December 2024 Flag Design Contest - Flag for the Chagos Islands

[u/Vexy]

Hello and welcome to the r/vexillology monthly flag design contest

This December we’re looking for you to design a flag for...

The Chagos Islands

As you may have recently heard in the news, the Chagos Islands will now no longer be represented by the Flag of the British Indian Ocean Territory

Instead, it will be changing hands and be under the aegis of Mauritius.

The question is, if that’s going to be the case, what should the new flag be?

We want you to design a flag for the Chagos Islands, now that things have changed. A flag to represent these islands specifically within the Mauritius aegis.

PAY ATTENTION BECAUSE THE DEADLINES ARE SLIGHTLY CHANGED - Since it is December and we have the best of/year end to consider

The timeline is as follows

• Design - 1st December - 16th December
• Voting - 17th December - 22nd December
• Best of the year voting - 23rd December - 27th December
• Best of year results - 28th December

Please read the contest rules in full before submitting. These are the rules that apply to every contest, every month, so they are quite important.

PLEASE Remember the basics - a maximum of ONLY two submissions per entrant.

DO NOT show the design ANYWHERE ELSE on the subreddit before the contest is over.

Because this has been asked several times, let’s be clear - you will see all approved entries between 17-22nd of December - this is when you can vote on them.

If you want your flag to be included in the ones voted on, click here or on any of the other links immediately below.. We’re making this all as clear as possible.

Submissions for the Chagos Islands contest need to use this link here.

To enter the Chagos Island flag contest click here

If you have designed a flag for the Chagos Islands that you want people to vote on, use this web page. The voting will begin on 17th December and end on 22nd December

Participating in this Chagos Islands-centric vexillology competition is made possible by the digital location accessed via this link

Deadline for submissions is Monday 16th December 2024.

[u/VertigoOne]

So for those who commented recently, we've worked hard to make this month's contest

• a flag for a place, rather than something abstract
• a non-American contest
• a contest relevent to current events

Hope this helps

[u/wsxcderfvbgtyhn → u/VertigoOne]

Great topic you chose

[u/Ozymandius21 → u/VertigoOne]

great one this month.

[u/bribridude130]

I am also glad this month's contest will be about an actual geographical place. Once again, challenge accepted.

[u/StonkyLikesFlags]

Heck yeah

[u/wsxcderfvbgtyhn]

Very interesting topic. I’ve already submitted the two allowed submissions

[u/pyrosfere]

Finally, something relevant, thank you r/vexillology mods!

[u/Miguk4Real]

Nice topic about something relevant. However, I would imagine that the current flag of the Chagossian people will become the official flag of the territory. But what do I know?

Since everyone will be making a flag about the exact same thing, I can only imagine how many duplicates or similar flags will be made. But what do I know?

What I do know is that in my mind the challenge will be to design a flag that 1. Looks good. 2. Is unique and memorable. One that stands out from everyone else's design. 3. Finding relevant symbolism that can adequately represent the people living there.

Just my thoughts.

[u/Greyspeir → u/Miguk4Real]

I wouldn't count on the Chagossian flag being the official flag, since the islands are uninhabited except for Diego Garcia (American leased territory), and that neither the Mauritians or the British really consulted the Chagossian people on the transfer, which from what I can tell wasn't really a consideration, just a transfer of sovereignty. In reality, i'll be surprised if there will be any official flag for the islands.

[u/Miguk4Real → u/Greyspeir]

You may be right in regards to perhaps there won't be any official flag for this area. Only time will tell.

The islands are uninhabited due to the forced removal of the Chagossians by the British/American militaries. Now, with the transfer of sovereignty, the Chagossians will now, undoubtedly, have the right of return. It will be interesting to see how many actually do and under what circumstances.

In my mind, for the purposes of this contest, is to design a flag that COULD be used as an official flag if needed.

[u/Vaasan_not_n0t_5 → u/Miguk4Real]

Yeah, the current flag of the native people looks lit🔥, which has a meaning, too. It is thoughtful. Can I share it here? Yeah, why not put a link?

https://media.defense.gov/2022/Dec/06/2003126352/2000/2000/0/221206-F-YT915-003.JPG

[u/Ozymandius21]

Where is the link to enter this competition?

/s

[u/VertigoOne → u/Ozymandius21]

I'm not angry. I'm just disappointed.

[u/Brasitino_do_Sul → u/Ozymandius21]

Yeah, where is it? I cannot find it anywhere anyhow!

/s

[u/Vaasan_not_n0t_5]

Hi Moderator, please mention something about the currently proposed flag by the Chagossian People. u/Miguk4Real is right, there might be a lot of duplicates. Since we are all human we think alike to some extent. While looking for inspiration on the Web, this flag will influence a lot of design and there may be many flags with only minor differences.

Chagossian Flag used in their protest

Chagossian Flag as per WIKI

u/vexy your thoughts?

[u/VertigoOne → u/Vaasan_not_n0t_5]

The "there will be a lot of duplicates" thing is... kind of a "true but missing the point" deal.

Yes, we're all trying to represent the same thing.

No, that doesn't mean we all need to do it in the same way.

Yes, people will be drawing from the same pool of symbolism.

No, people don't have to respond/use those symbols in the same way.

[u/Miguk4Real → u/VertigoOne]

After several days of researching and designing several flags for this contest, I have come to the conclusion that my previous post could be wrong. I have several flags created using different symbols and colors, which leads me to believe that if I can create so many different designs representing the same thing, that most likely others, who are far more creative and skilled at flag design than I am, can also create different flags representing the same thing as well.

My problem now is deciding which two of my flags will be submitted. Decisions, decisions! lol

Only time will tell if I am right. Good luck everyone and may the odds be in your favor!

[u/Brasitino_do_Sul → u/Vaasan_not_n0t_5]

In my opinion, duplicates will be there no matter what, and that's fine! We are all making a flag for the same thing, and there will always be at least 2 flags out of the dozens submitted which will look alike.

For example, the many, multiple Southern Crosses in Australia's Subdivisions in October of 23, the Germanies and Hungaries of November of 23, the Crescents of Stanistan in July of this year, and, heck, even the dozens of pens of last month's contest!

The worst thing that could happen is everybody's rating on each flag to lower, for their "uncreativity," and that might give participants more will to make something more creative, out of the ordinary, that stands out compared to others!

[u/Vaasan_not_n0t_5 → u/Brasitino_do_Sul]

do people vote for their designs?

[u/Brasitino_do_Sul → u/Vaasan_not_n0t_5]

Yes! Actually, the voting process has started just yesterday! Every flag submitted is at the site, vexillologycontests.com, and you can vote on each one from 0 to 5 (including your entries, if you've submitted anything), and, in about 4 days, the voting process will be over and the winners will be annouced!

[u/Vaasan_not_n0t_5 → u/Brasitino_do_Sul]

Thanks for the info. Is it OK? if I vote for my design... but its kinda sus u know

[u/Brasitino_do_Sul → u/Vaasan_not_n0t_5]

To rate your own design? Yes, I think it's okay to do that! As long as you rate the other flags fairly too, I see no problem with that

[u/VertigoOne]

TODAY

Is the last day to submit your designs...

[u/Good-Economics-2302]

Good pm I already aubmitted my output please approve it. Thank you.

[u/Money-Aide-8810]

Oh.