Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
Hello everyone! My name is Ikechukwu Okereke, and I'm a livelong resident of the city of Syracuse. As well, I'm also a member of the Syracuse Flag Committee, and I'm here to announce that the Syracuse Flag Initiative is currently accepting submissions for the redesign of the city flag!
If you have not heard yet, since November we have been soliciting flag designs from the public. You might also not have known that Syracuse has a flag. In fact, many municipalities across the country have flags, but they are unknown and unseen to the communities they represent. The reason why, as podcaster Roman Mars noted in a 2015 TED Talk, is that these flags are poorly designed, unable to serve as a visually interesting and distinctive portrayal of cities' histories, cultures, and societies. From this Talk, and discussions all over the nation, there has been a growing movement to redesign these flags, most recently in places like Tulsa, Oklahoma, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and Pocatello, Idaho.
For past few years, Adapt CNY, a local non-profit civic organization, has been working in conjunction with the city of Syracuse, and the Common Council, particularly with Councilor-at-Large Michael Greene, to develop a citizen-led redesign of the city flag. Earlier this year, it convened community members from all different corners and walks of life to form the Flag Committee, who were selected following a call for nominations from the community in Spring 2022 for those interested in participating in the initiative. This committee met throughout the summer and early fall to create a process and guidelines inclusive enough for the diverse peoples and cultures that make up this city. We are not only interested in creating a flag that is as well-known and popular as Chicago, Washington, D.C., or Portland, but a civic symbol that can be used by all Syracusans!
If you are interested in designing a flag yourself, here are some helpful tips to start off. The North American Vexillological Association, the primer organization on vexillology (the study of flags) and vexillography (the art and practice of designing flags), has published a pamphlet written by vexillologist Ted Kaye on the basics of flag design. Good Flag, Bad Flag, lists five principles for a good flag design, which are:
1. Keep It Simple.The flag should be so simple that a child can draw it from memory.
2. Use Meaningful Symbolism.The flag's images, colors, or patterns should relate to what it symbolizes.
3. Use 2 or 3 Basic Colors.Limit the number of colors on the flag to three which contrast well and come from the standard color set.
4. No Lettering or Seals.Never use writing of any kind or an organization's seal.
5. Be Distinctive or Be Related.Avoid duplicating other flags, but use similarities to show connections.
As well, we have listed some good statements on Syracuse's history, geography, culture, and society on our website, www.syracuseflag.com, which you can use to base your design's imagery and symbolism on. They are:
Syracuse, New York is a city of 26 neighborhoods in Central New York.
Perhaps best known for its snowy winters, Syracuse boasts of a hardworking, diverse, and resilient history.
Syracuse was incorporated as a Village in 1825 and a City in 1848 on the homeland of the Onondaga people, one of the five nations of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy.
While sharing a name with the local University, Syracuse is more than one organization and is home to a wide collection of employers, cultures, and traditions.
Like the Erie Canal that once moved through the heart of the city, Syracuse has a history that flows with the exchange of ideas, cultures, and innovation.
While the history of Syracuse includes a legacy of division, conflict, and racism, the city is working towards an equitable future for all peoples.
Syracuse will be a growing city that embraces diversity and creates opportunity for all.
You can submit a flag design through an online form on our website, download, print, and mail a form to Adapt CNY at 351 South Warren Street, Suite 200, Syracuse, NY 13202, or email a form to info@adaptcny.org or flag@adaptcny.org, from now until Friday, February 17th, 2023! After the submission window closes, the Syracuse Flag Committee will be hosting a public input process and community workshops, and will be narrowing the submissions down to about 3-5 finalists. Ultimately, we will determine one design to be recommended to the Syracuse Common Council for adoption in June 2023.
If you are interested and have questions about participating, I have provided links to the fact sheet and submission form, and I'll be sticking around to answer questions! Anyone can submit a design, including nonresidents! You can also keep up with updates by subscribing to our mailing list on our website, or following us on Instagram at @syracuseflag. Thank you for your time and support, and I hope to see your designs soon! Happy New Year!
Dark blue at bottom part of flag to represent Onondaga Lake.
Green in center with wavy top to represent the hills in the city.
Light blue top like in the current Syracuse flag to represent the sky.
Very good idea and you can either put the old seal in the middle or replace it with the newer Syracuse seal from the 1980’s(maybe with an adjustment).
Maybe put an orange stripe in between the blue and green(the university), with a white stripe in between the green and light blue(snow).
Nice idea to include orange. Maybe an orange Sun in the top with a blue sky background. Or an orange colored big dipper constellation to represent the northern location of Syracuse in the US.
Nice idea to include orange. Maybe an orange Sun in the top with a blue sky background. Or an orange colored big dipper constellation to represent the northern location of Syracuse in the US.
Including white could represent snow and salt.
Good point, which was the initial major industry in the area.
I also thought about something that reflects the make up of the people of the city and history related to the Onondaga Nation, the Underground Railroad, a landing spot for immigrants/refugees/Northern migration of people of various backgrounds through the years, etc.
Last edited by ckhthankgod; 01-27-2023 at 11:32 AM..
There are only 2 more days to submit for the Syracuse Flag Initiative, which is Friday, February 17th 2023 You can do so online at our website www.syracuseflag.com, email to info@adaptcny.org or flag@adaptcny.org, mail to Adapt CNY itself at 351 South Warren Street, Suite 200, Syracuse, NY 13202, or place it in boxes set up in any of these locations. Thank you so much for all of your time and interest, and I can't wait to see your proposals soon!
Do you know how many submissions have come in this far?
I can't give you a specific number at this time, but I do know that we have received over a hundred submissions at this point.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
Reminder!
