Formation of the UFP Question?

[T'Girl]

^ Okay, care to take a stab at why there are a total of 55 lesser stars showing, of various sizes?

 

[Therin of Andor]

Two things about that pic:

- Can Bakula's uniform be any MORE ugly?

Well, I think it's cool!

- Who's the Andorian?

Ambassador Thoris:
http://therinofandor.blogspot.com/2007/06/andorians-new-clothes-i-told-you-while.html

I also have that Tellarite covered as well:
http://therinofandor.blogspot.com/2007/08/tellarite-never-reveals-whats-under-his.html

As for the stars, would they be the home stars of Vulcan, Andor and Tellar... as seen from Earth/Sol?

 

[Sci]

This is just me making stuff up, but this is the theory I like:

The circle is a symbol of unity in Andorian culture. The field of smaller stars represent the various star systems united in the Federation. The three bright stars represent justice in Tellarite symbolism. The "laurels" are actually a representation of a Vulcan plant representing equality. And the use of blue and white are from Human culture, representing liberty and peace.

I figure that each Federation Member State gets to have a Federation Flag variant containing the legend "UNITED FEDERATION OF PLANETS" in their own languages beneath the Federation seal.

I included some variants on the Federation Flag in this thread. They include:

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

Can Bakula's uniform be any MORE ugly?

Well, I think it's cool!

I don't. If they wanted to use a full-dress version of the ENT Starfleet uniform, they should have just given Archer the same style that Admiral Forrest wore. It would have looked cool, and they wouldn't even have to come up with a new uniform - saves the costuming department a bit of work, you'd think.

I mean, admirals in the real US Navy don't typically wear *completely different uniforms* than more junior officers, do they? Sure, when we see them in public, they're usually dressed to the nines, but AFAIK the uniforms they wear can theoretically be worn by any Naval officer. (Conversely, an admiral can also wear a more standard duty uniform, even down to the khaki or jumpsuit style.) I don't see why ENT should have been any different.

 

[C.E. Evans]

Can Bakula's uniform be any MORE ugly?

Well, I think it's cool!

I don't. If they wanted to use a full-dress version of the ENT Starfleet uniform, they should have just given Archer the same style that Admiral Forrest wore. It would have looked cool, and they wouldn't even have to come up with a new uniform - saves the costuming department a bit of work, you'd think.

I mean, admirals in the real US Navy don't typically wear *completely different uniforms* than more junior officers, do they? Sure, when we see them in public, they're usually dressed to the nines, but AFAIK the uniforms they wear can theoretically be worn by any Naval officer. (Conversely, an admiral can also wear a more standard duty uniform, even down to the khaki or jumpsuit style.) I don't see why ENT should have been any different.

They were following the style of admirals having different uniforms in TNG, DS9, and VOY, IMO. That wasn't the case in TOS.

IIRC, Kirk's original olive and white uniform from TMP wasn't so much an admiral's uniform as it was a dress uniform.

 

[Python Trek]

When exactly was the UFP crest first seen on screen?

 

[F. King Daniel]

In-universe chonologically? "Zero Hour", when Archer's flashforwarded to the signing of the Federation charter in 2161.

IRL, Star Trek: The Motion Picture.

 

[Skywalker]

I prefer to imagine that the three stars represent three ideals central to the Federation's being. Placing the stars of founding members' homeworlds above all others doesn't seem much in keeping with the Federation's way of thinking.

 

[Flying Spaghetti Monster]

At abou one 1:15 in this video we get to see what those stars really are.
http://m.youtube.com/index?desktop_uri=/&gl=US#/watch?v=80_HKdvNhgA

 

[T'Girl]

If they wanted to use a full-dress version of the ENT Starfleet uniform, they should have just given Archer the same style that Admiral Forrest wore.

But was Archer in a formal Starfleet uniform there? Or was it civilian formal wear (still ugly), with Starfleet decorations attached? Today, active duty personnel and prior duty veterans in civilian formal wear can wear their decorations.

 

[Anwar]

Do we even know if the three stars represent the Founding members, and aren't just three stars?

 

[captcalhoun]

no. canonically, there is no explanation at all.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

But was Archer in a formal Starfleet uniform there? Or was it civilian formal wear (still ugly), with Starfleet decorations attached? Today, active duty personnel and prior duty veterans in civilian formal wear can wear their decorations.

It was a uniform. Not civilian attire.

 

[Timo]

...Although the only good reason to argue so is that it had cuff braid to indicate rank. Apart from that little detail, the theory about the suit being a civilian one is actually a pretty good one.

Timo Saloniemi