NorthStar Flags

50years as husband and wife could already be classified as stuff made for the Guinness Book of World Records. Considering that divorce comes in handy in the United States, lasting marriages are becoming very rare.

So, when I was invited to a 50year-wedding anniversary I really grab at the opportunity to witness this almost historic event. This was purely a family affair as can be seen from the guest’s list. The patriarch of the family had produced eight siblings and the siblings had managed a total of seventy-five grandchildren, while 15 great grandchildren already in offing. Put them all packed together in one place, like the church and reception, then you have a whole community.

The affair starts at the church with the renewal of vows. The church and reception area was not designed for a usual wedding, although there were still bunches of flowers all over, what caught my attention were the anniversary flags that vie for the attention of the guests. I stared at one closely and found 50 and anniversary written neatly on it, although the color of the flag was in pastel, not bright as I expected.

As the entourage started walking “Oh how we danced on the night we were wed” could be heard softly from an invited guest or was it a recording from Bing Crosby, I’m just not certain. But the rendition was so extraordinary that I dreamed, I could also tread the same path someday. Although I feel that it needs a lot of resolve to be married for this long.

At the reception what happened at the church was the exact opposite. With everybody part of the family, it was riotous, rowdy and really fun.

50years as husband and wife could already be classified as stuff made for the Guinness Book of World Records. Considering that divorce comes in handy in the United States, lasting marriages are becoming very rare.

So, when I was invited to a 50year-wedding anniversary I really grab at the opportunity to witness this almost historic event. This was purely a family affair as can be seen from the guest’s list. The patriarch of the family had produced eight siblings and the siblings had managed a total of seventy-five grandchildren, while 15 great grandchildren already in offing. Put them all packed together in one place, like the church and reception, then you have a whole community.

The affair starts at the church with the renewal of vows. The church and reception area was not designed for a usual wedding, although there were still bunches of flowers all over, what caught my attention were the anniversary flags that vie for the attention of the guests. I stared at one closely and found 50 and anniversary written neatly on it, although the color of the flag was in pastel, not bright as I expected.

As the entourage started walking “Oh how we danced on the night we were wed” could be heard softly from an invited guest or was it a recording from Bing Crosby, I’m just not certain. But the rendition was so extraordinary that I dreamed, I could also tread the same path someday. Although I feel that it needs a lot of resolve to be married for this long.

At the reception what happened at the church was the exact opposite. With everybody part of the family, it was riotous, rowdy and really fun.

I read an article about a man, 90 years old, living alone and unable to call for help because his phone line had been dead for 30 days. And he could not even walk freely outside his residence since he had been disabled for quite some time.

What the heck, he must have a cell phone always within reach so someone can come in any emergency. But a man of his age may not know a cell phone exists and if he had one it would be next to impossible for him to operate or even touch the button; otherwise, what if his place is a dead spot for cell phone signals?

In his case, he just sat beside by the window and hope to catch the attention of passersby. Luckily two small girls on an errand saw his situation and called the police. What if it was really an emergency?

The next big thing for him would be to use “please call police banners,” strip the flag out of the case and post it on his windowpane, and some Samaritan would be able to call for help. Shouting and extending bodily gestures may not help in an emergency.

Does a “please call police banner” really exist, how does it look? First of all this type of banner is three feet long and nine inches wide, in a sense it really is a strip. This is painted in emergency orange and has an adhesive strip on its top and bottom. In any emergency simply post the banner and help would come.

This is important if you are traveling alone in a car, at least have a pair to post in your windshield should you need help.

I read an article about a man, 90 years old, living alone and unable to call for help because his phone line had been dead for 30 days. And he could not even walk freely outside his residence since he had been disabled for quite some time.

What the heck, he must have a cell phone always within reach so someone can come in any emergency. But a man of his age may not know a cell phone exists and if he had one it would be next to impossible for him to operate or even touch the button; otherwise, what if his place is a dead spot for cell phone signals?

