2012
Stories Behind the World’s Most Obscure Flags
The eight most intriguing national flags across the globe. The Olympics are a time for each country to showcase their national flags and one of the few times many people get to admire some of the lesser-known flags. Listed below are eight of the most obscure and intriguing flags across the globe. #8: Mozambique Mozambique strives to be different with their flag, by including an AK-47 assault rifle and a bayonet in its national emblem. In 2005, they held a design contest for a replacement flag but so far, the machine gun remains. #7: Iran What may appear as a standard tricolor flag at first, this flag has a hidden message. Upon close inspection, between each stripe is a stylized calligraphy that reads “Allahu Akbar” (God is Great) and is repeated 22 times in two rows of 11. The numerology 11/22 symbolizes the Persian calendar equivalent of February 11, the date of the 1979 Islamic revolution. #6: Denmark The oldest state flag legend says God drew up this design personally. During the Battle of Lyndanisse in 1219, a Danish priest supposedly defeated his enemies by praying for a miracle, after which this flag fell from the heavens. All Nordic flags … 
