Flags of the Poké-World

Flags of the Poké-World

Table of contents

NUR

The existence of a “National Pokédex” implies the existence of a “nation” which contains all of the regions encountered so far.

The flag for this “World Nation” was inspired by the flag for the United Nations.

NUR stands for Nation of United Regions and was completely made up without any basis in any official lore.

Regions

East

All eastern regions are based on Japan so far. Luckily, almost every town, city, and prefecture in Japan has its own flag on which the following flags are based. However, the regions (Kantō, Kansai, etc) do not have their own flags so creating flags for each Pokémon region was actually the most challenging task.

The designs are usually pretty simple, consisting of a monochrome background with a bold symbol on top (called mon), rarely featuring more than two colors at all.

Flags that were created more recently (e.g. after mergers) are more likely to include more colors and shapes that can more clearly be read as objects. Sometimes these flags even include latin characters.

Kanto

Kanto Region Flag

Kanto’s flag is based on the flag of Sōka City in Saitama Prefecture in the Kantō region. Its flag was chosen for its design featuring three connected circles and because it is a city in the Kantō region which has not been referenced in the games.

Kanto’s new flag depicts three connected Pokéballs. A red, blue, and green one, the colors standing for the first three versions of Pokémon released and also of the three starter-types (fire, water, grass) every player gets to choose at the start of every adventure. And Kanto is basically the starter region of Pokémon.

Kanto municipal flags

Generally, Japan’s flags most often feature a bicolour geometric highly stylised design, often resembling minimalistic logos. These symbols are called mon. A distinct feature of these flags is that they use a palette of colors not usually found in (western) flags, including orange, purple, aquamarine and brown.

Most of the flags have a side ratio of 2:3.

Whenever possible, if a town hosts a gym, the badge designs were implemented into the flag designs.

Pallet Town

Pallet Town is based on Shimoda City or Machida City. Machida’s flag was used as a base for the Pallet Town one, painted white since its name in different languages is either based on “pallet”, “white”, and/or “new”.

The symbol is a Pokéball and an arrow both pointing up/north-wards as this is the only direction to go at the beginning of the adventure.

Viridian City

Viridian City is based on Mishima City or Hakone Town. I chose the green of Mishima’s flag since “viridian” is a blue-green color.

The symbol is a stylized Earth Badge in white.

Pewter City

Pewter City is based on Maebashi City. The flag takes inspiration from the ultra-simplistic design and features a white octagon for the Boulder Badge on a pewter background, which is a shade of bluish gray.

Cerulean City

Cerulean City is based on Utsunomiya. For the flag the red background color was changed into a cerulean blue and the symbol into the shape water drop of the Cascade Badge.

Vermilion City

Vermilion City is apparently a hybrid of Yokohama City, Yokosuka City, and Chiba City. Yokosuka's flag was chosen because it seemed like it was suited best to be transformed into Vermilion’s flag. The shape was changed into the star  shape of the Thunder Badge and a Pokéball was added in the middle, because as we all know the people of the Pokéworld love plastering Pokéballs everywhere.

Lavender Town

Lavender Town is based on Ushiku City. The background  color was changed into a lavender shade. For the symbol the double ring of the original flag was kept but a piece was cut out to resemble a tail and added two shapes for eyes. The symbol is supposed to represent the sprite of the “ghost” in the original games.

Celadon City

Celadon City is one of two cities in Kanto being based on Tokyo. Celadon is a jade green color which was used as the background color for the new flag. The mon of the Tokyo Metropolis was changed into the shape of the Rainbow Badge, turning Tokyo’s central circle design into a Pokéball.

Saffron City

Saffron City is the second city in Kanto based on Tokyo, specifically on the Chiyoda special ward. Chiyoda’s symbol was reshaped into the circular form of the Marsh badge which resembles an eye, referencing the City’s psychic type gym.

Fuchsia City

Fuchsia City is based on three cities: Futtsu City, Tateyama City, or Minamibōsō City.

Futtsu City was used as a base for the flag, the shape is meant to represent the Badge.

Cinnabar Island

Cinnabar Island is based on the island Izu Ōshima, which is home to the City of Ōshima.

The background color was changed to the red of its namesake while the symbol is based on the Volcano Badge.

Indigo Plateau

The Indigo Plateaus’s exact inspiration in the real world is hard to pinpoint but Saitama Prefecture is a likely candidate. I changed the rotating symbols into opening Pokéballs in an indigo color.

Sevii Islands

The Sevii Islands are based on two archipelagos off the coast of Tokyo, Izu Islands and Bonin Islands.

For the flag design the flag of Mikurajima Village was used as a basis.

The three shapes of the new Sevii Island flag are meant to represent an island in the sea. The entire shape can be read as a stylized version of the Japanese character 七 (seven). When turned upside down, it resembles an Arabic 7.

Johto

Johto Region Flag

Johto is based on the Kansai region. I based the general design of the flag on Nara City, where Japan was founded to emphasize the tradition versus modernity theme of Johto and Kanto in the games.