In his case, he just sat beside by the window and hope to catch the attention of passersby. Luckily two small girls on an errand saw his situation and called the police. What if it was really an emergency?

The next big thing for him would be to use “please call police banners,” strip the flag out of the case and post it on his windowpane, and some Samaritan would be able to call for help. Shouting and extending bodily gestures may not help in an emergency.

Does a “please call police banner” really exist, how does it look? First of all this type of banner is three feet long and nine inches wide, in a sense it really is a strip. This is painted in emergency orange and has an adhesive strip on its top and bottom. In any emergency simply post the banner and help would come.

This is important if you are traveling alone in a car, at least have a pair to post in your windshield should you need help.

Why do festivals always have flags, what does it signify? Recollection of this cultural development dates back to the ancient Tibetan Buddhist tradition of hanging flags “to put the world in harmony with itself”, and also as a wish for passage into a new territory, a new town perhaps or when moving into a new home.

Practice had it that to achieve harmony with a new environment one must hang flags that would represent the five different elements; yellow for water; green for earth; red for fire; white for air and blue for space. And all of these flags must be decorated and hand painted with symbolic drawings and must have words of hope normally in fine lettering.

Aside from harmony that the flag brings, these festive and colorful symbols reminds us of basic human values; it starts with compassion; one must always exhaust his patience; always practice wisdom; must have a big reserve for understanding; and above all love not just for oneself but to all, not for any particular individual but the environment as well.

Children likewise who join the festival, must select a square of colored fabric and together with a knife create a dream or wish flag with their parent or friend, so the elements will be able to provide the type of balance for each hopes and ambition to be fulfilled.

So, flags are not really devised for decorative purposes only but were created with a special intent for everybody to be more conscious and take care of our environment.

Strive for success, preserve our environment, hang these festival flags.

Why do festivals always have flags, what does it signify? Recollection of this cultural development dates back to the ancient Tibetan Buddhist tradition of hanging flags “to put the world in harmony with itself”, and also as a wish for passage into a new territory, a new town perhaps or when moving into a new home.

Practice had it that to achieve harmony with a new environment one must hang flags that would represent the five different elements; yellow for water; green for earth; red for fire; white for air and blue for space. And all of these flags must be decorated and hand painted with symbolic drawings and must have words of hope normally in fine lettering.

Aside from harmony that the flag brings, these festive and colorful symbols reminds us of basic human values; it starts with compassion; one must always exhaust his patience; always practice wisdom; must have a big reserve for understanding; and above all love not just for oneself but to all, not for any particular individual but the environment as well.

Children likewise who join the festival, must select a square of colored fabric and together with a knife create a dream or wish flag with their parent or friend, so the elements will be able to provide the type of balance for each hopes and ambition to be fulfilled.

So, flags are not really devised for decorative purposes only but were created with a special intent for everybody to be more conscious and take care of our environment.

Strive for success, preserve our environment, hang these festival flags.

June is almost over, have you already planned your wedding? Then here’s for the book.

Tired of the usual wedding arrangement, particularly the venue setting? Then it is time to add color to this special day by using wedding flags. This style has been a standard practice during Balinese weddings, though in the genuine settings white has always been used.

Balinese white wedding flags are traditionally called umbul umbul could be the special ornament that you have been looking for. Wedding is a once in a lifetime affair and to make it really special, imagine walking in an aisle flanked with these Balinese flags fluttering in the wind, what a great backdrop for your photo and video memento.

If you are the daring type, you can opt for other colors instead of white but select one that typifies your personality and satisfies the meaning of the hue. For starters, white is for purity, humility, balance and divine healing; purple is for calmness, intuition, and soothing spiritual perspective; blue covers inspiration, faith, devotion, understanding and contentment; while pink suggests harmonious relationship and love. There are still other colors available, just grab a copy of the list and plan from there.

Also these flags are not only effective as a wedding ornament but advertisement as well. Just add your company logo, then eureka! You have an instant product endorsement with only minimal cost. You have completed the most important phase in your life and also gave a decent exposure to your company.

