As a North Carolinian, something that makes me proud is that the coolest plant on earth, the Venus flytrap, is native only to the carolinas. I think this is worth celebrating and (perhaps naievely) something universally liked. I think this design has a number of weaknesses, the primary of which is that the plant in the middle may not be immediately recognizable as a Venus flytrap. There are ways to make the design more minimal, but in the spirit of making this flag like the incredible Palmetto flag, I think the detailed plant is more appropriate. Perhaps an image of just the trap would be more immediately recognizable as the flytrap, but, quite frankly, I think people should know what this incredible plant looks like in full bloom.

I think the current flag perfectly fine as far as flags go! I think differentiating it from Texas is the best reason to design a new one. And some Carolina solidarity.

To this end, I think it is worth keeping the gilt from the current NC flag. I personally find it elegant and worth preserving in some aspect.

Other ideas I had were to incorporate a lighthouse which are regionally famous. This could be in the corner, or the center. I am concerned that my ideas would isolate the mountains and Piedmont regions of the state.

I have to thank T. Michael Keesey for making the vector art of the flytrap, and Kenji Fukushima for sponsoring its inclusion in PhyloPic.