Christopher Peak Photo
Alder Hacibey Catalbasoglu.
(Opinion) New Haven’s flag is outdated and poorly designed.
We can change that.
According to the North American Vexillological Association (vexillology refers to the study of flags), a good flag abides by a few guiding principles, two of which are that a flag should be simple and have no wording. It should be simple so that one could recreate in as they please (e.g., stickers, cloth, tattoos, etc.). It should have no wording, because wording defeats the purpose of a flag in the first place.
If you have to label your flag or explain its symbolism, your flag has failed.
How Milwaukee did it: Old flag (above left), new (right).
Many beautiful country and city flags have been fashioned in accordance with these principles.
Take the Chicago flag, for example. Its flag is decorated with four red stars in between two light blue stripes. The top stripe represents Lake Michigan and the Chicago River, while the bottom stripe represents the South Branch and the Great Canal. Each star represents a different event in Chicago’s history from the Great Fire of 1871 to the Work Columbia Exposition of 1893. This simplistic yet meaningful symbol is adorned all over the city.
People take pride in their flag, no matter where in Chicago they are from. In fact, when Chicago police officers die on duty, their coffin is often covered with the Chicago, not U.S., flag.
Now let me walk you through New Haven’s flag: it’s a blue seal on a white background with a man in a helmet and the Latin phrases-“SIGILL” and “NOVI-PORT.” Last I remember, I wasn’t taught Latin at Wexler-Grant. Additionally, the flag is so intricate and complicated that any attempts to recreate it on, say, a T‑shirt will prove futile
In fairness, the seal on our flag is the city seal, but it should stay as the city seal. City seals are meant to be read on a piece of paper, close to your face, not 50 feet away on cloth waving in the air.
We need to redesign our city flag. Whether you grew up in an American household or a foreign one or if you live in East Rock or Newhallville, your flag should unite you and your neighbors from all over the city — it should be something everyone in New Haven can take pride in
An initiative to redesign our flag will allow residents, from professional designers to art students in our public schools to get involved in our city. Throughout my tenure on the Board of Alders, I’ve learned firsthand the value of patience and taking one step at a time in a larger vision for New Haven. Redesigning our flag is that first step. In a time of such political turmoil and divisiveness in our city, this is something we can all get behind.
In the coming weeks I will be announcing a grassroots initiative/contest to redesign the New Haven flag. In the meantime, if you would like to get involved or have any thoughts/ideas, please reach out to me at ward1@newhavenct.gov. We deserve a flag by the people, for the people.
Hacibey Catalbasoglu represents Ward 1 on the Board of Alders.