The colors chosen represent the two versions gold (heraldic yellow) and silver (heraldic white), the crystal version is hidden in the main “flower” shape which is actually a molecular structure of a crystal forming a cube. The four characters on the left are supposed to say “Johto Region” in the local language. The characters found in Kitakami and Hisui were used for this text

Johto municipal flags

As with Kanto, whenever possible, the badge designs were implemented into the flag designs.

New Bark Town

Johto’s starting town could be based on Hamamatsu City. The symbol was rotated and one of the swirls was turned into a leaf symbolizing the “new bark”, while in the opposite shape a stylized wind turbine was added to represent the town’s motto:  "Winds of a New Beginning" as well as the turbines present in the remakes.

Cherrygrove City

Cherrygrove could be based on Handa City, Minamichita Town, and/or Shizuoka City. For the flag the three flags were all used as inspiration but the main motive came from the City’s namesake the cherry blossom. As Nara City’s flag already was used as the inspiration for Johto’s, Nara’s blossom was given a place to shine here and completed with a Pokéball in the middle.

Violet City

Violet City is based on Nara City. Since the city’s flag already served as the inspiration for both Johto and Cherrygrove City the flower’s shape was changed into that of a violet flower, the background painted in a violet color and the middle of the flower was decorated with the shape of a stylized Zephyr Badge.

Azalea Town

Azalea Town is likely based on Minabe Village.

Using Minabe Village's flag as an inspiration, the town flag of Azalea was created, which now  depicts the ladybug shape of the Hive Badge. Or probably more accurately the Ledyba shape of the Hive Badge.

Goldenrod City

Using Osaka City’s flag as a base, the symbol was changed into the slightly rotated diamond shape of the Plain Badge. The colors were kept as they were, seeing as the yellow already corresponded perfectly with the gold in the City’s name.

Ecruteak City

Ecruteak City is very likely based on Kyoto City. Using the city’s flag as a starting point, the new flag keeps the decorated ring and completes the pattern with Pokéballs. The now empty shape in the middle was adorned with two shapes (found on Kyoto’s flag) and a tiny triangle cutting into the ring to finally take the ghost shape of the Fog Badge.

Olivine City

Olivine City is based on Kobe City, whose flag’s green background color was slightly tweaked to be more olive colored – while the symbol in the center was replaced with the octagon of the Mineral Badge. However, one curve of Kobe’s symbol was preserved and now serves as a “stem” on top of the symbol to give the badge a second meaning as an olive.

Cianwood City

Cianwood City is likely based on the cities of Naruto and/or Tokushima. The symbols of both cities’ flags were combined and altered into the fist shape of the Storm Badge. The background color was changed as well into a dark cyan to suit the city’s name.

Mahogany Town

Mahogany Town is based on Kōka City. The city’s flag was only slightly altered to fit Mahogany Town. The four pointed star was made longer and turned (mahogany) brown to resemble a (mahogany) tree. The green swirl was made blue and complemented with the snowflake design of the Glacier Badge.

Blackthorn City

Blackthorn City is likely based on historic Shirakawa Village. The flag’s symbol was turned upside down and the inner shape was made to resemble the dragon head of the Rising Badge, with the gap in the circle representing one of the dragon’s horns.

Hoenn

Hoenn Region Flag

Hoenn is based on the Kyūshū region. Its flag is (very loosely) based on the flag of the Okinawa Prefecture.

The new mon  as a whole is a gem, the colors represent the three game versions Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald, als well as also almost being a Pokéball (again). The gem shaped was used in the EX Ruby & Sapphire expansion of the TCG.

Hoenn municipal flags

As with the previous regions the badge designs of the gyms were implemented as well as the red, blue and green of ruby, sapphire, and emerald.

Littleroot Town

Littleroot Town is based on either Imari or Sasebo City.

For the flag, Imari City’s flag was used as a base.

The symbol was repurposed and now stands for the (little) roots in the town’s name. The arrow pointing upward is similar to Pallet Town’s arrow pointing north and in the only possible direction of leaving the town. The green stands for the surrounding forests as well as Emerald. The mon is now white because most of the names for the town in languages other than English make a reference to the color white.

Oldale Town

Oldale Town is based on Saga City, capital of the Saga Prefecture.

The prefecture’s flag seemed to fit more to Oldale Town’s rural setting.

In most languages, the town’s name has something to do with a rose/peach color, which is why this color was chosen as the background.

The flower symbol is supposed to represent a petal with a Pokéball in the middle.

Petalburg City

Petalburg City is likely based on Karatsu City.

Karatsu’s crest already looked a bit like a Pokéball and that similarity was expanded upon slightly.

The completed crest takes the shape of the dumbbell of the Balance Badge.

The background color was inspired by the City’s international names referencing bright yellow colors.

Rustboro City

Rustboro City is based on Fukuoka City and Kitakyushu City.

Fukuoka’s triangles already resembled the Stone Badge and were used as a base to create the shape of the badge.

The background color is the rust color referenced in the city’s name.

Dewford Town

Dewford Town is probably based on Tsushima City.

Tsushima City’s mon was altered and opened up on the right side. Now, the fist of the Knuckle Badge is shown in negative space.

The new colors of the flag are based on the badge as well.

