There's quite a lot of pressure on national flags. These fluttering pieces of fabric are expected to represent nations of millions or even billions with just a few stars, spots and stripes, and with 200 or so national flags flying around the world a lot of the simpler designs were snapped up early on. Some countries have gone the extra mile to stand out, incorporating fire-eyed dragons, purple parrots and even silhouetted assault rifles in their standards.

Click through this gallery to marvel at the world's most unusual national flags...