Weekday flags are certainly silly, but around here there’s no innovation too silly to pursue.

In Episode 55, Ashby observes that while many entities and communities have flags representing them, there is a noticeable absence of flags that symbolize days of the week.

This absence seems odd considering the significant role that days of the week play in structuring our lives and routines.

Such flags could become popular, with people potentially embracing them enthusiastically. For instance, a Friday flag might be widely celebrated and flown with excitement, signaling the end of the workweek and the beginning of the weekend.

For example, here’s an example of a Friday flag created by our local LLM.

Conversely, a Monday flag might be less enthusiastically received, reflecting the common sentiment about that day famously expressed by Garfield and many others.

Here’s another one that might be used for Monday.

The idea stems from the observation that while various entities have flags, the days of the week — which are fundamental to our routine and life structure — do not have any such symbols.

The concept of a flag representing a community or a group of people dates back centuries, and it’s challenging to pinpoint the exact origin of the first flag used in this way. However, one of the earliest known flags used to represent a community or a nation is the flag of Denmark, known as the Dannebrog.

The Dannebrog is often cited as one of the oldest national flags still in use. According to legend, it first appeared during the Battle of Lyndanisse in Estonia in 1219. The story goes that during a critical point in the battle, the flag fell from the sky and was caught by King Valdemar II of Denmark, giving his troops hope and leading them to victory. Historically, the Dannebrog has been officially acknowledged since the 14th century, making it one of the earliest national flags.

Flags as symbols for communities, however, have likely been used in various forms even before this. Ancient civilizations, including the Romans and Greeks, used vexilloids (flag-like symbols) and standards to represent their legions or specific groups within their armies. These standards often bore unique insignia or symbols representative of the legion’s identity or the ruler’s emblem.

In a broader historical context, flags have been used as symbols of identity, power, and community affiliation for thousands of years, evolving from simple markers to complex representations of national identity, cultural heritage, and communal unity.

Here’s a deeper look into this concept:

1. Symbolism of Weekdays: Each day of the week has its own character and connotation. For instance, Monday is often associated with the start of the workweek, bringing with it a sense of beginning, or for many, a kind of dread. Conversely, Friday is associated with the end of the workweek and the onset of the weekend, often carrying a feeling of relief and anticipation for leisure time. These sentiments could be creatively captured and represented through flags.
2. Design Aspects: The flags could vary in color, design, and symbols to represent the essence of each day. For instance, a Monday flag might be designed with more muted colors or symbols representing new starts or challenges, while a Friday flag could be brighter, more vibrant, symbolizing celebration and relaxation.
3. Cultural and Social Impact: Such flags could become cultural symbols, representing the collective feelings or attitudes towards the days of the week. They could be used in various settings, such as workplaces, schools, or public spaces, as a way to acknowledge the day’s mood or societal connotations.
4. Community and Expression: These flags could also serve as a form of expression and community building. People might rally around a particular day’s flag, perhaps as a humorous way to express their feelings about that day or as part of special weekly rituals or celebrations.
5. Potential for Customization: Beyond the general sentiment that days like Monday or Friday might evoke, different communities or groups could customize their weekday flags to reflect their unique cultures, professions, or attitudes.

The concept of weekday flags essentially takes a mundane aspect of daily life — the days of the week — and infuses it with a sense of identity, expression, and even celebration. It’s a playful yet insightful way to acknowledge how the rhythm of the week shapes our lives and emotions.