Great Waters Association of Vexillology
Encyclopedia
The Great Waters Association of Vexillology (GWAV) is an organization devoted to vexillology
, the scientific study of flags
. GWAV has a particular focus on flags found in the Midwest.
The group was established May 11, 1991 in Kettering, Ohio
, a suburb of Dayton. Initially, the members met with the intent to establish a local chapter of the North American Vexillological Association
(NAVA). When NAVA decided to not have chapters, the group set out to be independent.
Initially, the group covered the US States of Indiana
, Kentucky
, Michigan
and Ohio
. The name acknowledges the Great Lakes
and Ohio River
as vital components of this region. In 2000, the State of Illinois
was added.
The organization’s flag was designed in 1991 and was modified with the addition of Illinois in 2000. It currently depicts five chevrons or “V”s on a blue background. The chevrons (which resemble the letter V) represent Vexillology, and alternate in color from white to red indicate each of the states covered by the group.
The group meets semi-annually, normally in May and November and in 1990, began to publish Flagwaver, a Journal of Vexillology each June and December. The journal features articles about flags used within the five states comprising the organization. Among those highlighted are the flags of Springfield
, and Chicago in Illinois; Detroit and Grand Rapids
in Michigan; Cleveland
and Cincinnati, Ohio and Louisville, Kentucky
.
In May 1999, the membership established the Commodore Award and the Flying Colors Award. The Commodore award is given for significant individual contribution to the field of vexillology, especially in, but not limited to the GWAV states and the Flying Colors Award is presented to a flag designer and adopting entity for excellence in flag design.
In 1999, GWAV became a member of International Federation of Vexillological Associations, known by its French acronym FIAV (Fédération internationale des associations vexillologiques
). It is one of 42 member federations.
GWAV hosted the North American Vexillological Association’s 1995 annual meeting in Covington, Kentucky
, the 2000 annual meeting in Lansing, Michigan
and the 2004 annual meeting in Indianapolis, Indiana
.
Vexillology
Vexillology is the scholarly study of flags. The word is a synthesis of the Latin word vexillum, meaning 'flag', and the Greek suffix -logy, meaning 'study'. The vexillum was a particular type of flag used by Roman legions during the classical era; its name is a diminutive form of the word velum...
, the scientific study of flags
FLAGS
The FLAGS pipeline is a natural gas pipeline in the North Sea which is used to transport liquids and associated gas from the following fields:* Cormorant A* North Cormorant* North West Hutton...
. GWAV has a particular focus on flags found in the Midwest.
The group was established May 11, 1991 in Kettering, Ohio
Kettering, Ohio
As of the census of 2000, there were 57,502 people, 25,657 households, and 15,727 families residing in the city. The population density was 3,077.4 people per square mile . There were 26,936 housing units at an average density of 1,441.6 per square mile...
, a suburb of Dayton. Initially, the members met with the intent to establish a local chapter of the North American Vexillological Association
North American Vexillological Association
The North American Vexillological Association is a membership organization devoted to "vexillology as the scientific study of flags." Flag researchers, designers, collectors, activists, merchants, and other enthusiasts from the United States and Canada meet annually at NAVA meetings in order to...
(NAVA). When NAVA decided to not have chapters, the group set out to be independent.
Initially, the group covered the US States of Indiana
Indiana
Indiana is a US state, admitted to the United States as the 19th on December 11, 1816. It is located in the Midwestern United States and Great Lakes Region. With 6,483,802 residents, the state is ranked 15th in population and 16th in population density. Indiana is ranked 38th in land area and is...
, Kentucky
Kentucky
The Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America. As classified by the United States Census Bureau, Kentucky is a Southern state, more specifically in the East South Central region. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states constituted as a commonwealth...
, Michigan
Michigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
and Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
. The name acknowledges the Great Lakes
Great Lakes
The Great Lakes are a collection of freshwater lakes located in northeastern North America, on the Canada – United States border. Consisting of Lakes Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie, and Ontario, they form the largest group of freshwater lakes on Earth by total surface, coming in second by volume...
and Ohio River
Ohio River
The Ohio River is the largest tributary, by volume, of the Mississippi River. At the confluence, the Ohio is even bigger than the Mississippi and, thus, is hydrologically the main stream of the whole river system, including the Allegheny River further upstream...
as vital components of this region. In 2000, the State of Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
was added.
The organization’s flag was designed in 1991 and was modified with the addition of Illinois in 2000. It currently depicts five chevrons or “V”s on a blue background. The chevrons (which resemble the letter V) represent Vexillology, and alternate in color from white to red indicate each of the states covered by the group.
The group meets semi-annually, normally in May and November and in 1990, began to publish Flagwaver, a Journal of Vexillology each June and December. The journal features articles about flags used within the five states comprising the organization. Among those highlighted are the flags of Springfield
Flag of Springfield, Illinois
The municipal flag of Springfield, Illinois, is the lawful flag of the capital of the U.S. state of Illinois, Springfield. Its background is "Old Glory blue". The flag is emblazoned with a circle of 20 small, white stars, all pointed upward; the circle is offset, slightly, to the left of the flag....
, and Chicago in Illinois; Detroit and Grand Rapids
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Grand Rapids is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. The city is located on the Grand River about 40 miles east of Lake Michigan. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 188,040. In 2010, the Grand Rapids metropolitan area had a population of 774,160 and a combined statistical area, Grand...
in Michigan; Cleveland
Flag of Cleveland, Ohio
The municipal flag of Cleveland serves as the representative banner of the city of Cleveland, Ohio, United States. It consists of three vertical stripes, of equal width, in red, white and blue respectively. The center white stripe bears the American shield with the word "Cleveland" across its...
and Cincinnati, Ohio and Louisville, Kentucky
Flag of Louisville, Kentucky
The municipal flag of Louisville consists of a golden fleur-de-lis with two stars surrounded by the circular Louisville • Jefferson County METRO on a blue background...
.
In May 1999, the membership established the Commodore Award and the Flying Colors Award. The Commodore award is given for significant individual contribution to the field of vexillology, especially in, but not limited to the GWAV states and the Flying Colors Award is presented to a flag designer and adopting entity for excellence in flag design.
In 1999, GWAV became a member of International Federation of Vexillological Associations, known by its French acronym FIAV (Fédération internationale des associations vexillologiques
Fédération internationale des associations vexillologiques
The Fédération internationale des associations vexillologiques is an international federation of 55 regional, national, and multinational associations and institutions across the globe that study vexillology, which FIAV defines in its constitution as "the creation and development of a body of...
). It is one of 42 member federations.
GWAV hosted the North American Vexillological Association’s 1995 annual meeting in Covington, Kentucky
Covington, Kentucky
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 43,370 people, 18,257 households, and 10,132 families residing in the city. The population density was 3,301.3 people per square mile . There were 20,448 housing units at an average density of 1,556.5 per square mile...
, the 2000 annual meeting in Lansing, Michigan
Lansing, Michigan
Lansing is the capital of the U.S. state of Michigan. It is located mostly in Ingham County, although small portions of the city extend into Eaton County. The 2010 Census places the city's population at 114,297, making it the fifth largest city in Michigan...
and the 2004 annual meeting in Indianapolis, Indiana
Indianapolis, Indiana
Indianapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Indiana, and the county seat of Marion County, Indiana. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city's population is 839,489. It is by far Indiana's largest city and, as of the 2010 U.S...
.