Words on City Flags
Hi Lee,
I know that NAVA guidelines indicate that there should not be words on a City Flag design, but should a City strongly desire to have the city and state names on the flag, is it appropriate to have the comma between the city and the state? I have seen it both ways but more commonly, it seems, there is no comma between the city and state.
Thank you,
Teri
Thanks for you note below and question. You are right, we generally recommend that the symbol of the city be so pronounced that words would not be needed. It makes the difference between a flag that sits in a corner and a flag that people like and want to use.
A flag is a visible symbol of the invisible bond in the city. That is, when the city as whole stands up and speaks, a flag expresses that unity and cohesion, something everyone agrees on.
No one can tell any city their flag is correct or not. If the people of the city like and use their flag, that is all that is required of a flag.
Therefore, either way on the comma is correct. In my opinion, I would leave out the comma for 2 reasons. First, it is simpler. Second, it does not add to the flag, and anything that does not add to the flag should not be on it.
Hope this helps you.
Herold Lee