Besides these flags can also be distributed to guests as souvenir for the affair.

June is almost over, have you already planned your wedding? Then here’s for the book.

Tired of the usual wedding arrangement, particularly the venue setting? Then it is time to add color to this special day by using wedding flags. This style has been a standard practice during Balinese weddings, though in the genuine settings white has always been used.

Balinese white wedding flags are traditionally called umbul umbul could be the special ornament that you have been looking for. Wedding is a once in a lifetime affair and to make it really special, imagine walking in an aisle flanked with these Balinese flags fluttering in the wind, what a great backdrop for your photo and video memento.

If you are the daring type, you can opt for other colors instead of white but select one that typifies your personality and satisfies the meaning of the hue. For starters, white is for purity, humility, balance and divine healing; purple is for calmness, intuition, and soothing spiritual perspective; blue covers inspiration, faith, devotion, understanding and contentment; while pink suggests harmonious relationship and love. There are still other colors available, just grab a copy of the list and plan from there.

Also these flags are not only effective as a wedding ornament but advertisement as well. Just add your company logo, then eureka! You have an instant product endorsement with only minimal cost. You have completed the most important phase in your life and also gave a decent exposure to your company.

Besides these flags can also be distributed to guests as souvenir for the affair.

One of the best times to visit Japan is on July as it coincides with the Gion Yamagasa (Matsuri Festival). This festival happens before and after the fourth Saturday of July, Friday through Sunday and for three days the Yamagasa is paraded around town. This is culture at its best in Japan.

What is a “Yamagasa”? Officially, these are very large colorful floats and the focal point of the festival. Actually the four regions (Higashi, Nishi, Tenraiji and Nakabaru) builds each a large Yamagasa for the men, small one for boys intended solely for the festival. So, all in all there are eight main floats during the festival.

During the day the large floats with twelve great flags hoisted are carried for the parade, followed by the smaller floats for children. But at night, all the floats are transformed into a flotilla of pyramids of light-huge lanterns complete with colorful decorations. Each Yamagasa with 12 layers of 309 lanterns, 10 meters high, and over 1.5 tons in weight is carried on the shoulders of about 100 men.

As the entourage moves around town it lights the surrounding landscape and the effect is truly breathtaking. To move the Yamagasa is in itself already an art, because it needs the concerted effort of each of the 100 carriers. And to be certain that it glides successfully, carriers all in unison shout “yoitosa, yoitosa” in rhythmic chant accompanied by drums and cymbals.

This festival is actually a celebration as all the villagers who in 1802, were cured from an epidemic through the intercession of Suga-taijin.

One of the best times to visit Japan is on July as it coincides with the Gion Yamagasa (Matsuri Festival). This festival happens before and after the fourth Saturday of July, Friday through Sunday and for three days the Yamagasa is paraded around town. This is culture at its best in Japan.

What is a “Yamagasa”? Officially, these are very large colorful floats and the focal point of the festival. Actually the four regions (Higashi, Nishi, Tenraiji and Nakabaru) builds each a large Yamagasa for the men, small one for boys intended solely for the festival. So, all in all there are eight main floats during the festival.

During the day the large floats with twelve great flags hoisted are carried for the parade, followed by the smaller floats for children. But at night, all the floats are transformed into a flotilla of pyramids of light-huge lanterns complete with colorful decorations. Each Yamagasa with 12 layers of 309 lanterns, 10 meters high, and over 1.5 tons in weight is carried on the shoulders of about 100 men.

As the entourage moves around town it lights the surrounding landscape and the effect is truly breathtaking. To move the Yamagasa is in itself already an art, because it needs the concerted effort of each of the 100 carriers. And to be certain that it glides successfully, carriers all in unison shout “yoitosa, yoitosa” in rhythmic chant accompanied by drums and cymbals.

This festival is actually a celebration as all the villagers who in 1802, were cured from an epidemic through the intercession of Suga-taijin.