Slateport City

Slateport City is based on the city of Nagasaki, the capital of the prefecture of the same name. The “N” shape of Nagasaki was redrawn (yes, it’s not only rotated) to resemble both an “S” (the entire mon) and a “P” (just the blue part) as well as a gray crane over blue waves.

Mauville City

Mauville City is based on Kumamoto City.

The execution of the flag is quite simple, Kumamoto City’s flag was altered to include the Dynamo Badge in negative space.

The green color was changed into a pale purple color that some might call mauve.

Verdanturf Town

Verdanturf Town is likely based on Kikuchi City.

The circular shape on Kikuchi’s flag was rotated and reshaped, now resembling a pot. Several blades of plants are growing out of it, referencing the “turf” part of the name, while “verdant” is visible in the green colors.

Lavaridge Town

Lavaridge Town is based on Aso City, which already has an almost perfect flag for a place situated close to a volcano, so not a lot was changed.

The flame shape of the Heat Badge was added on top of the mountain to resemble rising smoke.

Fallarbor Town

Fallarbor Town is based on Ōita City. The symbol was redesigned to resemble the tree (arbor) in the town’s name and the color was adjusted to represent a fall/autumn color as its international names often reference the season as well. There’s also a Pokéball in the center because Pokéball.

Fortree City

Fortree City might be based on Hyūga City.

Its mon was taken as an inspiration to create the new symbol resembling the Feather Badge.

While the original green color would have fit the forest setting of the city, its name in Japanese and other languages reference brighter colors such as chartreuse and yellow.

Lilycove City

Lilycove City might be based on Kanoya City.

The blue shape of the mon was reshaped to resemble a pond with a circular green leaf floating on it and a pink water lily in the middle, referencing the city’s name.

Mossdeep City

Mossdeep City is based on the island of Tanegashima, where Japan's largest space development center is located. Tanegashima belongs to the prefecture of Kagoshima and its flag was used as the main inspiration.

Taking the heart shape of the Mind Badge was an easy choice, seeing that it even features a red circle in the center just like the emblem of Kagoshima.

The green color resembles the green of moss and algae of the city’s international names and makes the heart shape also resemble a plant in itself.

The white hole on the shape could reference the position of the space center on the island.

Sootopolis City

Sootopolis’ geological and geographical position was possibly inspired by the Kikai Caldera, a submerged caldera north of Yakushima, while the architecture of the city is based on Santorini, Greece.

Yakushima’s flag was used as the basis for Sootopolis’ flag, adding the three triangles of the Rain Badge behind the wave. Since the city is still set in Hoenn and there are no reference to the city being built by people from a different region (Greece), Santorini was not included in the design.

Ever Grande City

Ever Grande City hosts the Hoenn Pokémon League.

While it’s not really a city in the games other media (and its name!) suggest that it is, so it deserves a flag as well.

The city is likely based on Naha City, with the Pokémon League building bearing a resemblance to Shuri Castle in Naha.

Naha’s emblem was rotated and turned into a Pokéball shape, with added curves to resemble the wings seen on the Ever Grande Championship Trophy.

Pacifidlog Town

The town is based on the Koshikijima Islands.

In 2004 most of the villages and towns on the islands were merged into Satsumasendai City.

Since Pacifidlog Town is said to be built upon a colony of Corsola the shape and color of the Pokémon were merged into the new flag.

Sinnoh

Sinnoh Region Flag

Sinnoh is mostly based on the northernmost major island of Japan, Hokkaido.

The symbol on Sinnoh’s flag is a pentagonal diamond and a round pearl.

A similar icon was used in the TCG for the Diamond and Pearl series.

The background color is meant to represent platinum, the third version, as well as keeping the similarities to Hokkaido’s flag.

Sinnoh municipal flags

A lot of the flags on Hokkaido seem to use a (five-pointed) star so that theme was implemented in the cities’ flags as well.

As with the previous regions, whenever possible, the badge designs were implemented into the flag designs.

Twinleaf Town

Sinnoh’s starting town is likely based on Noboribetsu City.

This was a very simple but effective change.

The new mon now represents the two (twin) leaves in the name while staying close to the flag it was inspired by.

The brighter background color references the colors of Twinleaf’s roofs.

Sandgem Town

Sandgem Town might be based on Tomakomai City,

Taking the original mon and tweaking it leads to this new flag.

The symbol resembles an “S” but also a bit still the “G” from the original flag, standing for Sandgem. It’s also a Pokéball as a reference to Professor Rowan’s laboratory.

The red was changed into a sand yellow and the background color into a sea blue.

Jubilife City

Jubilife City is based on Hokkaido’s largest city, Sapporo City.

Sapporo City features a five pointed star in the middle of its flag, surrounded by a ring and a hexagonal shape that resembles a fortification.

To reference the five-pointed stars in the rest of Sinnoh’s flags, the hexagon was reduced into a pentagon.

The symbol in the middle references Arceus’ “wheel”.

Giving Hisui’s (now Sinnoh’s) first settlement a reference to its creator Pokémon seemed fitting.

Oreburgh City

Oreburgh City is based on the coal mining city of Yūbari.

The black and white flag was already very fitting for Oreburgh.

