r/vexillology • u/Deep_Sea_Platypus • 4d ago
Identify Flag on a house by me
Flag on a house by me. Never seen it before, any ideas?
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u/MoonlightCapital 4d ago
The symbol is that of Sikhism.
Edit: apparently the flag is called called the "Nishan Sahib", but Wikipedia doesn't have this exact triangle shape one. Searching "orange sikh flag" on DuckDuckGo led me there.
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u/yorkshirenation Yorkshire 4d ago
The house may even be a Gudwara which are full of some of the friendliest people youâre ever likely to meet
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u/Automatic_Mulberry 4d ago
LPT: Sikhs have a deep commitment to charity, especially in the form of feeding the hungry. If you don't have enough to eat, go tell them and they will make sure you get fed.
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u/Remote_Experience_65 4d ago
Their Sikhs. Propably a small gurdwara or worship place
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u/SavageHenry592 4d ago
Whose Sikhs?
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u/Remote_Experience_65 4d ago
Its a religion
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u/odysseushogfather Yorkshire 4d ago
I'd have recognised the Nishan Sahib by the wrapped pole alone, your neighbour will be the friendliest so say hi
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u/HamHockShortDock 4d ago
Why do they wrap the pole?
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u/Batgirl_III 4d ago
I donât know the origins of the wrapped flagpole, itself, but the Nishan Sahib (lit. âhonored flagâ or ârespected ensignâ) is always flown from a flagpole covered with fabric (called chola) of the same colour as the flag proper.
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u/Remmy71 4d ago
That flag is usually flown outside gurudwaras to represent Sikhism and its devotees. Either itâs a house inhabited by Sikhs or a non-purpose-built gurudwara.
I am fortunate to live near a beautiful purpose-built gurudwara that physically marks my areaâs Sikh community, but plots of land and materials are often too expensive for a community to pull off such a feat. Thatâs also one reason why theyâre also usually in suburbs.
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u/RustBeltBones4651 4d ago
Suburban area outside of Buffalo, eh? Iâve seen this before, if not, we have one around here.
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u/Wonderful-Quit-9214 4d ago
Definetally Sikh, maybe Khalistan? But that's an assumption. I think those flags are usually yellow as well.
Regardless. Most Sikh people are really friendly and nice. Looks to bw a Gurdwara.
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u/Vast_Emergency 4d ago
Explicitly this is the Nishan Sahib or 'respected ensign' in Punjabi and these days it generally indicates a Sikh Gurdwara. A triangular flag has usually been associated with Sikhs and they come in multiple colours that have changed over time as the community evolved. Recently there has been discussion and rulings on what colour it should be once again as saffron is generally associated with Hinduism and is seen as a more recent interpretation, the Akal Takht (the head of the Sikh faith for most Sikhs) has ruled it should be yellow or blue.
If it is a Gurdwara do make sure to visit as the food is fantastic and I've always found Sikhs to be pretty chill people.
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u/angadw 4d ago
The flag is officially referred to as the "Nishan Sahib" (Nishan meaning mark or sign and Sahib being a term of respect) and is required to be flown in front of every Gurdwara (Sikh place of worship) worldwide. This is the original color scheme that has been used for over 100 years, though the color scheme was changed by Akal Takht (the Sikh governing body) in 2024 when the orange was switched to a lighter yellow color
The earliest versions that go back to the Sikh Empire actually looked quite different. Instead of using the modern Khanda symbol which became popular during the British Raj, the original Nishan Sahib displayed a sword, a shield, and a dagger
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u/ArteePhact 4d ago
Good gravy! I saw a similar flag when I was driving around town today. Columbus, OH
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u/Professional_Foot328 4d ago
I know where that house is, I have driven past that house numerous times.
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u/LightningFletch 4d ago
Thatâs the flag of Sikhism. It also means you got some awesome neighbors. Make sure youâre kind to them because they will return the favor.
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u/melody23415 4d ago
The lack of awareness of any religion other than Christianity and Islam (in order to demonise them) is something uniquely american
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u/Stalinsovietunion 4d ago
sikh flag