history, the flag was claimed by different groups with very different agendas, which in turn engendered differing conceptions of Denmark and Danishness. Three different themes are investigated in the article. The first regards the flag as a symbol of national continuity and endurance. From this angle, the flag functioned as a living, corporeal piece of history, which signalled that old Denmark would prevail, in spite of the crisis at hand. The second theme investigates the coupling of the flag with democracy during the 1943 elections. This event was hailed by the government as a major national celebration, with nationwide flagging for the democratic values of Denmark. At the same time, the elections were criticized as ‘un-national’, both by home-grown Nazis and the resistance movement. The third section dwells on the notion of martyrdom for the flag. This form of Danishness was not connected to peace-loving democracy, but woven into a martial discourse of sacrifice, honour and masculine heroism. Public worship of martyrdom was particularly intense in the early post-war era, when the flag was used to link ordinary Danes to the fallen heroes of the resistance movement. Thus, it was not the democratic spirit of 1943 that was celebrated after Liberation, but the martyrdom of fallen male resistance fighters, whose blood was evoked as the foundation of the re-born nation. The national memory of post-war Denmark, thereby, was based on the notion of a united people, who had stood firm and even been willing to die for the honour of their ancient flag.     

对高举中国特色社会主义旗帜必然性的理性思考

胡锦涛总书记于2007年6月25日在中央党校省部级干部进修班发表的重要讲话中鲜明地回答了"举什么旗"的根本问题,回答了社会上的种种疑虑。这个讲话对于廓清人们的思想迷雾、校正人们的思想偏差、统一全党的思想、坚持当代中国的正确发展道路,意义重大。笔者认为,只有从人类文明的发展规律、社会主义发展的必然要求、中国社会的最优发展方向、凝聚中华民族的内在根据等层面对中国特色社会主义旗帜确立的必然性作深层次的理性思考,才能进一步增强高举伟大旗帜、坚持正确道路的自觉性和坚定性。