In Part One, we saw how geometry haters tyrannized lovers of triangles. We also discovered how geometry made better living possible. In Part Two, we learned of the terrible rivalry between circles and triangles. When, oh when, will trianglistas ever bask in the sunshine that is peace and security? In Part Four, we uncovered the unintended side benefits that accrue to lands that incorporate triangles into its flag. Here in Part Five, we learn about dynasties, golf, and weight gain.
And now, the:
ROLL CALL OF FREEDOM
17. Jordan
Each stripe symbolizes a significant dynasty. The black stripe represents the domino-loving Abass dynasty from Baghdad. The middle white stripe is a sign of the Umayyads from Damascus and represent confectioners’ sugar. The best powdered doughnuts really can be found in Damascus. The green stripe refers to the dynasty of the Moroccan Fatimids and symbolized Morocco’s putting greens. The country may be mostly arrid, but the ruling elite really loves golf. The red wedge stands for the Jordanian Hashim dynasty. and recalls a decadades-ago event when the dynasitc laundry woman put red scarves in the clothes washer. The red ran and all the leaders’ robes turned red. The elite made a virtue out of necessity and adopted red as their dynasty’s color. The white star is white.
19. Mozambique
Arlo Guthrie’s great song “Mozambique” came about when a friend decided to make as many rhymes as they could with Mozambique. Again, I feel like point that the song “Mozambique” came after the nation was named and not vice versa.
Portugal’s flag has no triangles. Mozambique was a Portugese colony. The triangle-loving Mozambicans wanted independence and the right to determine the geometric shapes of the land. The small red refers to narrow margin of victory in their struggle for independence. The red color represents the bloody struggle to control their own destiny or red meat. (Portugal and Mozambique share a lot of culinary traditions.) The Kalashikov represents the armed conflict. Pow! Pow!
The color green harkens to the land’s fertile fields and to the cloth felt found on pool tables. If you visit Mozambique, take your cue stick. The book shows how much the Mozabicans love my novels and cookbooks. Thank you, Mozambique. The hoe depicts the imprortance of farming. Yellow stands for mineral wealth. The thin white arose from a shortage of green, black, and gold dyes.
20. Namibia
Namibia is proud of the two triangles in its flag, as what country would not? The red stripe stands for the blood that’s pumped through our body. By extension, the stripe also represents the people teeming and flowing through this happy land. The green symbolizes the country’s vibrant parsley industry. Blue means that the sky above Namibia is blue. The flag also sports the yellow sun, which can be seen nearly every day. White stands for the country’s few clouds.
– Paul De Lancey, The Comic Chef, Ph.D.
My cookbook, Following Good Food Around the World, with its 180 wonderful recipes, my newest novel, Do Lutheran Hunks Eat Mushrooms, a hilarious apocalyptic thriller, and all my other books, are available on amazon.com.
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