Flags

The imperial household of this nation adopted a 16-petal floral mon as its official chrysanthemum seal during the Meiji Restoration era. Its passport cover bears a golden embossed version of this same symbol, used exclusively by the imperial family since 1869. The Order of the Chrysanthemum, the highest state honor of this country, also features this emblem prominently. Its national flag, known as the Nisshōki, pairs a red disc on white with this chrysanthemum symbolism in official imperial contexts. Name this East Asian island nation whose imperial chrysanthemum symbol has appeared on its state seals and currency for over 150 years.

Hint: Think 16 petals, rising sun flag, and the Meiji era — all roads lead to the Land of the Chrysanthemum Throne.

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This territory was once the center of the Indian Ocean spice trade and served as the capital of the Omani Empire's East African holdings. Its Stone Town district is a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its blend of Arab, Persian, Indian, and European architecture. British colonial rule here ended in 1963, followed almost immediately by a violent revolution that overthrew the Arab sultan. In 1964, it merged with mainland Tanganyika to form a new nation, and the resulting flag's diagonal black stripe bordered in gold symbolizes this union. What territory's combination with Tanganyika created modern Tanzania?

Hint: TanZANia literally contains ZANZIBAR's name — the Z-A-N in Tanzania comes from Zanzibar.

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This flag was officially adopted on January 25, 1839, making it one of the oldest state flags in the United States. It features a vertical blue stripe on the left side occupying one-third of the flag's total width. A single large white five-pointed star is centered within that blue stripe, symbolizing Texas's history as an independent republic. The remaining two-thirds of the flag is divided horizontally into a white stripe on top and a red stripe on the bottom. What is the nickname for this distinctive flag of Texas?

Hint: One star, one republic — Texas stood alone before joining the union, and its flag never let the world forget it.

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This bird appears on the seal of Illinois holding a shield and a banner reading 'State Sovereignty, National Union.' It is the same bird that appears on the Great Seal of the United States, adopted as a national symbol in 1782. Illinois incorporated this bird into its state flag when the flag was redesigned in 1969 following a campaign by a Korean War veteran who felt the state name needed to be added. Often called the symbol of American freedom, this raptor is found across North America and is known for its distinctive white head and tail feathers. What bird prominently features on the flag of Illinois and is also part of its state seal?

Hint: The same bird on the U.S. Great Seal also soars on Illinois's flag — both symbols of American national identity.

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This country's national symbol consists of two stacked pennon shapes derived from ancient royal and prime ministerial standards merged in 1962. Its flag features a white moon symbol on the upper pennon and a white sun on the lower pennon, both set against a crimson red background bordered in blue. The flag's unique double-pennant shape gives it a height-to-width ratio unlike any other sovereign nation's banner. It is the only national flag in the world that is not a quadrilateral, making it instantly recognizable in any flag display. What is the only country in the world whose national flag is non-rectangular?

Hint: Think of the Himalayas — the world's most unique flag belongs to the nation that hosts the world's tallest peak.

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