New Wonder Woman actress finally chosen

Yep, its been there from the start, which is why I said that it made sense in a WWII context. The red star has always symbolized Communist Russia, regardless of what color it is on their flag. In fact, I'm amazed that anyone doesn't know that. I'd even be tempted to say that its more familiar to those of us who grew up in the 50s and 60s than the hammer and sickle, but only tempted. ;)

Why would a red star make sense in World War 2 context, since the red star was more of a symbol of Communist Russia from 1917 through the 1950s? While both Communist Russia & the US fought against Nazi Germany during World War 2, the countries were not exactly lovey-dovey.
 

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Yep, its been there from the start, which is why I said that it made sense in a WWII context. The red star has always symbolized Communist Russia, regardless of what color it is on their flag. In fact, I'm amazed that anyone doesn't know that. I'd even be tempted to say that its more familiar to those of us who grew up in the 50s and 60s than the hammer and sickle, but only tempted. ;)

Google_Search:_communist_red_star


Russian Tank Officer Cap
8.jpg




Also:

Order_of_the_Red_Star_(Soviet)




Conversely, I cannot find any references to the use of a Red Star for American forces and civillians, flags, insignia, or anything...for WWII or any era...


B-)
 
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Conversely, I cannot find any references to the use of a Red Star for American forces and civillians, flags, insignia, or anything...for WWII or any era...

Red star - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The flag of Birmingham, Alabama
A variant on the flag of the President of the US.
The flag of Washington, DC.
The US National Christmas Tree

Yes, that page also has a section of use specifically as a Communist symbol, but to say you "cannot find any" when Wikipedia has a few does not suggest your search was very thorough.
 



...but to say you "cannot find any" when Wikipedia has a few does not suggest your search was very thorough.

I agree, my "research" (that is if one actually considers a Google or Wikipedia search as "research":erm:) was not thorough.

However, my statement was predominantly referring to the context of the discussion; specifically that Wonder Womans red star had context as pertains to WWII America. Nothing I've found, including the page on Wikipedia you provided, makes any such obvious link. So, within the context of this discussion, I'm not quite sure what point you're trying to make?

Was Wonder Woman wearing a red star on her headband because it was a part of the flag of Birmingham, Alabama?...or a variant on the flag of the President from 1912?...or part of the flag of Washington DC (where it's not one prominent star but three small ones with two prominent stripes)?

I'm pretty sure that it isn't.

Was it because the U.S. National Christmas tree star is occasionally red?

Since there's no tradition of it being any specific color, I'd say that's also out as the inspiration.

There's also no record or reference of a red star being used as a common or uncommon, American patriotic symbol, during WWII.

So why is it red?

Some sources claim that it's purpose is to symbolize her allegiance and patriotism to the Amazonians, others that it simply represents her dedication to freedom in general. The red, white and blue motif of her costume is obvious, especially considering the time of her creation (1941). But typically, stars with specific "American" conotations are almost always white...as represented by the other stars on her costume. Since Wonder Woman is an Amazonian Princess (royalty) the tiara being gold is also obvious (symbolizing a royal crown). So, most likely, the star on her tiara being colored red is less to do with any specific symbolism for the color, and is more likely that a white star on a gold background would have simply been washed out or lost in contrast in a color inked comic book - therefore a prominent and contrasting color was used that would stand out: red.


As an aside (but I hope at least an interesting aside), the inspiration for Wonder Womans Golden Lasso was two fold. One, the creator of Wonder Woman, William Moulton Marston, wanted a strong female super-hero that was the equal of other contemporary hero's (such as Super Man), but could fight evil without having to always resort to fists (like all of the male super heroes). Secondly and most importantly though, William Moulton Marston was also the inventor of the polygraph.

B-)
 

So why is it red?

So, most likely, the star on her tiara being colored red is less to do with any specific symbolism for the color, and is more likely that a white star on a gold background would have simply been washed out or lost in contrast in a color inked comic book - therefore a prominent and contrasting color was used that would stand out: red.

My guess is that is the reason - the red stands out on the gold background.
 

Also, in looking at this costume from the original TV show in the 1970s, I see more red stars on it than I do on the current costume...one on the tiara, which is similar to the current 2011 Wonder Woman, plus one large red star on each bracelet, and a ring of smaller red stars on the bracelets as well. The bracelets look to be all silver in color in the new WW costume.

lynda-carter6.jpg
 


Did anyone notice the caption on the linked article?

Invisible plane, not pictured.

I thought it was funny...




Not to mention the flags of Alabama, New Zealand and Panama. A red star also topped the White House Christmas tree when Ronald Reagan was president as well.


The Alabama flag is actually a Red St. Andrews Cross. Sorry for the nitpik.
 

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