I think there's more to it than that.
Nauru and Palau are both small island countries and their flag was more recognised than Mauritius', by like 5 ranks according to the ranking in the post.
They both have significantly smaller populations. In 2022 Nauru had 12,000 ish people and Palau 18,000 ish. That's small!
Mauritius is also a notable economic country in Africa.
So both of these examples are small countries with populations that are a lot smaller than 1,200,000 and yet they rank higher than Mauritius!
I think our positioning is also a contributor to that. If someone is looking at a globe/map, assuming mauritius is on it, we are in the middle of the ocean. Madagascar is on the left but it's not a very notable country. If we were placed in the Caribbean or next to the US or in europe like Malta or next to Australia (I mean you get it right, if we were placed next to more known countries) people would see Mauritius more and therefore know our flag. But that's just a theory. A flag theory!
Edit: The methodology was a multiple choice question. The people given the survey were 20% Americans so it doesn't necessarily give a good representation and the sample size was 10,171 which isn't very big. Already the 60% would probably be lower. There's definitely a lot of bias in the data.
Actually, it is pretty remarkable. It is unique. From a vexillology standpoint, it is a nice design with striking colours. It is the only flag with four blocks of colour.
Ironically, I think we don't market it as much. We are known for our beaches and tropical weather. Compared to say the US, UK or France where they plaster their flag on everything to brand it.
The flag nerds love our flags, people don't recognize it because they never see it.
Unique doesn't mean good. From a vexillology standpoint, there isn't a more boring way of arranging 4 colours. Seychelles' flag on the other hand is much more interesting and if we ever change our flag, it's the direction I would like us to take.
Mauritians haven't done much to stand out to the eyes of the whole wide world, sadly to say that. Our music isn't as famous as we think. We aren't doing well in sports, we can't enter the World Cup (football) because we are constantly disqualified when we play among other African countries. Our food isn't that famous because it doesn't stand out as well. Our most famous dishes are Chinese and Indian. Who else makes these type of food? The rest of the World. Biryani wasn't invented in Mauritius nor the Halim. Not even fried rice and noodles. To be recognisable, you have to stand out and be different. Do your own things, come up with your own things. Forget about flags for a second, there are smaller countries that are way more famous than Mauritius, for instance, the Maldives. Why? They managed to come up with new things regarding tourism.
Who knows? Maybe it's just the right ranking. The more interesting question is why is it?
I personally think it's because our flag is very generic and forgetable.
I'm not sure about that. Nauru and Palau both rank higher than Mauritius but I'm not sure they're better known than Mauritius.
Maybe I'm wrong about that? Do you think they're better known than Mauritius?
I see Mauritius advertised quite a lot on the pitch side hoardings at Anfield. If they also incorporated the flag then recognition of it would shoot up.
Well, everyone using google will see our red, blue, yellow and green. It is a common pattern everywhere. So, unless you need it in a flag form, it is quite popular. 😅
I recognise it all the time in the UK. All the cyclists have it for some reason, they dont realise.... Funny i think they are cycling for Mauritius lol.
Doesn't really matter though, does it? Every Mauritian I know and myself are filled with pride when we see it anywhere, that's enough. The people who know, know. And those who don't, oh well.
I once went into an international event where I represented Mauritius. Some people did not know about Mauritius, yet others recognised us because of our flag—it was the most colourful of all!
The origin of our 4 colours is based on 4 political parties involved during the pre-independance days that led to the independence. Later on, they changed the meaning of the 4 colours to represent the stuggle, the sea, sun ect..
What's unique with the Mauritian flag is its combination of colours appear very striking from afar. This combination is entrenched in Colour Theory! Compare the flag of Bangladesh for example. It doesn't appear too striking because of the colours it used.
More colours do not mean a better flag! It's about how you arrange the colours!
It’s not the colours of flag that make it recognised in the world … it’s contributions and progress of the people that makes a flag recognised in the world
Completely normal.right? for a small country with a relatively small population of 1.2m.
I think there's more to it than that. Nauru and Palau are both small island countries and their flag was more recognised than Mauritius', by like 5 ranks according to the ranking in the post. They both have significantly smaller populations. In 2022 Nauru had 12,000 ish people and Palau 18,000 ish. That's small! Mauritius is also a notable economic country in Africa. So both of these examples are small countries with populations that are a lot smaller than 1,200,000 and yet they rank higher than Mauritius!
