It is a Mexican flag with '1824' printed on it. It's the famous 'Alamo' flag that only flew during the fight at the Alamo. Pure Texas history. Optical illusion is that I was standing on the back deck ( about 2 ft off the ground) and the raised curb on the deck (5 inches) keeps one from steppint off. I invented that in the place of a handrail because the eye catches it without one noticing the edge is near. Over 36 inches, city requires a handrail.