Alliance Flags and Symbols
POSTED BY: Kozure
UPDATED: Friday, March 19, 2004 01:57
VIEWED: 9430
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The Alliance (non-canonically termed the Anglo-Sino Alliance according to the script of "Serenity") seems to use at least two different symbols, as seen in Serenity and the Train Job.
*potential episode spoilers, if you haven't seen either episode*
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In "Serenity", the ration bars salvaged from the wrecked personnel carrier have an design on the wrapper (or they are imprinted, either way). It appears to be an oval with vertical stripes on the two ends emblazoned with stars, a few more stripes down either side of the middle and two Chinese characters in the centre. This same symbol appears later on the arm patches of the Federal troops in "The Train Job" and can also be briefly seen on the computer 'port authority' screen that Kaylee fiddles with when Serenity touches down at the Eavesdown Docks of Persephone in "Serenity". A similar-appearing symbol is found on the "Intergalactic Pilot's License" as issued to Malcolm Reynolds and included as part of the Firefly Press Kit. This time the shape is circular, but the common theme of a round shape with vertical stripes, two stars and two Chinese characters in the centre can be seen.
The other symbol seen is understood to be the flag of the Alliance. It appears on the boxes of Pascaline D in the train shipment to Paradiso in "The Train Job". Although almost always in the dark, the flag can be fairly clearly identified as being similar to a People's Republic of China flag superimposed over a modified United States of America flag.
The differences between the flag of the Alliance and the two flags mentioned are as follows:
The "American flag" underneath the Chinese flag has a blue field which takes up the left half of the flag's width, instead of the upper left hoist-side quarter canton which is found in the current US flag. There do appear to be thirteen red and white stripes, though it is difficult to make out clearly. There are no white stars in the blue field.
The "Chinese flag" on top is very similar to the modern Chinese flag, with the addition of a second large star and centring the two large stars and the four smaller arcing stars on the left half of the field, instead of the upper left hoist-side corner.
My take on these two symbols is that the "flag" is indeed the flag of the Alliance, while the other symbol is the "Seal" of the Alliance.
The symbology of the combination of flags in the Alliance flag is very interesting. The fact that the Chinese flag is superimposed is quite telling, but also the fact that the single central star of the Chinese flag is replaced by two large stars, one slightly offset. The four smaller stars arranged in an arc in front of the others have been interpreted to mean in the current Chinese flag to represent the Chinese people - the peasants, the workers, the petty burgeoisie and the patriotic capitalists - but this interpretation is one of many. The central large star, however, has always been understood to represent the Communist Party of China and its central authority.
I think it is safe to say that the addition of the second, larger star is meant to represent the other partner in the Alliance - the "Anglo" forces of either the US or a US-UK Alliance.
The fact that two stars also figurely largely in the "seal" leads me to believe that this is what the stars represent. They could also be loosely interpreted to represent Londinium, mentioned in an interview with Joss Whedon as being one of two main Core planets, the other star symbolizing Sihnon.
My question to all you rabidly detail-seeking Browncoats out there is:
"What do the two Chinese characters on the 'seal' mean?"
Kozure the Kamikaze Highlander
Proud Citizen of Canada-That-Was
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The Chinese characters mean "alliance."
同盟
(same form in traditional and simplified characters)
pronounced: tong2meng2
(tong2 "together" + meng2 "alliance"; tone 2 is a high, rising tone)
You can also see them on the metal chest pins of the Alliance commanders in "Serenity," "Bushwhacked," and "Safe"; the door of the Sheriff's office in "The Train Job"; the Tam arrest warrant in "Objects in Space"; and the food "rations" in the press kit.
See more on my site:
http://fireflychinese.home.att.net/visible.html
Ying
Firefly Funsite http://fireflyfunsite.home.att.net
Firefly Chinese Pinyinary http://fireflychinese.home.att.net
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always good to hear from you ffying2
xie xie ni
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Thanks for the insight, ffying2.
I suspected that they might mean "Alliance" - it's the most obvious choice - but then again the most obvious choice isn't always the right one.
Kozure the Kamikaze Highlander
Proud Citizen of Canada-That-Was
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Quote:
Originally posted by Kozure:
Thanks for the insight, ffying2.
You're welcome, Kozure. Is that "kozure" as in Japanese 子連れ , (accompanied by child, with child in tow)?
-----
Quote:
Originally posted by flametree:
always good to hear from you ffying2
xie xie ni
Wow, xie xie back.
Ying
Firefly Funsite http://fireflyfunsite.home.att.net
Firefly Chinese Pinyinary http://fireflychinese.home.att.net
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Ni Hao kozure / ffying2
yes inspired by hearing people speak mandarin worse than I do and by your great pingyingary I have started taking lessons to improve my very poor knowledge.
Ni3 shi3 wo3 lao3shi ffying2.
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Quote:
You're welcome, Kozure. Is that "kozure" as in Japanese 子連れ , (accompanied by child, with child in tow)?
Yes, it's a nod to Kozure Okami, the 'baby-cart samurai' of "Lone Wolf and Cub" graphic novel, movie and TV show fame.
I like the nickname because it's the name of one of my favourite fictional characters, and the six letters rearranged can refer obliquely to my real initials. "k.z.o. u r e"
My wife likes the nickname because she thinks I'll be a great dad someday (God-willing).
I'm wondering if any other Alliance symbology has been seen.
Kozure the Kamikaze Highlander
Proud Citizen of Canada-That-Was
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I just posted my first cut at the Alliance flag in the Blue Sun Room. Please provide any feedback especially on the proportions and the placement of the stars. -- Trooper
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Question for Ying:
Just found the pinyinary, thanks so much for doing that work! For the Chinese-impaired among us, what font can you use to get the characters (in, say, a graphic *ahem*) and where can we find some way of finding that character on the keyboard? I'm sure there's something out there on the net but I don't even know what to punch into google...
xie xie!
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