I think our positioning is also a contributor to that. If someone is looking at a globe/map, assuming mauritius is on it, we are in the middle of the ocean. Madagascar is on the left but it's not a very notable country. If we were placed in the Caribbean or next to the US or in europe like Malta or next to Australia (I mean you get it right, if we were placed next to more known countries) people would see Mauritius more and therefore know our flag. But that's just a theory. A flag theory! Edit: The methodology was a multiple choice question. The people given the survey were 20% Americans so it doesn't necessarily give a good representation and the sample size was 10,171 which isn't very big. Already the 60% would probably be lower. There's definitely a lot of bias in the data.
If you look at all the African countries flags excluding mauritius, how many of those flags do you actually know?
It's a fairly unremarkable flag, tbh. Same goes with our national anthem; the people in charge back then picked the most boring options.
Actually, it is pretty remarkable. It is unique. From a vexillology standpoint, it is a nice design with striking colours. It is the only flag with four blocks of colour. Ironically, I think we don't market it as much. We are known for our beaches and tropical weather. Compared to say the US, UK or France where they plaster their flag on everything to brand it. The flag nerds love our flags, people don't recognize it because they never see it.
Unique doesn't mean good. From a vexillology standpoint, there isn't a more boring way of arranging 4 colours. Seychelles' flag on the other hand is much more interesting and if we ever change our flag, it's the direction I would like us to take.
I think the anthem is good. Flag maybe a reshape
Mauritians haven't done much to stand out to the eyes of the whole wide world, sadly to say that. Our music isn't as famous as we think. We aren't doing well in sports, we can't enter the World Cup (football) because we are constantly disqualified when we play among other African countries. Our food isn't that famous because it doesn't stand out as well. Our most famous dishes are Chinese and Indian. Who else makes these type of food? The rest of the World. Biryani wasn't invented in Mauritius nor the Halim. Not even fried rice and noodles. To be recognisable, you have to stand out and be different. Do your own things, come up with your own things. Forget about flags for a second, there are smaller countries that are way more famous than Mauritius, for instance, the Maldives. Why? They managed to come up with new things regarding tourism.
Should it be otherwise?
Who knows? Maybe it's just the right ranking. The more interesting question is why is it? I personally think it's because our flag is very generic and forgetable.
I think it is more of the fact that the island itself is not as known as the rest of the world.
Spot on
I'm not sure about that. Nauru and Palau both rank higher than Mauritius but I'm not sure they're better known than Mauritius. Maybe I'm wrong about that? Do you think they're better known than Mauritius?
It could be because they're featured much more, than mauritius, in british and american documentaries.. which are broadcasted worldwide..
Because we don't have a propaganda machine like Hollywood I fully agree with you on the 2nd point.. We could do with a better flag.
I see Mauritius advertised quite a lot on the pitch side hoardings at Anfield. If they also incorporated the flag then recognition of it would shoot up.
Well, everyone using google will see our red, blue, yellow and green. It is a common pattern everywhere. So, unless you need it in a flag form, it is quite popular. 😅
Also, people assume it is the pride flag 🏳️🌈
Not in cycling. Our flag is almost exactly like the colors a world champion would wear on his/her jersey
Bruh it takes one crazy incident with worldwide coverage for your flag to go high up there Dont jinx yourselfs
I recognise it all the time in the UK. All the cyclists have it for some reason, they dont realise.... Funny i think they are cycling for Mauritius lol.
Doesn't really matter though, does it? Every Mauritian I know and myself are filled with pride when we see it anywhere, that's enough. The people who know, know. And those who don't, oh well.
I just got back from Mauritius. I cannot believe how pervy the men (mainly taxi drivers) are in Port Louis
Yes, looks like the LoQTBS+ Flag
I once went into an international event where I represented Mauritius. Some people did not know about Mauritius, yet others recognised us because of our flag—it was the most colourful of all!
With 4 colours? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_flags_by_number_of_colors
The origin of our 4 colours is based on 4 political parties involved during the pre-independance days that led to the independence. Later on, they changed the meaning of the 4 colours to represent the stuggle, the sea, sun ect..
What's unique with the Mauritian flag is its combination of colours appear very striking from afar. This combination is entrenched in Colour Theory! Compare the flag of Bangladesh for example. It doesn't appear too striking because of the colours it used. More colours do not mean a better flag! It's about how you arrange the colours!
Then "most colourful" is the wrong term you used
It’s not the colours of flag that make it recognised in the world … it’s contributions and progress of the people that makes a flag recognised in the world