Flags of Domlandia
It is difficult to get an understanding of what Domlandian flags were prior to the late 19th century, due to both poor record keeping on the part of historians and deliberate destruction of old artifacts by the Biggonian SIS during both period of occupation in order to destroy a national identity. However, it is understood that over history numerous flags were used to represent the various Domlandian polities. The few times Domlandia was unified, it would only be for a single generation under a warlord-esque figure and therefore their flags were not reused by successors. One of the few sources surrounding flags used by pre-modern Domlandians was that of accounts of the Biggonian Kingdom war, where a unified Domlandia fought against a coalition of Biggonian Kingdoms. Artists illustrations and eyewitness accounts state that the Domlandian army would tend to carry local banners, carrying words, family symbols, or various gods and spirits which represented the individual village or noble family the troops belonged to. Therefore it can be concluded that little in the way of a Domlandian Flag existed prior the mid 19th century.
Sultanate of Domlandia (1857/8-1874)
The last time an independent Domlandian monarchy ruled the nation was also during the rise of Biggonian nationalism in the mid to late 19th century. Under the ----- dynasty, the Sultanate attempted to formalise and creating a long-lasting system, which they did through creating a flag. Although few photos exist and there are no surviving instances of the Domlandian flag during this period; vexiologists have tried their best to reconstruct the Domlandian Sultanate's flag based on as much information as possible. The Domlandian Sultanate was destroyed during the invasion of Domlandia by the Biggonian Confederation in 1874, and was reformed as the Viceroyalty of Domlandia the following year.
Many design motifs, especially the colours on the flag, are repeated in later iterations of the Domlandian nation. Importantly, the goddess Isil is repeated in all later iterations of an independent Domlandia. Although Isil is normally seen simply as the goddess of media, culture, and sport, she was first featured in the Sultanate's flag to simply symbolise Musainon, the capital of Domlandia and of which Isil was the patron goddess. However, in later iterations Isil as a whole came to symbolise Domlandia.
Viceroyalty of Domlandia (1875-1948)
The Viceroyalty of Domlandia was established after the conquest and disestablishment of the Domlandian Sultanate in 1875. The Viceroy would be elected by the Biggonian Imperial Diet to serve for a five-year term. Due to the Biggonian Viceroys in Domlandia lacking their own noble roots, the flag of the Viceroyalty was wholly designed by the new adminastration. It took no inspiration from old Domlandia, being completely designed to eradicate any semblence of old Domlandia and instead reflect Biggonian occupation.
Although the Viceroyalty of Domlandia was almost wholly destroyed by 1946, as isolated Imperial army units fought for survival across the province; the position of Viceroy was only formally abolished in 1948 and the Vicroyalty with it thanks to the Biggonian Empire signing the Treaty of Musainon which recognised Domlandian independence.
First Domlandian Republic (1946/8-1997)
The First Domlandian Repubilc was declared by rebels who had already seized much of the Domlandian countryside and several urban centres, including Musainon, in 1946. Although it would take until 1948 for the fledgling republic to be recognised by the Biggonian Empire, and until 1951 for them to fully restore order, they were able to create their own flag. The Domlandian Republic's flag uses almost identical colours to the Sultanate, however the winged beetle as a symbol of the ----- dynasty was removed to represent the modern Republic. Isil was included, both as a symbol of Domlandia but partially to symbolise an attempt to retake Domlandian culture after its abuse by Biggonian occupiers. As the first modern iteration of an independent Domlandia, the First Domlandian Republic's flag was frequently seen abroad in groups like the INTC, as well as at international summits. Athletes competed under the Domlandian flag at the Junic Games, football world cup, and other sporting competitions. Many old textbooks about the flags of the world still contain the Domlandian Republic's flag. Some early test-builds of emojis from before 1997 even contain the Domlandian Republic's flag, although few of these were published.