The hexagonal shape was replaced with the pentagonal diamond and the symbol in the middle resembles the Coal Badge.

Floaroma Town

The town could be based on Furano City, Tōbetsu Town, and/or Hokuryū Town.

For the flag, Hokuryū Town’s was chosen as a base.

The new mon depicts the Gracidea Flower in a geometric abstraction.

The two shapes cutting into the flower are inspired by the original flag and now represent the flower’s stems. The new colors reference the flower as well.

The Gracidea was chosen because of the town’s relationship to flowers in general, and because of Shaymin’s connection to the town.

Eterna City

Eterna City is likely based on Ashikawas City.

Featuring once more a five-pointed star, the red circle in its center was replaced with a green shape of the Forest Badge for Eterna City’s new flag.

Hearthome City

Hearthome City is likely based on Obihiro City.

The circular shape of the original flag was triplicated and reworked to form the three connected circles of the Relic Badge.

The badge’s purple color now replaces the original blue, while the gold frame was kept as is.

Solaceon Town

Solaceon Town is probably based on the town of Ashoro.

Due to Solaceon Town’s proximity to the Solaceon ruins and the many Unown that can be found there, these Pokémon were also used as an inspiration.

The new flag shows Unown S (for Solaceon) on a similar shape as on the original flag.

Veilstone City

Veilstone City is likely based on Abashiri City.

Abashiri’s flag is another one that features the five-pointed star but this time with unusual proportions.

There weren’t many changes necessary to turn it into Veilstone City’s flag, the background color was changed to the platinum gray of the Sinnoh flag and the cobble Badge was placed in the middle of the flag in a dark orange color.

Celestic Town

Celestic Town is likely inspired by Engaru Town and Yūbetsu Town.

Engaru’s flag was chosen as a base for Celestic’s.

In the center of the town the Celestic Ruins are found. Within them is a fresco featuring the Lake Guardians in an identical position as the circles in Engaru Town’s flag so the new flag basically designed itself.

The three interlocking circles of the original flag were completed with triangular shapes representing the three Lake Guardians’ bodies in a very minimalistic way.

The blue color was changed into a more stony color of the ruins’ walls.

Pastoria City

Pastoria City is likely based on Kushira City.

The flag design process was quite simple:

Kushiro City + Fen Badge + green color of pasture/fields = Pastoria City.

Canalave City

Canalave City is based on Otaru City and again the design process for the flag was not very complicated.

First Otaru City’s flag was taken as a base and one point of the star was removed to make it fit with the rest of Sinnoh’s flags.

Then the (tennis?) ball in the middle was replaced with the Mine Badge and the colors were changed into the blue of Canalave’s waterways.

Snowpoint City

Snowpoint City is based on Wakkanai City.

Once more, the original flag’s star was reduced by one point (to fit with the rest) and then adorned with the Icicle Badge.

The warm orange color was replaced with a cool ice blue to reference the town’s frosty setting.

Sunyshore City

Sunyshore City might be based on Nemuro City.

Nemuro’s mon was used as a basis to form the “head” of the lighthouse shape of the Beacon Badge.

The circular shape was expanded to depict the tower part and the light beams coming from the top. The red was replaced with the yellow of the badge’s light.

Kitakami

Kitakami Region Flag

With the introduction of Kitakami, Game Freak included two flags flown in front of Mossui Town’s community center.

They probably are flags for both the Kitakami region and Mossui Town but which is which is not stated. For this list, it is assumed that the Yanma flag stands for Kitakami and the green flag for Mossui Town.

Please note that these flags have been designed by GF and are merely recreated and listed here for completion's sake. They have been paired with possible inspirations.

Mossui Town

Mossui Town’s flag depicts Ogre Mountain, complete with two horns, one of which is broken.

West

The regions of the west can be divided into the ones based on “old world” countries (Kalos, Galar, Paldea) and the ones based on “new world” (Unova, Alola).

Unova

Unova Region Flag

Unova is based on New York City as well as parts of northwestern New Jersey.

The colors of the triband were replaced with the colors of the game’s versions, black, white, and gray. The colors represent the region's legendaries Zekrom (black), Reshiram (white), and Kyurem (gray). Furthermore the three bands also represent the three main landmasses of Unova.

For the crest in the middle these are the main changes made:

The eagle on top was replaced with a Braviary. The two people holding the shield were turned into Lady Liberty holding a Pokéball torch on the left and a Team Plasma grunt on the right, holding a Pokéball as well. In their other hands they are holding a shield with the TCG’s Plasma Storm icon. The ring around the seal is made up of Plasma Blast shields.

The date of New York’s foundation was replaced with letters (supposed to be) spelling UNOVA in the modern game’s alphabet.

Unova municipal flags

Generally flags in the area around New York City seem to consist of a circular seal with a detailed drawing/painting on it, with names, dates, and mottos around it. One goal was to use a lot of black and white while designing the flags to refer to the names of the two (four) versions.

Nuvema Town

Nuvema Town is one of the two starting towns of Unova and is based geographically on the Coney Island neighborhood of Brooklyn. While Coney Island does not have a flag, the borough of Brooklyn does. But since Nuvema Town is one of four places based on Brooklyn neighborhoods, the inspiration will be different for all of them.

