# Talk:Flag of Togo

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This review is transcluded from Talk:Flag of Togo/GA1. The edit link for this section can be used to add comments to the review.

@Yue, I've been looking around for sources which actually confirm the ratio of the flag of Togo being equal to the golden ratio, however I've come up short. I have been unable to find any government source which specifies the proportions, neither the constitution nor the website of the presidency states such a ratio. Vexillological sources are contradictory. The CIA World Factbook does not specify any proportions. On Britannica, Whitney Smith gives a proportion of "approximately" 3:5. In the World Encyclopedia of Flags, Alfred Znamierowski gives a proportion of 2:3. DK's Complete flags of the World specifies a proportion of 2:3 also. The only sources which say that the flag of Togo has a golden ratio appear to be primarily focused on mathematics, not vexillology. Even then, Posamentier (which is cited in the article) only says the flag is "claimed to be" in the golden ratio, which is a highly suspect statement. Is there a single legal or vexillological source which states the flag's ratio is indeed golden?  ―Howard • 🌽33 10:19, 23 August 2024 (UTC)

After looking at the commons entry on the flag, I found out the cited source is Flags of the World (FOTW is considered to be a generally unreliable source), although FOTW cites a separate website in French. The cited website claims "For the format of the emblem, Mr. Paul AHYI planned a rectangle 0 of the golden number, measuring 1.618." I have no idea as to the credibility of this source. It appears to be a personal blog run by a native Togolese. Even so, we have no idea if this was a personal vision of the creator or if it was ever adopted into law. ―Howard • 🌽33 10:32, 23 August 2024 (UTC)
I've now noticed Yue has placed a citation from Dmytro Dubilet's book on flags. The problem is that Dubilet has no credentials of any kind relating to either Togolese history or vexillology. It is entirely possible he is merely perpetuating the Togolese blog's claim. ―Howard • 🌽33 13:13, 26 August 2024 (UTC)
I've now rewritten the passage on proportions. Do not revert without a vexillological or governmental source clarifying the flag's ratio. ―Howard • 🌽33 16:58, 26 August 2024 (UTC)
@Howardcorn33: I did not reply earlier because I am busy with other projects and do not have an adequate response, but a quick note is that Whitney Smith saying "approximately 3:5" is nearly the same as saying "approximately the golden ratio" because 3:5 is 1:1.666¯ and the golden ratio is 1.618 ... If it was 3:5 he would have said it was 3:5 because that ratio does not need to be approximated. Obviously, a more explicit mention of the golden ratio would be preferrable, of course. Also, I understand the desire for a government source but do not understand your contention with mathematical sources. The fact (claim) is one part vexillological and another part mathematical, so of course mathematicians will write about it. Yue🌙 18:33, 26 August 2024 (UTC)
Also, the file on Wikimedia Commons has used the golden ratio for the past 18 years, since 2006, so this contradiction will remain until I or someone else resolves the discrepancy. Yue🌙 18:36, 26 August 2024 (UTC)
My contention with mathematical sources is that one of the cited sources calls it a "claim", and that these sources are mainly focused on mathematics. The flag of Togo isn't the focus of their study in this case, rather it is an example used to illustrate an entirely different concept. It is also not up to us to assume if Whitney actually intended to approximate the golden ratio in his entry, since he makes no mention of the proportions later on in the article. I'll see if I can modify the svg file for the flag to match DK and Znamierowski's given ratio.   ―Howard • 🌽33 18:56, 26 August 2024 (UTC)
@Howardcorn33: Regardless, I do not intend to restate the golden ratio claim as fact given your reasoned arguments. I've been trying to find the Togolese proclamation of independence and looking through French-language sources for the past bit to find a credible mention but have failed to do so. At this point I will halt my efforts till a much later date when I have more time for this endeavour. Yue🌙 19:02, 26 August 2024 (UTC)
Thanks. (btw, the article you have written is good overall I think, so good job on that) ―Howard • 🌽33 19:27, 26 August 2024 (UTC)