The Domlandian Republic's flag ceased to represent any internationally recognsied country after 1997 and the annexation of Domlandia into the Biggonian Empire; however it was used by the Domlandian National Front up until 2023 when it was assimilated into the Domlandian Unity Front. The Domlandian National Front had been founded by the former Domlandian Prime Minister with the support of the Domlandian National Army, and as such believed they were the legitimate continuation of the former Domlandian Republic. During the Musainon Uprising of 2022, Domlandian Rebels hoisted the Republican flag atop the old Domlandian Assembly buliding, however it was quickly taken down after a Biggonian counterattack retook the capital.
Governate of Domlandia (1997-2023)
In contrast to the previous Viceroyalty, Domlandia was under a military governate during the second Biggonian occupation after 1997. As such, it lacked a flag of its own and simply flew the typical flag of the Second Biggonian Empire. Despite numerous attempts to bring the Domlandian governate under civilian adminastration and a permanent flag specific to Domlandia to be introduced, all of these fell through. Interestingly, during provincial sporting competitions both Domlandia and Talland would have the same flag, and to avert confusion the Domlandian sporting association was forced to change their sporting flag to the older Viceroyalty of Domlandia flag, keeping the double headed eagle but making it visually distinct.
Although some nationalists in both the Domlandian Social Republic and Domlandian State continue to fly the Biggonian Imperial flag, many have switched over to the Biggonian Commonwealth flag or even pan-Biggonian flag, especially as flying the Biggonian Imperial flag is a criminal offence in the DSR. The last official use of the Biggonian Imperial flag in Domlandia was on the 4th November 2023, when a flag-lowering ceremony was held in border towns by retreating Imperial soldiers as the DSR liberated them.
Domlandian State (2023-present)
The new Domlandian State flag was first flown during the ceremony where a handful of officials and political moderates gathered in Musainon on 1st October 2023 to declare the Domlandian State. Many design aspects were maintained from the old Domlandian Republic flag, however it became more conventional. Some observors complained that the flag looked too similar to the Biggonian Commonwealth's flag, strengthening arguments that the Domlandian State is a puppet state of Biggonia. The light blue colour was removed and replaced with yellow, with the argument being that it better represented Domlandia's minorities (Biggonians make up 45% of the Domlandian State's population). Isil makes a return onto the flag, as the Domlandian State heralds itself as an evolution of the Domlandian Republic rather than a successor to the Biggonian occupation government in Domlandia.
In the Domlandian State, the flag is simply known as the 'Flag of Domlandia'. Similarly, in Biggonia, this flag tends to be regarded as the modern flag of Domlandia compared to the Domlandian Social Republic's flag which is just called the 'DSR Flag'. This is in contrast to many members of the international community, like North Bardonia, which commonly views the Social Republic as 'Domlandia' whereas it describes the Domlandian State's flag as the 'Domlandian State Flag'. In future sporting competitions, the Domlandian State's flag is likely to make frequent appearances as athletes compete under their flag.
Domlandian Social Republic (2023-present)
The Domlandian Social Republic's flag was created by a convention of artists and philosophers during the formation of the Domlandian Unity Front between socialists and nationalists in mid 2023. The DSR's flag is shared by both the Domlandian Unity Front; which is akin to a ruling party of the DSR; and the actual DSR. Isil is back on this flag, however this time there is a difference as she is surrounded by a wreath and stars. The same colours of blue, black, and red are used again in this flag like in the Sultanate and first Republic flag- however in different shades.
In the DSR, the flag is simply known as the 'Flag of Domlandia'. Similarly in much of the international community like North Bardnoia, this is regarded as the modern flag of Domlandia. However, in Biggonia it tends to simply be known as the 'DSR flag' in comparison to the Domlandian State flag. The DSR flag is somtimes used by guerillas in the demilitarised zone, where organised militia groups launch terror attacks against the Domlandian State. Although the DSR has denied any support and stated that this usage is both unlawful and unauthorised, suspicions still linger. In future sporting competitions, the Domlandian Social Republic's flag is likely to make frequent appearances as athletes compete under their flag.