The slogan on top of Brooklyn’s crest is in Dutch and translates to "unity makes strength".

The crest features the Goddess of Justice holding a fasces, a symbol of unity.

For the new flag of Nuvema Town, the oval shape was retained, while the figure of Justice was replaced with a juniper tree. The tree also resembles an upwards arrow, which has kind of been a theme in flags of starter towns so far. Juniper is the name of the professor of the region who lives in Nuvema Town. Her house can be seen in the background. The added clouds in the sky reference the town’s name coming from the Portuguese word for clouds. Most towns and cities in Unova are named after cloud formations in the English language games.

The colors of the crest were updated and the text was replaced with the town’s motto “THE START OF SOMETHING BIG” on top and “TOWN OF NUVEMA” on the bottom.

Accumula Town

Accumula Town is based on Marine Park, a neighborhood (and a park) of Brooklyn.

As the second town based on the borough of Brooklyn, this time the Goddess of Justice was kept and transformed into the three Swords of Justice: Cobalion, Terrakion, and Virizion.

Behind the three Pokémon there’s a cumulus cloud which is the namesake of the town.

The flag was divided into two parts to symbolize it being the second town players visit on their first journey in Unova.

The text on top of the crest reads “THE FAST GROWING TOWN” and the bottom “TOWN OF ACCUMULA”.

Striaton City

Striaton City is based on Canarsie, a neighborhood of Brooklyn.

The figure of the Goddess of Justice was replaced by the figure of Orion (represented by Bisharp) since the town's Japanese name (as well as others) reference Orion.

This is mainly because of the constellation of Orion with the famous belt of Orion which contains three stars. Three of course being the theme of Striaton with the Trio Badge and three different gym leaders.

On the new flag, the Bisharp is also holding the Trio Badge in its hand.

A triband was added to the flag to differentiate it from the other places that are based on Brooklyn as well as to once more underline the theme of three of the city.

The clouds in the background are Striations, being the namesake of the city.

The upper text on the seal reads “THREE STAND TOGETHER AS ONE”, the town’s slogan.

The lower text says “CITY of STRIATON”.

Nacrene City

Nacrene City is likely based on Boerum Hill, a neighborhood of Brooklyn.

The oval shape of the seal was turned into a circle to bridge the flags from the cities before and after Nacrene. A second reason for the circular seal is that it also resembles a pearl, which is part of its name in many languages.

On the seal the museum and gym of Nacrene City was placed.

On top of iit the seven stars stand for the seven wonders which are part of the city’s Japanese name. They also stand for nacreous clouds which give the city its name,

The two stars on the bottom reference the fact that the city houses the second gym players encounter in the games.

The text on the top of the seal says “A PEARL OF A PLACE” which is the city’s slogan and the bottom text says “CITY of NACRENE”.

The Basic Badge is featured on both sides of the seal.

Castelia City

Castelia City is based on Lower Manhattan.

Manhattan's flag is very similar to the one of New York City but in a more reduced style. Therefore Castelia City's flag was also based on Unova's.

The figures on the crest were simplified and the shield in the middle was replaced with a new design featuring the Insect Badge and four Pokéballs.

The orange color of the right stripe was turned green to resemble the color of the Insect Badge as well.

The blue color was turned black to reference once again the black/white theme of the games

Nimbasa City

Nimbasa City is based on Midtown Manhattan so it shares its flag inspiration with Castelia City.

The outer ring was replaced with the Rondez-View Ferris Wheel which breaks the mold of the triband in the same way as the Bolt Badge breaks out of the shield.

This is to symbolize Nimbasa City’s role as a more “fun” entertainment city than Castelia.

The orange which originally stood for the Netherlands was kept as it is also featured on the Bolt Badge.

The texts say “City of Nimbasa” as well as “Lit by the flash of lightning”.

Driftveil CIty

Driftveil City is based on Union City, Hudson County, New Jersey.

Union City does not have a flag but a seal, which was used as inspiration for Driftveil City’s flag, along with the flag of Hudson County.

For the new seal, the skyline of the city is featured on the bottom, with the market, team Plasma’s safehouse, the gym, the lighthouse, the statue and of course Driftveil Drawbridge (also known as Charizard Bridge) on the very right.

The two people shaking hands on Union City’s seal were replaced with two Pokémon trainers in battle stances, hinting at the fact that the Pokémon World Tournament is hosted in Driftveil City in Black2 and White2.

The banner on top features the city’s slogan of "A City of Billowing Sails" and the bottom text reads “City of Driftveil City – Unova”.

The background was taken from Hudson County’s flag but is also reminiscent of the Quake badge. The badge itself is featured on the flag as well, replacing the four-leaf clover of Union City.

Mistralton City

Mistralton City is likely based on the borough of Teterboro, in Bergen County, New Jersey.

Teterboro’s seal (only exists in terrible resolution online) depicts a twin-engine propeller plane flying above a town.

Since Mistralton City is also home to an airport, this aspect of the seal was taken over. Instead of the skyline, Celestial Tower was added due to its close location to the city.

