Power Rankings: World Flags

World Flag Rankings

This is the third installment of our “power rankings” series. As usual, this is hugely subjective and we welcome disagreement. Without further ado, we present the best world flags according to…us.

1. Canada

Canada gets it. The design is simple, symmetrical, and immediately recognizable. The flag seems like it was specifically created to inspire the design of the national hockey team’s jerseys… and it makes you think of maple syrup…which is delicious.

2. Croatia

Croatia, Serbia, Slovakia, and Slovenia all have similar flag designs, but Croatia is head and shoulders above its Balkan peers. For one, the coat of arms is centered, unlike the other Balkan flags, but it’s also just a cool coat of arms. The checkerboard pattern is extremely regal and the five-pronged crown, which represents the five regions of Croatia, adds some personality to the design.

3. Wales

We waffled a bit at first when deciding whether we should include Wales, given we would technically be double-dipping with the United Kingdom. But how could we not include a flag like this? It looks like something straight out of Game of Thrones.

4. Switzerland

Switzerland coming in hot as the lone non-rectangle in the top 15.

5. Mexico

Mexico was initially lower on our list, but every time you look at it, it keeps growing on you. At first glance, it just looks like the Italian flag with a bird thrown in the middle, but the Mexican coat of arms is just incredible. It is derived from a legend that the Aztec people would know where to establish a settlement when they saw an eagle on a cactus eating a snake. Very specific instructions. That settlement (Tenochtitlan) is now Mexico City.

6. South Korea

The yin-yang is an undeniably cool symbol. Each of the four trigrams represent a universal element (heaven, sun, moon, earth), which together express the principles of movement and harmony. While the symbolism in this flag certainly earns it some points in our highly unscientific ranking methodology, the best part of the South Korean flag is that it is also known as “Taegukgi”, which literally means “supreme ultimate flag”. Hopefully ranking the “supreme ultimate flag” #6 overall won’t ruffle any feathers.

7. Brazil

Brazilians love their flag. Few countries incorporate their flag’s color scheme into every facet of daily life to the extent that Brazil does. The combination of green, yellow, and blue is so perfectly Brazilian, although these days the Brazilian government might wan to take its motto (“order and progress”) a bit more seriously.

8. Kenya

The Kenyan flag has some of the best symbolism of all of the world flags. The black band represents the majority of Kenyan population, the red represents the blood shed during the fight for independence, the green represents the country’s natural beauty, and the white accents represent peace. The traditional Masai shield and spears represents the defense of freedom.

9. United States

We may be slightly bias, but it’s hard not to include the American flag on this list.

10. United Kingdom

The Union Jack is as iconic as it gets. But as Americans, it only felt right to put the Brits just one peg below the US.

11. South Africa

This is probably the busiest and most colorful design on our list, but it works. Six colors might seem like too much, but when you think of the various people groups and colonizing forces that have clashed throughout the country’s turbulent history, it seems fitting to have so much going on in the design.While the colors themselves have no real significance, the Y shape represents “the convergence of diverse elements within South African society, taking the road ahead in unity”. It also brings back fond memories of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

12. Japan

If you appreciate simplicity, then does Japan have a flag for you.

13. Argentina

That’s one sassy sun.

14. Lebanon

The Lebanese flag is great for the same reason as Canada. It takes a simple red and white foundation and sticks the national symbol directly in the center. Admittedly, the green cedar tree could be a bit more symmetrical (it has a bit of a Salvador Dali effect going on), but it’s a solid flag nonetheless.

15. Greece

And Greece rounds out our top 15. You may recognize the design from the garage in My Big Fat Greek Wedding. If you’re looking at his flag and thinking it should be a lighter shade of blue, then you’re right…and also wrong. The government has mandated that the official colors of the flag are “cyan and white”. Since the word “cyan” can also mean “blue” in Greek, it’s pretty much anyone’s guess which is the correct shade to use.

Thanks for reading. If you’re interested in our other “Power Rankings”, see below: