The Water Vikings are a long-standing army, sailing in Club Penguin for almost one and a half decades. As we have learned, along with this comes a great variety of flags and other symbolism, which seek to capture the army’s essence. So today we will be having a look at the different flags of the Water Vikings over those many years.
Designed by Dino
Flags and Army Identity
Flags are an essential part of geopolitics. Especially in terms of national identity, they play a crucial role. In this case, it would be more appropriate to refer to it as ‘army identity.’ Nevertheless, flags can serve as a strong symbol, representing an individual’s connection to the larger group. This sense of belonging is essential for an army’s unity and performance. Hence, flags have great potential in shaping the identity of an army, particularly in establishing a sense of pride. But also for the formation of hate against the foe, they can be effective.
Most times, flags are overlooked as just a small part that makes up the army as a whole. Usually disregarded, they are likely the first thing individuals will associate with and note about a particular army. Members of an army, often have been confronted by various means of symbolism used in such a context. They have likely felt the impact symbols can have in a community, even for a community as small and niche as a Club Penguin army.
First Flag (2014-2020)
Original of the first known flag of the WV
Despite there being memories of earlier flags, they are lost to time. Hence, this flag of the Water Vikings is the first we will be discussing today. It was originally created in 2014. served the army throughout many years as one of their symbols. After the WV’s revival on May 19 2020, the army decided for the continued use of the flag.
It features many different colors on two different layers. The background layer presents an artwork of the Club Penguin landscape, made to be blurry. Undoubtedly, this brings the front layer more into presence. This features the text “Water Vikings of CP” in dark blue, alongside a logo displaying a stylized Viking’s head, in dark blue and white plus shading.
Needless to say, this flag is a bit different from the other flags we have had in Flag Frenzy. It is very distinctive and one would immediately see it as a symbol of the Vikings. However, the flag looks more like a corporate logo placed atop a blurry Club Penguin background. Regardless, it is an eye-catcher and has served the army well for a long time.
Second Flag (2020-2021)
Original of the second known flag of the WV
In the summer of 2020, the Vikings decided to hold an art contest. But not any regular art contest, but a contest to design the army’s new official flag. Hence, with the contest’s conclusion on August 25 2020, the flag above was officially declared the winner. Designed by the then new WV member Konfusion, it would see itself in place until the next year.
The flag, again, is a very distinctive one. This time looking like an actual flag more than the latter, but the style of a painting is nevertheless apparent. Hence, it also features little to no edges, being more of a smooth and non-linear drawing made into a flag. Featuring a dark blue background, with a wave of many blue shades emerging from the classic blue Viking helmet. A yellow thunderbolt is placed in the middle, dividing the field diagonally. Atop, a large white and blue text reading “WV” is added. The motto of the army “Fear the Wave” is added below, decorating the wave in its dark blue coloring.
The symbolism is strong in this flag. It features many iconic symbols and text of the army, tying it together under one flag. Despite the flag being unconventional in design, it does a good and unique job in expressing the army. Most prominently the strong blue colors, together with the typical wave the people fear and the Viking helmet of their uniform. It combines meaning, strength, and pride under one combined image. Even if it sets itself apart from the norm like this, it is by no means a terrible flag.
Third Flag (2021-2022)
Original of the third known flag of the WV
The third flag of WV much more resembles what one would think of as a flag. It started to be used in 2022 and is featured in conflicts such as World War VIII, in which the army partook. Having been created by former WV leader Dino, it served as the official flag for the army for a timespan of over a year.
The flag is objectively a much simpler and linear one than the previous two. It features a blue background, divided by rays in alternating lighter and darker shades, focussed on the center point of the flag. A centered Nordic cross, dark blue, white, and black, is dividing the field into quarters. In the middle, a small logo is placed atop, covering the exact center of the flag. The logo itself features a blue background and 3 penguins dressed in the army’s uniform.
flag Flag (2022-present)
Original of the fourth known and current flag of the WV
The flag currently in official use by the Vikings was adopted on April 13 2022. Already in use for over 2 years, it is clear that this flag has captured the hearts of the army the most out of those we have seen so far. Having been created by former WV leader Pjayo, it serves as a simple but proud identificator of the strong army.
The design is in stark contrast to all previous flags: With blue and white it features two simple colors in great contrast to one another. It even follows the rule of tincture, in which metal and metal (white or yellow) are not to be placed atop other metals. The same goes for colors and other colors. Donning a white raven borrowed from the Norse raven banner, the flag uses color and a simple symbol to identify its army. Having been used by the real Vikings, the raven connects the blue of the water with the symbols of the Vikings. This is a beautiful flag that perfectly shows that flags do not need to be complicated to be pretty much perfect.
War Flag
War flag of the Water Vikings
Much like the Elite Guardians of Club Penguin, already discussed in the first edition of Flag Frenzy, the Water Vikings also feature a war flag. It was first come into use on June 1 2023, when it was first revealed. Like the flag in use from 2021 to 2022, this flag was also designed by Dino, being a passionate vyxillographer himself.
This flag uses the Norwegian navy ensign and war flag as its base and is slightly changed, but kept true to its ideal. A swallowtail with a tongue, the flag has a design not often seen in flags. Typically, a swallowtail, in vexillology, is a flag with a v-shape at mostly the fly end, resembling the tail of the bird. Hereby, tongue refers to the third tail in the middle. It is a design often seen in Nordic war and marine flags, but also one such design was used as the first flag of the Winged Hussars.
Moving on to the coloring, the red base is seen being exchanged for a blue, darker than the shade on the army’s flag. Much like the flag from 2021-2022, the cross featured is recolored to white and black. In the first quadrant, upper left corner, the Norse raven in white is also featured on this flag. However, due to it being a war flag, the raven is bearing a sword in its beak, which is a nice addition to a flag of such nature. Overall, we can only admit that it is a very interesting and well-designed flag.
Club Penguin Armies reached out to former WV leader Dino for an exclusive interview about his thoughts and his creations
How do feel about the current flag of the army?
It’s very good. Pjayo did a good job making it. Obviously, it’s a very basic flag but it’s also very recognizable and matches WV’s Nordic theme perfectly. It’s not a flag that will make someone upset nor break any guidelines.
Can you explain your thought process and the meaning behind the 2021-2022 flag?
So the making of the 2021-2022 flag was based off suggestions from Jack and Potassium (shoutout to them). They felt a centered Nordic cross was pretty cool and I put my own spin on it with the symbol and shading. Looking bad, I dislike it design wise but it had a cool idea. We eventually phased it out bc too many people were associating it with Imperial Japan, which wasn’t the intention but looking back I can see the similarities.
Why did you feel like the army needed a war flag? Did you enjoy the design process?
I made the war flag originally for a planned colonial army, the Vikingkommandoer (Viking Commandos). However, when I saw EGCP adopted a war flag, I repurposed the Vikingkommandoer flag for both purposes. I really enjoyed the designing process and think adds a good amount of nation RP to WV which CPA needs more of like in OG. CPA is really like a politics simulator. Doesn’t mean get all LARPy about unrealistic things, but something me and Superhero123 agree on is that CPA is a politics simulator and is what makes it a lot more fun, especially for me as a former leader.
Over the years, the Water Vikings have been seen donning several flags different in their appearance. A lot has changed and we can only admit their growing process in the use and display of their symbolism. What is your favourite flag of the Water Vikings? Do you agree that there should be more role-playing elements in CPA, like WV implemented with their war flag?
Shinzō
Reporter
More Information
Reporter in Training for the CPA and Head Journalist for the Gazeta Husarska. WH Monarch and former Emperor.