Finally, the sides are decorated with the Jet Badge.

The colors of the flag reference the Jet Badge as well as the flag of Bergen County.

Text on the flag, top: “CITY OF MISTRALTON”

Bottom: “STREWN WITH WINDBLOWN LEAVES”

Icirrus City

Icirrus City is based on the borough of Ridgefield, Bergen County, New Jersey.

Being based on the same county and also being situated close to a special tower (Dragonspiral Tower), the design process was quite similar to the one of Mistralton City.

To create Icirrus City’s flag, the seal of Ridgefield, as well as the seal and flag of Bergen County were used as a basis.

One of the picturesque windmills of Icirrus city dominates the seal, with Dragonspiral Tower rising behind it. On the right side Tubeline Bridge can be seen leading into the city. In the foreground the three Pokémon of Icirrus City’s gym leader can be seen: Vanillish, Cryogonal, and Beartic.

The clouds in the background are Cirrus clouds which give the city its English name.

The quote on the seal reads "Sky Glittering with Flowers of Snow", the town's motto. The top text reads “The City of Icirrus, Unova”.

The two symbols on either side replacing the plants are the Freeze Badge.

Opelucid CIty

Opelucid City is based on two neighborhoods of Manhattan: Harlem and Washington Heights.

In the games, Opelucid City has two entirely different appearances depending on the version of the game.

The gym however does not change and keeps its icon dragon headed appearance.

For the flag the flag of Manhattan was used as the main inspiration. The seal in the middle was replaced with the two dragon heads of Opelucid’s gym.

The flag was cut again horizontally to symbolize the dual nature of the city.

In the top left corner the Legend Badge can be seen together with stars and a Poké Ball resembling the flag of the city of Haarlem, after which Harlem was named.

The top text on the seal reads “City of Opelucid” and the bottom text “Time’s Dividing Line”.

Lacunosa Town

Lacunosa Town is based on Flushing, a neighborhood of Queens. The two flowers were replaced with the Gracidea (since it can be received in this town) and Liligant’s flower, a Pokémon which was introduced in this generation. Its flower isn’t actually based on a lily but on a Dianthus.

In Lacunosa Town’s flag, the two flowers depict the fragile town that is protected from Kyurem by a wall, symbolized by the ring around them. Kyurem’s color of gray traps the town from two sides with two gray bars.

The ring is inspired by the hexagonal kagome pattern, after which the town is named in Japanese.

The text on the top left reads Lacunosa Town Unova and the symbol above it is the meteorological symbol for the cirrocumulus lacunosus cloud formation from which the town gets its English name.

Undella Town

Undella Town is likely based on the group of towns called The Hamptons on Long Island, sharing the trait of being empty some time of the year and then filling up during summer.

The portrait of the quaker on the original seal was replaced with a portrait of one of the Seven Sages of Team Plasma, fitting the theme of the elites using Undella Town as a holiday resort, as well as depicting a “religious” figure from the “olden times”.

Behind the sage there is the beach of Undella and the Plasma Frigate (replacing the Mayflower). The top text is the town’s slogan of “A TOWN OF RIPPLING WAVES” and below it says “TOWN OF UNDELLA ★ UNOVA”. The colors were slightly adjusted to represent the beach feeling.

Black City

Black City is a place exclusive to the black version of the games. Its counterpart is White Forest.

Black City is based on Long Island City, a neighborhood in Queens.

With a name such as Black City, the temptation was there to color the flag entirely black.

In the end, it was reduced to be featured prominently on the flag.

Taking inspiration from Long Island City’s flag, the new flag features the city’s skyline in the background. In front of it the gods Neptune and Minerva were replaced with the region’s fully evolved starter Pokémon: Samurott, Serperior, and Emboar. They stand to the sides of a shield which is the same shield already used in Unova’s flag. On top of it, a braviary spreads its wings behind the name of the city.

Anville Town

Anville Town is likely based on Binghamton, a city in Broome County in the state of New York.

The new flag takes inspiration from both of these flags.

Anville Town is not accessible via any routes but instead only by riding the Battle Subway.

The oldest subway car that can be seen in the town is featured on the left side of the seal with the right side showing a shield with a Braviary holding a branch in its beak.

The Shield depicts the meteorological symbol for anvil clouds (cumulonimbus incus), after which the town is named.

An anvil cloud can also be seen in the background.

Aspertia City

Aspertia City is based on the city of Elizabeth, New Jersey.

It is the second starting town of the region while also being home to a gym.

The flag follows the design patterns of its inspiration, featuring two scrolls with text above and underneath a seal. The upper text reads “The City Of Aspertia, Unova” and the lower “A City That Reaches For The Sky,” which is the city’s motto.

The seal itself features another pair of bands which repeat “Reach For The Sky”, underneath there is a shield depicting four copies of the Basic Badge. In the background the landscape that surrounds the city can be seen as well as asperitas clouds after which the city is named.

Floccesy Town

Floccesy Town is based on Newark, the largest city in New Jersey. It is situated in the county of Essex.

Newark’s flag depicts the two mythological figures of Liberty and Justice surrounding a shield.

