this post was submitted on 04 Jun 2026
22 points (95.8% liked)

Casual UK

4638 readers
8 users here now

Casual UK

A casual place for banter and anything that doesn't fit in anywhere else.

Have chat and a natter. Talk about anything and everything that's not political!

Keep it casual.

Rules

Other communities:

Here:

Elsewhere:

founded 3 years ago
MODERATORS
 

Visiting London for a few days, and noticed a lot of half-mast flags: red cross on a white background (reminiscent of some crusaders, Templars?) any symbolism behind them being shredded? Its a lot of them, must have cost a ton of money…

all 13 comments
sorted by: hot top controversial new old
[–] Flax_vert@feddit.uk 1 points 2 days ago

The red cross and white background is St George's cross, the national flag of England. Flags on lampposts are also a thing in Northern Ireland. Sometimes in some places they are neglected and not replaced, so just get worn down over time.

[–] wiccan2@thelemmy.club 25 points 5 days ago (1 children)

Its the flag of England, racists have been hanging them up all year.

They're half mast because the racists are too stupid or too scared to get a longer ladder.

No idea why they're shredded but they tend to use cheap Chinese made flags that don't hold up to the weather.

[–] yakko@feddit.uk 7 points 5 days ago (1 children)

Do you think they sell them pre-distressed? Like designer jeans?

[–] Skua@kbin.earth 8 points 5 days ago (1 children)

Oh, it's an interesting story, this one! It's actually the flag of Genoa https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genoa#Flag

There's a fairly large community in the area descended from Genoans who fled to London when Napoleon invaded. Those Genoans brought their flags with them to prevent Napoleon from capturing them, to sort of say "you've got the land, but you'll never get Genoa". Their descendents today still fly those same historic flags each year on the day that their first ship landed in London

Also, of course, lying is a popular hobby on the internet

[–] AwesomeLowlander@sh.itjust.works 1 points 5 days ago* (last edited 5 days ago) (1 children)

Asian here, I see no reason to distrust you.

[–] NigelFrobisher@aussie.zone 2 points 5 days ago

You can keep your horses and recurve bows to yourself!

[–] Korhaka@sopuli.xyz 6 points 5 days ago (1 children)

Got them round here too, look like complete shit. Get a proper flag and flagpole you bellends.

[–] Flax_vert@feddit.uk 1 points 2 days ago

In Northern Ireland, it's become so commonplace that they kind of have like a frame attached to the lampposts now to accommodate them and hang them vertically. It actually looks rather pretty when done properly. I saw a similar thing in China as well.

[–] NigelFrobisher@aussie.zone 1 points 5 days ago* (last edited 5 days ago)

They’ve been at half-mast ever since Mr Bean drove the princess of our hearts into a pillar in that Paris underpass. NEVER FORGET.