Witchvox Article

High Flying Flags
by Sia

Like everyone else, Pagans are flying their various colors to show how they feel. Some Pagans are flying traditional American flags with pride. Flying the official U.S. flag is not a pro-war statement nor does this flag belong to any one political party. Many Pagans fly an American flag to remember the men and women who died on September 11th. Some do it as a way to celebrate the fact that they live in a free country; one that allows them the rights of free speech, freedom of religion and equal rights. Others fly the flag to honor a friend or relative currently serving in the military. www.milpagan.org/.

Some Pagan feminists I know fly the U.S. flag as a statement to those in the U.S. and abroad would like to force us back into veils and keep us in our houses. These women might like the Gadsden naval flag, the one that showed a rattlesnake (goddess?) coiled in a spiral. On the front it says: "Don't' Tread on Me". http://www.foundingfathers.info/stories/gadsden.html.

And did you know that there was once a Tree of Life or a "Liberty Tree" Flag? (I could wish they had kept that one.) Click here for a picture of the Liberty Tree flag and for more history on the American Flag: http://www.ushistory.org/betsy/flagtale.html.

Alternatively, some Pagans are flying what is known as the Peace Flag http://www.peaceflags.org/. It is an traditional American flag with the stars arranged in the form of a Peace Symbol. It's a lovely symbol and a nice alternative for those who choose not to fly the U.S. flag.

Another flag of choice among Pagans is the wonderful Earth Flag International which features a picture of our blue planet as seen from space. You can see this flag by going here: http://www.earthflag.net/. It serves as a nice reminder of the fact that we are all here on the planet together and that what we do affects life all over the globe.

My favorite flag comes from my buddy Michael at the San Jose Bookshop in San Jose, California. He made up a flag on his computer that shows the various religious symbols from around the world in the blue square and he has put this up in front this store. On the bottom it says: "We are all one".

Some people prefer to fly Prayer Flags. For those of you who are interested, here is a page on the history of the Tibetan Prayer Flag: http://www.uwec.edu/academic/curric/greidebe/BMRB/culture/student.work/schulall/.

This page shows the various flags flown by the Native Peoples of the U.S. http://hometown.aol.com/Donh523/navapage/index.htm.

This page is for the wonderful Rainbow Flag Project: http://www.rainbow-project.ch/e/regenbogenfahnen.html

Finally, did you know that the symbols on the Islamic flag come originally from Goddess worship? Here is a page that explains the history and meaning of the Islamic star and crescent: http://users.erols.com/ameen/crescent1.htm

Whatever your reasons for flying or for not flying a particular flag, I would ask that everyone in our community show tolerance and respect the rights of your brother and sister Pagans to express themselves as they see fit.

As for me, I'm looking for a Hogwarts flag.

May the wind carry your dreams safely,

Sia (Owner of Snapdragon Gifts)
Website: http://www.snapdragongifts.com
Author's Note: If you have enjoyed reading this piece, I would ask the you help support the Witches Voice in their efforts to celebrate and support the Pagan community by becoming a Witchvox Sponsor. They rely on our support to keep this non-profit website up and running, so please, do your part to help our community and send them a donation. With thanks, Sia

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Sia@FullCircle

Location: Portland, Oregon

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