In Floccesy’s flag the two figures are replaced with two depictions of Keldeo. Keldeo can be turned from its Ordinary to its Resolute Form just outside the town.

The shield in the middle features three crossing rods that are supposed to stand for the remaining Swords of Justice, as well as dowsing rods, which led to the town’s German name of Dausing.

Underneath three horizontal stripes can be seen which are called a hamade/hamaide, after which the town gets its French name (Amaillide).

Its English name comes from cirrus floccus clouds. The meteorological symbol for which can be seen above the shield.

The new red border color was inspired by  the town’s red roofs.

The scroll underneath it all reads “Floccesy Town - Prophecy Flocks Here.”

Virbank City

Virbank City is based on Jersey City. The seal on Jersey City’s flag depicts ships in front of a harbor, which is fitting to Virbank City also having a prominent harbor.

For the ship in the foreground, the Royal Unova is depicted, even though it is never seen there in the games it was still a great fit.

The Toxic Badge takes a prominent spot above the city’s skyline.

For the slogan in the middle, the city’s motto in Japanese was chosen, which is “Tachiwaki is rising steam”, Tachikawi being Virbank’s Japanese name.

The texts now read, top: “CITY OF VIRBANK CITY”

Middle: “VIRBANK IS RISING STEAM” – Bottom: “UNOVA REGION”

Lentimas Town

Lentimas Town is likely based on Forest Hills, a neighborhood of Queens.

Unlike Queens the town is set in a desert area which inspired many of the flag’s items.

The ring of wampum on the original flag is replaced with a wreath of tumbleweeds, indicating  the town's setting. In the middle the tulip and the rose are replaced by a barrel cactus which happens to look like a Cacnea, whose evolution can be found outside the town.

The blue stripes and golden text were inverted to once again underline the sandy desert colors. The crown was replaced with the meteorological symbol for lenticular clouds, after which the town is named.

The text reads “Lentimas Town Unova.”

Humilau City

Humilau City is probably inspired by Fire Island, an island in Nassau County, New York.

Since there are no native lion Pokémon in Unova, it was removed and replaced with a different royal Pokémon: Jellicent.

The Wave Badge is featured in the background, replacing the stripes. There are eight of them, symbolizing the City’s place as the 8th gym of the challenge.

The warm orange background color was replaced with the cool blue of the Wave Badge as well.

Kalos

Kalos Region Flag

Kalos is based on the northern half of France.

For the flag the colors were kept as they are heavily used in the games as well. The shape was slightly altered to represent the three regions of coastal (blue), central (white), and mountain Kalos (red) that can be seen in the Pokédex. Of course it represents the Eiffel Prism Tower as well.

Kalos municipal flags

For the town’s flags, there are several symbols that appear quite frequently. One is the (mostly yellow/gold) flower called the Fleur de Lis (Lily flower) which was used on the traditional coat of arms of France before the revolution. The shape of the lily was changed to resemble both the eternal flower of AZ’s Floette and the ultimate weapon, both of which seem to be originally inspired by a lily.

The second symbol is the standing lion drawn by someone who has obviously never seen a real lion. For the updated symbol, the inspiration was the lion Pokémon which was fittingly introduced in this generation, Pyroar.

To keep a unified appearance for all the flags (and an attempt at sticking more closely to traditional heraldic rules, which of course were partly established in France), only six colors were used for all the flags. These are  Kalos’ blue, white (silver), and red, in addition to green, yellow (gold), and (several shades of) black.

In addition, all flags use the exact same ratio of 2 to 3.

Vaniville Town

Vaniville Town is Kalos’ starter town and it’s inspired by Moulins.

The blue top bar with golden flowers is a common sight with these flags and the changes from the reference are limited to color adaptations and using the eternal flower instead of the lily

In the lower area the three windmills were replaced with the flowers of the vanilla plant, referencing the town’s English name.

They were arranged to form an upward arrow to keep the tradition of flags of starting towns featuring one.

Aquacorde Town

Aquacorde Town is inspired by Nevers.

Nevers’ mythological lion figure was replaced by a rampant Pyroar.

The rest of the flag was kept quite similar. The blue background fits with the town’s prominent riverside placement.

Santalune City

Santalune City is based on the commune of Fontainebleau.

The city is home to the first gym the players encounter and so its Bug Badge replaces the “N” in the original flag. The star above it is replaced with a Poké Ball.

To the right of the badge the figure of a bird is updated to feature this region’s regional bird’s final evolution: Talonflame.

The middle bar used to feature white waves on a blue background. These were replaced with a plant-inspired design in the Art Nouveau style. The city’s name is a reference to Art Nouveau in many languages.The blue color was replaced with green to reference the city’s forest of the same name.

The bottom bar features the legendary figure of a fire salamander wearing a crown. Since Kalos seems to be equally obsessed with the Charmander line as GF is, it was obviously used as the replacement.While a fire type starter might not be the most obvious choice for a city with a bug type gym the connection to the original flag was just too perfect.

Lumiose City

Lumiose City is based on the capital and largest city of France: Paris.

Paris’ flag was one of the inspirations for the French flag, mainly the blue and red stripes which were then complemented with a white one.

