What’s in a name seal? | Photo via City of Greenville
We all know the South Carolina flag. Its unmistakable design lines each corner of the Palmetto State, from license plates and bumper stickers, to the poles outside schools and government buildings.
That got us thinking — why doesn’t Greenville have a flag?
Flag vs. seal
While a flag is used to symbolize a city’s culture, identity, history, or any other facet of life, a seal is a functional tool of government. Greenville’s is pictured above — you might have seen it stamped onto official documentation after waiting in line at City Hall.
But in Greenville, plenty of thought went into the circular black and white image.
A quick history lesson
In 1973, the city was looking for a new seal, and had a list of criteria:
They wanted something round.
They wanted something symbolic.
They wanted something with strong visual identity.
And they wanted a progressive, modern image.
The lines with the dots above represent people, the triangles between them are representative of nature and could be seen as trees or mountains, and the cog in the middle represents industry.
All three are connected within a circular structure to symbolize the unity of these three elements working together.
Flagging down the future
So, why doesn’t Greenville have a flag? There’s not really a clear answer for this. Officials simply haven’t chosen to create one.
Perhaps Greenville will join the club one day. The closest we can find is a Reddit user’s flag designs for the city, posted several years ago. With so many wonderful creatives + artists in this city, it’s surely only a matter of time.
Asked
Asked
Do you want Greenville to adopt an official flag?
A. Yes, I’d like to design it myself. B. Yes, we should have one by now. C. I don’t mind either way. D. No, who cares?
“Your English teacher and your gym teacher are getting married.” That’s how Taylor Swift announced her engagement to Travis Kelce via Instagram. While we raise a glass to the happy couple, consider this Greenville’s bid to host what will undoubtedly be the wedding of the century.
Trending
Have you heard of chair yoga? The mind-body practice, which swaps a mat for a chair, has risen in popularity thanks to its easily accessible and inclusive nature. Try a few poses at home, or roll out your mat at one of Greenville’s yoga studios.
Eat
I scream, you scream, we all scream for Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams, aka the most popular ice cream brand in South Carolina. While we’d never pass up a pint of Brambleberry Crisp, GVL’s local ice cream shops also serve scoops we love.
Shop
LEGO’s newest ideas set was designed by Portland, OR teenager Alex Sahli, depicting daily life in Italy’s coastal villages. This is our official pitch to have a model built after the Furman Bell Tower — or really, any of our iconic landmarks.
Feel Good
A Hot Wheels Car Library has popped up in Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia after a father and his son built it together, allowing other kiddos to take a car or leave a car. If you’re looking for a more traditional, book-centered library, we’ve got some ideas for Greenville.
Tech
Google has launched Preferred Sources in the US, a feature that allows your favorite sources to appear more frequently in search results. This is great news if you love GVLtoday — you can follow Google’s instructions to see even more of our hyperlocal content.
Number
37. That’s how many haunted houses are in South Carolina, according to The Scare Factor, though that number may climb if more haunts make their presence known. You can explore the directory to find one near you, but only if you’re brave enough.
Wake up, it’s gameday. Grab the wings, beer, and Tigers merch, because Clemson football is back, and watch parties will be going off.
Who’s excited for tonight’s huge home season opener vs. LSU? Make sure to tune in on ESPN, or if you’re feeling adventurous, it’s not too late to grab tickets. Go Tigers.
A 3-in-1 wireless charging station, currently 31% off for Labor Day. This best-selling charger can take on your smartphone, smartwatch, and earbuds all at one time using rapid charging power.
The fun doesn’t have to end here. After reading the newsletter, head over to our games page. Games refresh with new challenges every day at 6 a.m. from crossword puzzle to Sudoku to themed word search.
And just like that, it’s almost September. Where did the time go? While I’m a big fan of summer, I’m definitely excited for the joy and comfort that fall brings. The change of pace as we approach the winter months feels like a deep, calming breath.
Personally, the flavors are one of the best parts of the upcoming season. The freshest local produce from a farmers market will make your kitchen smell extra cozy.
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