Cosplay Help: Finnish Flag Etiquette

[schizounicorn.livejournal.com]

I am going to a convention as Finland next weekend. Because I cannot find a Finnish flag in any stores, I have decided to make my own. After hemming the fabric, I looked up a bit of info on the flag, and now I am worried that continuing my flag might be a) breaking Finnish flag laws. (I live in the US, but still.) and B) Be disrespectful.
Here are my concerns:
*The dimensions and proportions may not be right, with the flag itself and the cross that I was planning to draw on it.
*The blue paint pen I am using is close to the actual flag's blue color, but a bit lighter.
* When I am not holding the flag for pictures, I will neatly fold it up and place it in a messenger bag. The thing is, I will have to put said messenger bag on the ground occasionally when I sit down to eat etc.


Should I just stop making the flag? I don't want to disrespect a Finnish national symbol!

Comments

[idraax.livejournal.com]

I think if the flag doesn't get dirty, you should be fine with placing it in the messenger bag. You could place it in another bag first and then place the bag in the messenger bag, if the convention is taking place outdoors.

[schizounicorn.livejournal.com]

You are probably right.
I'm still worried about the dimensions and such, though.

[trashtheidols.livejournal.com]

I got curious, so i searched around a bit and found this site http://www.flags-flags-flags.org.uk/finland-flag.htm, from where i think the following should be considered in your case:

"-The Finland flag should never be allowed to drag along the ground"

...because is common -at least where i live- in events to see cosplayers wear the flags over their shoulders, like capes, and if the person's too short, or the flag's too big, the latter could get on the ground.
I don't think that'll be a problem if you're gonna place it in a bag/messenger bag, though.
As for the dimensions, i don't think there should be any problem, as long as the blue isn't too light, and the cross is done the right way ._.

[schizounicorn.livejournal.com]

(I messed up and didn't press the reply button before, so I had to delete my previous comment. XD)
Good to know. I know that the cross intersection is closer to the left side (where the pole would be if I were to fly it) so I'll keep that in mind.

[jetlagged.livejournal.com]

Thought i'd just add that on that same site, there's also this : "The Finland flag should never be fastened, displayed, used, or stored in such a manner as to permit the Flag to be easily torn, soiled, or damaged in any way" - so when you're putting it in your bag, just be careful that there's not anything in there that could rip it or get it dirty.
It also says on there "The shape and flag ratio of the Finland flag is described as 11:18" but i'm not sure if you if you already know that but just don't know if your specific handmade one is right. |'D;; Also, I would definitely look up a few more (official?) websites and make sure that there's no discrepancies in the certain rules that you're looking at. Anyway, good luck with your cosplay! ^_^

[schizounicorn.livejournal.com]

It is 17.5x9.3. I am bad with ratios, but I think this is wrong. Thankfully, I haven't drawn the cross on it yet, so I can go out and get more fabric tomorrow.

[omgimsuchadork.livejournal.com]

Question: are you using this as a flag, or just as something that is designed like the flag but has another purpose, e.g., a blanket?

If you're going to use it as a flag, you can put it in a bag and have the bag touch the ground, because the flag won't be directly on the ground.

Here (http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Flag_of_Finland_(Construction_sheet).svg) is the construction sheet of the Finnish flag, with proper dimensions (11x18). There's also the Wiki article (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_Finland#Other_rules).

I started this comment ages ago and then I had internet trouble, so if someone else has already posted this information, I'm sorry!

[schizounicorn.livejournal.com]

I'm making a home made flag. :D

[kainoliero.livejournal.com]

You ought to be safe, esp. since you're making the flag yourself. The flag rules mostly concern official flags, and a self-made flag is not an official one unless it's so well made it could be mistaken for it, meaning the dimensions are correct and the colours just right. For example, just a few weeks back someone here in Finland marked dog poops with the bluecross and that wasn't considered illegal, since the tiny flags used could not have been mistaken for the real flag.

Keeping the flag in a bag is good enough to ensure you're treating it with respect, even if you had to place the bag itself on the ground. The only other rule I can think of is that if you need to throw the flag away you must burn it or cut it into pieces that are so small you people cannot see what it originally was (and you can't sell a self-made flag pretending it's a real one).

[schizounicorn.livejournal.com]

Thank you SO MUCH for clearing this up! XD
Now I don't have to buy more fabric.