This is definitely the most intricate flag of the region, featuring the Voltage Badge in the middle, replacing the original shield. It is topped with a crown that uses the eternal flower as design elements. The Badge is additionally adorned with the typical blue stripe with golden flowers and a depiction of the Prism Tower replaces the ship on Paris’ flag with the lighting bolts of the badge seeming to come out of its antenna.

Around the badge there is a laurel wreath and beneath it a scroll with the writing “CITY OF LIGHT”, the slogan of the Lumiose City.

On the very bottom three badges are hanging, which are for once not inspired by the games’ badges. From left to right there is a badge featuring Honedge in its sheathed form. In the middle a silver badge with a Poké Ball in the center. To the right a golden badge featuring a Poké Ball (again) and two crossed swords.

Camphrier Town

Camphrier Town might be based on the neighboring cities of Blois and/or Tours.

For Camphrier, Blois’ flag was chosen.

The hedgehog and dog of the original flag were replaced with depictions of a Sandslash and a Poochyena holding a shield with the eternal flower on it.

Ambrette Town

Ambrette Town is based on La Rochelle.

The top of the flag once more features the blue bar with three golden flowers.

The central design on La Rochelle flag there is a golden ship. For Ambrette’s flag this ship was replaced with a Pokémom/ship amalgamation. It is based on an unreleased beta-design for the Gold and Silver generation of games.

When translated into the Pokémon world it could represent a mythological Pokémon that only exists in legends (in contrast to the many mythological Pokémon that actually exist).

Cyllage City

Cyllage City is likely based on Saint-Nazaire.

The flag features a ship and as with its neighboring town of Ambrette the ship was replaced with the beta ship-Pokémon, this time with a different mast and sail on a blue background.

The remaining three quarters were filled with a design based on the city’s Cliff Badge in a very minimal style.

Geosenge Town

Geosenge Town is based on Carnac, both with famous stone circles.

The many stones on Carnac’s flag were reduced to the three in Geosenge’s center. On the top right the eternal flower replaces the sun, as this town is where the ultimate weapon is buried which is also in the shape of the flower.

Shalour City

Shalour City is probably based on Saint-Malo.

Saint-Malo’s ferret was replaced with a Furret. It is wearing a scarf on which three Rumble Badges replace the original’s ermine tincture.

Three badges were chosen as it is the third badge players get in this region.

Coumarine City

Coumarine City is likely based on Le Havre.

The top bar adds a lion to the common fleur-de-lis, which was replaced with a Pyroar once more. The two flowers were doubled as the city’s gym is the fourth in the games.

The bottom part of the original flag features a mythical fire salamander, however since Charmander already was featured on Santalune’s flag it was decided to replace it with the Plant Badge. Consequently, the red background was tinted green to fit with the plant theme.

Laverre City

Laverre City is based on Amiens.

The top bar features many flowers on a blue background, once more replacing France’s royal flower with the eternal flower of Kalos.

For the lower part the branch with leaves was kept and turned into the giant tree which houses the city’s gym. The gym building itself was added at the bottom, complete with the clock with 13 hours. The arms show 6 o’clock as the gym is the sixth in the challenge.

The entire structure rests on a depiction of the Fairy Badge which also served as the inspiration for the new pink background color, replacing the red.

Dendemille Town

Dendemille Town is likely based on Charleville-Mézières.

The flag of Charleville-Mézières is actually a tricolor of vertical blue, gold, and red bars. However there exists an alternate version based on the coat of arms which depicts two golden rakes on top and a hand coming out of a cloud holding a sword.

The two rakes were replaced with three dandelions (from which the town gets its name) while the lower design was replaced with one of the town’s six-bladed windmills (with a Poké Ball design in the center).

Anistar City

Anistar City is based on Strasbourg.

Strasbourg’s flag is very simplistic, only featuring a diagonal red stripe.

To keep Anistar’s flag in a similar minimalist style, the design found on the city’s sundial was used as the inspiration for the shapes.

The red stripe was replaced with yellow/gold, as the shapes on the sundial are golden as well, even though two metals (gold/silver, yellow/white) touching each other breaks traditional vexillology rules.

Couriway Town

Couriway Town is based on Molsheim or Colmar in the Alsace region of France.

Molsheim’s original flag features St. George bound to a wheel. The torture device was repurposed and now stands for a water wheel which would certainly a common sight in the town given its location next to many rivers and waterfalls.

Colmar’s flag gave the inspiration to split the flag into two main colors which also gave the water wheel an additional meaning as a Poké Ball (or rather Great Ball given the blue color).

Snowbelle City

Snowbelle City is based on either Besançon and/or Belfort,

For Snowbelle’s flag, Belfort was chosen as the inspiration.

The main change was replacing Belfort’s tower with a reduced version of the Iceberg Badge.

The blue background color as well as the golden accents fit nicely with the badge’s design and didn’t need to be changed.

Kiloude City

Kiloude City is based on Lyon.

Lyon’s flag of course prominently features a lion.

Just with the previous depictions of lions it was replaced with a Pyroar. This time it is fully white with very basic shading.

On the top we find the well known three golden flowers on blue background for the last time.