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Why Are Purple Flags So Rare?
The short answer: Sea snails
It’s easy to forget, but a flag’s design is of the utmost importance. Color, layout, and creativity all go a long way to inspiring the citizenry or, conversely, making them ashamed that this was the best their government could come up with.
Take Tampa, Florida’s flag for instance (no, not a country but God is it a monstrosity). It wasn’t even designed by a graphic designer, but by an accountant. According to the Tampa Bay Times, most Tampeños have no clue the city even has a flag. Those who are aware aren’t very happy.
“I was proud to carry it because I’m proud to represent our city. But I’m not proud this is the flag that represents our city,” said one city council member, who served as a flag bearer in a relatively recent public event.
Now, look at the Albanian flag. Its bold red background makes it easily stand out. Moreover is has a dark silhouette of a double-headed eagle plastered on the front symbolizing the Byzantine Empire, which Albania once belonged to.
It’s so cool.
However, there’s one element in modern flags you are sure to never find and that’s the color purple. In fact, only three countries of the 195 in existence have ever used purple in their flags.
