Frek Niawaf Rambutan

NAME

Frek Niawaf Rambutan (lit. 'The Guiding Eye') is the Rukialkotta name for Gruenberg's state flag. The name derives from a nickname first applied to the very first national flag. This in turn comes from the traditional name of the constellation depicted on all Wenaist flags, thought to have been coined by early explorers who used the stars as part of their celestial navigation techniques. The name was only formally adopted in The 651st Year under one of the provisions of The Formalisation Of Language Act.

COMPONENTS

There are three distinct components to Gruenberg's flag, each significant in its own right.

The eight purple circles are common to all Wenaist flags. They show the star sign that, in mythology, was created by The Four Sages casting sacred stones into the sky. Purple circles are to be found everywhere in Gruenberg, and the symbol has been used on every flag Gruenberg has ever had.

The dark green background has traditionally been another common feature of Gruenberg flags over the years. The colour has no religious or political significance, but is unofficially acknowledged by many to be the 'national colour'. Most national sports teams wear dark green, and the colour has been incorporated into all military uniforms.

The red and gold bands that occupy the top left quarter are the official standard of the Woltzten house. Their incorporation into the state flag has been more recent, although at one point they were featured more prominently. Their symbolism is unknown.

HISTORY

When the formation of The Grand Duchy of Naffarron was first announced in The 63rd Year, the flag chosen was simply that of Wenaism, in recognition of the nation's arrival as the first fully Wenaist country. The flag showed the 'Guiding Eye' constellation on a white background. However, it did not last long, as the need for some form of national, rather than solely religious, emblem became apparent.

The first flag of The Grand Duchy of Naffarron

For some time, a variety of different flags were tried out. Many of the designs have since been lost. It also appears that there was far from universal agreement about any particular 'official' flag, and that more than one was used concurrently. Below are some of the known emblems used during Gruenberg's second century. The origin of the colours and patterns is unknown.

The two key points to note from these early designs are the increasing prominence of dark green, and the orientation of the circles, at that time still angled over. Perhaps understandably, a natural choice emerged. This version remained the national flag from its institution in The 192nd Year through to around The 350th Year, and can still be seen on many old buildings and temples. For some reason, the decision was taken by Grand Duke Flonde to introduce a flag with an upright alignment of the holy constellation. This new version remained the symbol of The Grand Duchy through to its demise in The 436th Year.

In The 436th Year, The War Of The Age Of Reawakening began. The powerful Woltzten house led their followers to a swift and decisive victory, and declared the birth of a new nation: Gruenberg, a Sultanate to be led by the chief of the Woltzten house. Keen to quickly establish their authority, the new Court naturally sought a new flag. Their solution, to superimpose the symbol of Wenaism on their own red-and-gold band emblem was not well-received, but was kept in place for thirty years. Finally, after realizing that their attempt to unite the nation behind them was being turned into a weapon by their opponents, the Court gave way, and introduced a panel of dark green into the top left, this new flag being brought in under Garbab IV in The 467th Year.

The first Gruenberg flag The modified version introduced thirty years later

Over the next two centuries further versions were tried. None lasted long. The three known examples are shown below with their approximate dates of use.

512-540 540-612 612-678; introduced to celebrate the conquest of the Gelzien Nub

The flag in its current form was first designed by Grand Vizier Hochtep Swimmen, then chief advisor to Polrak II, in The 679th Year, and instituted a year later. Pushing the Woltzten colours to the corner produced murmurs of discontent, but represented a much more acceptable compromise to the people at large. The flag has not been replaced since. Its proportions are 99x70.

The current Gruenberg flag

MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION

In The 612th Year, Gruenberg finally won the War Of Righteous Enlightenment, and claimed conquest of the Gelzien Nub. In celebration, a new flag was introduced (see above). However, as news of atrocities committed by Gruenberger troops against Gelzien natives filtered back home, student radicals at the University of Flurthwel launched a massive demonstration march, culminating in the symbolic burning of some 200 flags. The Act Of Incineration was immediately passed by Court decree, and flag burning became illegal, punishable by being burned at the stake. In The 731st Year, there were 31 convictions, 4 up from the previous year. Defacement of the image in any way is a criminal offence. It should also be noted that the flag has never incorporated any aspect of the Gelzien emblems into its design.

The flag appears on all Court offices and buildings, as well as in every temple, classroom and lecture theatre. It features on everything from notes and coins to military and sporting badges. Patriotic Gruenbergers often fly it from their homes. Students begin schooldays by saluting the flag.

In The 729th Year, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the current design, 4,000 students wearing coloured uniforms joined together in the Kampfert fields outside Flurthwel to form a giant 'human flag'. Aerial photographs were taken, and commonly appear on celebratory memorabilia and postcards.