This week’s theme for the 52 Snapshots of Life Photo Challenge is FLAG. I suspect that is the case because Flag Day was back on June 14.

Don’t know what Flag Day is? Don’t worry I didn’t either. Turns out it is a day to commemorate the adoption of the flag of the United States. Other countries like Australia and Canada also celebrate similar days, but of course they fall on different dates.

I should probably celebrate Flag Day with open arms because in theory it should take a little bit of excitement away from Independence Day (July 4th), which also happens to be my birthday. Try sharing your birthday with a whole country! No one ever comes to your party. Just kidding (..but not really).

Luna investigates the flag of the United States

Now that I’ve given a good shout out to the flag of the United States, I thought it would be fun to explore what countries feature at least one animal on their flag.

I dove into the CIA World Factbook (which I probably last used for an elementary school project) to peruse the flags of the world. Turns out there are no dogs or cats or chinchillas. However, there is no shortage of eagles. Gold eagles, white eagles, yellow eagles, and even bald eagles. Lions follow in a close second.

One of my favorite flags has always been from Peru, but during my research I was surprised to learn that it isn’t a Llama on the Peruvian flag. It is a Vicuña! Who knew there were so many fantastic Camelids?

I think the flag of South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands now also tops my list. They managed to squeeze a Macaroni Penguin, Fur Seal, Golden Lion, and Reindeer onto one flag!

Take a gander at all the country flags I could find with an animal featured. My current count is 36 flags. If I missed one, don’t blame me. Blame the CIA. If I did miss one, be sure to let me know in the comments below!

Flag of Albania

Albania – Two Headed Eagle

Flag of American Samoa

American Samoa – Eagle

Flag of Andorra

Andorra – Cattle

Flag of Bermuda

Bermuda – Lion

Flag of Bhutan

Bhutan – Druk (Thunder Dragon)

Flag of Cayman Islands

Cayman Islands – Turtle (seafaring tradition), Golden Lion (Great Britain)

Flag of Christmas Island

Christmas Island – Golden Bosun Bird

Flag of Croatia

Croatia – Goat, Marten (national animal)

Flag of Dominica

Dominica – Sisserou parrot, which is only found in Dominica

Flag of Ecuador

Ecuador – Condor

Flag of Egypt

Egypt – Eagle of Saladin

Flag of Falkland Island

Falkland Island (Islss Malvinas) – White Ram

Flag of Fiji

Fiji – White Dove, Lion

Flag of Guatemala

Guatemala – Green and Red Quetzal (national bird)

Flag of Jersey

Jersey – Gold Lions

Flag of Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan – Gold Eagle

Flag of Kiribati

Kiribati – Frigate Bird

Flag of Mexico

Mexico – Eagle with Snake

Flag of Moldova

Moldova – Roman Eagle, Cow

Flag of Montenegro

Montenegro – Two Headed Eagle, Lion

Flag of Papua New Guinea

Papua New Guinea – Yellow Bird of Paradise

Flag of Peru

Peru – Vicuña

Flag of Poland

Poland (Variant) – Crowned Eagle

Flag of Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunha

Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunha – White Plover (Wire Bird)

Flag of Saint Pierre and Miquelon

Saint Pierre and Miquelon – Lions

Flag of Serbia

Serbia – Two Headed Eagle

Flag of Sint Maarten

Sint Maarten – Brown Pelican

Flag of South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands

South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands – Macaroni Penguin, Fur Seal, Golden Lion, Reindeer

Flag of Spain

Spain – Lion

Flag of Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka – Lion

Flag of Turks and Caicos Islands

Turks and Caicos Islands – Conch, Spiny Lobster

Flag of Uganda

Uganda – Grey Crowned Crane (national symbol)

Flag of Virgin Islands

Virgin Islands – Eagle

Flag of Wales

Wales – Red Dragon

Flag of Zambia

Zambia – Gold Eagle

Flag of Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe – Yellow Zimbabwe Bird

Luna wears red, white, and blue for the flag of the United States

Which country flag is your favorite?

If you’d like to see more photos from our 52 Snapshots of Life Photo Challenge, you can view them all over in my Flickr 52 Snapshots of Life photo album.

Don’t forget to visit last week’s post to see how Luna in pure COMFORT and come back next week to see how we celebrate FATHERS.

Jessica Shipman
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