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The Droidenian Imperial StandardFrom Droidenpedia, the Droidenian Encyclopaedia
In Droiden, there are several flags that one might see on the flagpoles of government buildings, in front of schools, stadiums, and hospitals, and folded up in the living rooms or kitchens of the nation's veterans. As Droiden has nine provinces, each provincial flag is known very well to the people of that province, as well as to those from the other areas of the empire. Noteworthily, these flags do not depict the double barred nordic cross, rather depicting the single barred one. This is to set apart the empire as a whole as a symbol of unity and piety.
The Provincial Flags are always flown below the Imperial Standard, mandated by the 2036 Flag Act, as a show of each Province's understanding that they are a part of something bigger. The Droidenian Flag Pledge is recited before each Folketinget session, and is also recited across the nation on June 28, also known as Flag Day, commemorating the restoration of the Monarchy to Droiden.
The Imperial Standard (Droidenebroget)
The Imperial Standard, shown at left, became official in 1622 with the rise of imperialism and colonialism, in order to distinguish what would later become Droidenian Colonies from the rest of the world. Further, it also began to be flown on the ships of the empire to denote them from afar. Before that, many had conceptualized red, white, and green together as a symbol of unity among the diverse people groups of the empire. A design based on an old viking standard was conceptualized, but fell out of use and is only known about through writings due to the fact that there was likely no power behind the flag. It is described as being triangular in nature, with golden frills bordering it. The design itself was likely a dark green with a dark red outline, with an Orthodox cross in the middle.
Artist Rasmus Ibsen became a proponent of Droidenian Nationalism and Imperialism during the rise of the Droidenian Colonial Empire, and presented the precursor to the current design to Kongur Skard III, who approved the design. Though the design became the Imperial Standard, it was not widely used until around 1812 during the Napoleonic Wars, in order to distinguish Droidenian units more easily under the smog of war. This became even more necessary during the Great War, as artillery smoke and trench warfare made it difficult to distinguish friendly and hostile units. Originally, the Flag only had a single cross, and did not have the border around it. This design came into practice in 1888 after the mending of the Little Schism, which revitalized faith in the Orthodox Church. The border separating the cross signifies the independence of the Droidenian Orthodox Church, while the double barred cross itself represents adherence to Orthodox liturgy and traditions.
During the December Revolution, the Droidenian Popular Banner was made, depicting a gear and hammer in gold, over a green, white, and red tricolor. Flying this flag was made illegal in 2036 after the restoration of the monarchy, which uses the 1888 flag.
Contents
The Imperial Standard is comprised of three colours, Green (#337321), Red (#C60C30), and white (#FFFFFF). Overall, these colors can be seen as meaning joy in nature, joy in peace, and joy in hard work, all under the glory of God. However, these colors also have other meanings.
Green
The green used on the Droidenian Imperial Standard symbolizes nature in popular contexts, but it officially represents the Droites, which are thought to have used the color green in their banners and body paint. It further represents hope for the future and joy in the present and past.
Green is thought of by many Droidenians to be a holy color, likely due to a mistranslation of a text from the Byzantines brought back by Leif I after his visit to Constantinople. It was said that the color green was regal and sacred, however linguists dispute the claim of the text, citing purple as the color mentioned in the text. This blunder has stumped modern linguists, who say that this mistranslation is nearly too impossible to declare as an accident. The main theory posited by the Droidenian Orthodox Church is that Leif I saw the greenery of Constantinople, and figured that it was the doing of a God that was more powerful than the pagan gods he believed in.
Green is also a representation of prosperity, and is seen by some as a marker of the prosperous Droidenian economy, which is large and effective while maintaining low wealth inequality and staving off corporate greed. This conception is more of a modern phenomenon, only coming into practice after the 2036 restoration.
White and the Bordered Cross
The White used on the Droidenian Imperial Standard symbolizes purity and piety in traditional contexts, however in more modern contexts, it can be interpreted as a representation of the winter snow. Due to its northern climate, Droiden is very snowy during the winter months and, in the more northern parts, is snowy almost year round.
White is, naturally, a color of holiness in the nation, symbolizing piety. It is the color of the uniforms of bishops across the nation.
The bordered cross represents Droidenian Orthodoxy, and its separation from the other Orthodox Faiths. The border represents the Orthodox origins of the DOC, while also showing that it is not the same as anything else on earth.On the flag, the white cross signifies the piety of the Church and its membership.
Red
The Red use on the Droidenian Imperial Standard symbolized the hardiness and resilience of the Droidenian people, regardless of ethnic group. The Droidenian people have suffered through many things, only coming out stronger. It also represents the bloodshed of war and that was suffered during the December Revolution and 2036 Restoration, memorializing the sacrifice of all of those who fought for Droiden.
The placement of red on the flag also stands for the triumph over syndicalism. The Green and White being placed over the Red shows that the Church and People have overcome the terror that Syndicalism brought to Droiden.