Bagging Their Flags

By Jeremy Caplan

So much for grand old flags. Some Australian nationalists this month are lobbying to ditch their current symbol, far left--which includes Britain's Union Jack--because it conjures up the country's roots as a penal colony. Instead, the Aussies are pushing for a new flag celebrating the 19th century Eureka Stockade, a tax revolt some liken to the Boston Tea Party. Australia is just one of several countries reconsidering their colors. --By Jeremy Caplan

IRAQ

After briefly trying a design critics called too similar to Israel's, Iraq reverted in June to a flag nearly identical to its Saddam-era one

MONTENEGRO

As part of government plans for full independence by 2006, Parliament voted in July for symbols that mark a new beginning

GEORGIA

President Mikheil Saakashvili replaced the Georgian symbol this year with a five-cross banner that used to be his party's flag

ANGOLA

A sunny banner may be officially adopted in 2005 to replace a Soviet-style precursor. The new flag is said to symbolize unity and harmony

NEW ZEALAND

In a survey, 12% of locals could not tell their flag from Australia's. Some would prefer the banner above, depicting the silver fern, a Kiwi icon