u/Microraptorine

I'm sure many of you have heard of actor Sam Neill's request on the set of Event Horizon, a movie that takes place in the year 2047 (only 21 years away, mind you). For those who have not, it was to replace the union jack for flag of Indigenous Australians (formerly known as Aborigines). Reasons why this is probably the wisest choice: 1) minimize backlash caused by a complete redesign, 2) incorporate elements of the Indigenous identity (lends to unforseen positive social implications thanks to visibility), and 3) It looks damn cool.

Hello and Hej!

As someone born in the USA, I couldn't help but wonder about the various diaspora that came in search of a dream. Of course, its never that simple, and the truth is often much crueler. But as my grandmother says, with the utmost sincerity, "that's life".

That must have been what my great-great-(a few more greats) grandfather Jonas Bengtson thought as he neared the end of his life in Kandiyohi, Minnesota. Jonas had traveled all the way from Hälsingland, Sweden at the turn of the century, braving the Atlantic, along with his sisters, in search of a life in America. He found it.

In honor of him, and all the swedes who found their way over during that period, I designed this flag, as I myself searched for my roots.

Design choices;

Colors: Gold and Blue, reminiscent of the Swedish national colors, however, instead of Azure Blue, I chose Old Glory Blue, because "we're not in Kåsjö anymore!" lol

The white I added to give shape to the blue "waves" per-se, as well as to contrast the star in the center (Polaris, anyone?), given shape by the yellow polygon.

That polygon is modeled after a origami paper boat, and only after designing it, did I realize that it resembles the crown upon the Lesser coat of arms of the Kingdom of Sweden. :-)

The crest on the variant is that of Hälsingland, from which my ancestor came. I suppose one could replace it with crests of any place of origin or settlement. Remove it, and the star will lead you home.

Additional info;

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swedish_emigration_to_the_United_States

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coat_of_arms_of_Sweden

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H%C3%A4lsingland