The flag of FOTW
Flags of the World
, abbreviated as FOTW, is an online vexillology database and vexillology organization. It is the internet's largest vexillology website and flag database, featuring over 82,000 pages about flags and over 185,000 images of flags. It documents a wide variety of flags from around the world, including countries, organizations, states, territories, districts, cities, and more.
FOTW was created by Giuseppe Bottasini and formed originally as a mailing list and flag discussion group in 1993, with the website being formed in 1994. In 2001, it became a member of the International Federation of Vexillological Associations (FIAV).
The website is maintained and updated by a group of volunteer editors from around the world.
Tropes:
- Basilisk and Cockatrice: The flag of Kazan, Russia features a cockatrice.
- Beary Friendly: The flag of Perm, Russia features a very happy and friendly bear with a Russian Orthodox Bible on its back.
- Bright Castle: The flag of Aberdeenshire, Scotland features a white castle over a purple and gold bicolor.
- Color Motif: Most flags have meanings behind their colors.
- Cosmic Motifs: Cosmic symbolism is extremely common in flags, with stars, the sun, and the moon being very popular.
- Elemental Motifs: Various flags feature designs that include things such as fire, water, wind, and electricity.
- Fictional Flag: Although it focuses on real world flags, there are also various fictional flags featured on the website.
- Heal It with Blood: The flag of Louisiana features a mother pelican feeding its children its blood. This comes from a legend that pelicans kill their offspring and revive them with their blood. This idea is called a "pelican in her piety" and is a metaphor for God sacrificing his son and resurrecting him.
- Jolly Roger: Various pirate flags appear on the website.
- Letter Motif: Many flags feature letters, often times representing its name. One notable example is the flag of the North American Vexillological Association, which features a white v over a blue and red background. Many other vexillological organizations also have flags featuring the letter v.
- Russian Bear: Many Russian flags feature bears, including those of Zheleznogorsk and Perm.
- Weaponized Animal: The flag of Sri Lanka features a lion holding a sword.
- White Stallion: A white horse appears on the flag of Kent, England.
