The Portland flag is unknown by most students at Lincoln, but well known for sophomore Ian Conine Reyes.
The Portland flag features green in the corners, blue streaks running in four opposite directions off the edges of the flag, and yellow lines around the blue. These colors, according to chapter 1.06 of the Portland City Codes, signify the forests that surround our city, the Columbia and Willamette rivers and the agriculture and farming in Portland.
“I really like it. It’s a lot better than other US flags,” said Reyes. “I like the almost Scandinavian aspects of it, like the Norwegian and the Finnish flag. I like the colors too, [but] I feel like the [yellow] is a bit too bright.”
Lincoln art teacher Hope Ferns has her own opinions on the flag.
“I know that a lot of flag designs are intentional … [but] I’m not the biggest fan of the color combinations,” says Ferns.
Overall, the Portland flag is generally respected, as it ranks 7th in the North American Vexillological Association.
Reyes finds himself analyzing the meanings and techniques of flag-making. This is known as vexillology. Vexillologists find flags around the world to not only analyze but also redesign them in an attempt to create a better flag.
Reyes found himself interested in the study of flags through friends introducing him to it. He was enticed by the creative designs in the different flags and how the designers used colors and symbols to create a deeper meaning.
Some of these flags that he believes fit this criteria are the Saint Lucia flag, and the Seychelles flag. These flags have vibrant colors, which all have their individual meanings, and come together to represent their country.
Reyes has a list of his criteria for what he considers to be a good flag.
“It needs to be uncomplicated but have colors that actually represent something and have a unified design,” said Reyes.
