Polandball
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[[File:Polandballsvg.svg|thumb|An example of Poland as a Countryball. The flipped flag is intentional.]] |
[[File:Polandballsvg.svg|thumb|An example of Poland as a Countryball. The flipped flag is intentional.]] |
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[[File:Opera Mundi 2.png|thumb|A group of countryballs.]] |
[[File:Opera Mundi 2.png|thumb|A group of countryballs.]] |
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'''Polandball''', also known as '''Countryballs'''{{efn|The terms "Countryballs" and "Polandball" are often used interchangeably, regardless on whether or not Poland appears.}}, is an [[Internet meme]], predominantly used in [[Webcomic|online comics strips]] in which countries or [[political entities]] are [[personified]] as [[anthropomorphic]] balls with eyes, decorated with their national flags. Comics feature the characters in various scenarios, mostly poking fun at [[international relations]] and [[historical events]]. Other common features in |
'''Polandball''', also known as '''Countryballs'''{{efn|The terms "Countryballs" and "Polandball" are often used interchangeably, regardless on whether or not Poland appears.}}, is an [[Internet meme]], predominantly used in [[Webcomic|online comics strips]] in which countries or [[political entities]] are [[personified]] as [[anthropomorphic]] balls with eyes, decorated with their national flags. Comics feature the characters in various scenarios, mostly poking fun at [[international relations]] and [[historical events]]. Other common features in Polandball strips include non-English countries speaking in [[broken English]]{{cite journal |last1=Ke |first1=Weitao |title=Deciphering Linguistic Stereotypes in Polandball Comics: A Qualitative Analysis of 'Engrish' and Cultural Representation |url=https://www.ewadirect.com/proceedings/lnep/article/view/10670 |journal=Lecture Notes in Education Psychology and Public Media |date=14 March 2024 |volume=42 |pages=18–26 |doi=10.54254/2753-7048/42/20240811 |access-date=7 May 2025|doi-access=free }} — with vocabularies of their national languages included, [[political incorrectness]], and [[black comedy]]. Strips are generally created using [[Microsoft Paint]] or more advanced [[graphic art software]], often made to intentionally look crudely drawn. |
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Polandball continue to be popular on the Internet, with the [[Facebook]] community reaching over 215,000 members by July 2015,{{Cite journal |last=Procházka |first=Ondřej |year=2016 |title=Cohesive Aspects of Humor in Internet Memes on Facebook: a Multimodal Sociolinguistic Analysis |url=https://dokumenty.osu.cz/ff/kaa/ojoep/ostrava-journal-vol1-2016-full.pdf |journal=Ostrava Journal of English Philology |publisher=[[University of Ostrava]] |volume=8 |page=9}} and the [[Reddit#Subreddits|subreddit]] r/Polandball reaching over 700,000 by 2026.{{cite web |author= |date= 16 January 2026|title= [Celebration Thread] 700,000 Subscribers!|url= https://www.reddit.com/r/polandball/comments/1qebfq2/celebration_thread_700000_subscribers/|website= [[Reddit]]|location= |publisher= |access-date=1 April 2026}} |
Polandball continue to be popular on the Internet, with the [[Facebook]] community reaching over 215,000 members by July 2015,{{Cite journal |last=Procházka |first=Ondřej |year=2016 |title=Cohesive Aspects of Humor in Internet Memes on Facebook: a Multimodal Sociolinguistic Analysis |url=https://dokumenty.osu.cz/ff/kaa/ojoep/ostrava-journal-vol1-2016-full.pdf |journal=Ostrava Journal of English Philology |publisher=[[University of Ostrava]] |volume=8 |page=9}} and the [[Reddit#Subreddits|subreddit]] r/Polandball reaching over 700,000 by 2026.{{cite web |author= |date= 16 January 2026|title= [Celebration Thread] 700,000 Subscribers!|url= https://www.reddit.com/r/polandball/comments/1qebfq2/celebration_thread_700000_subscribers/|website= [[Reddit]]|location= |publisher= |access-date=1 April 2026}} |
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==Themes== |
==Themes== |
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[[File:Poland can into the European Space Agency.png|thumb|upright|A 2012 comic featuring an extension of the "Poland cannot into space" {{sic}} catchphrase. The comic references Poland joining the European Space Agency in 2012.]] |
[[File:Poland can into the European Space Agency.png|thumb|upright|A 2012 comic featuring an extension of the "Poland cannot into space" {{sic}} catchphrase. The comic references Poland joining the European Space Agency in 2012.]] |
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The premise of Polandball is that they represent countries and their histories, foreign relations, and [[stereotype]]s.{{cite news |last=Cegielski |first=Tomek |date=12 April 2011 |title='''MEMY''' LEGENDY INTERNETU |language=pl |work=Hiro |publisher=Hiro.pl |url=http://hiro.pl/magazyn/magazyn_zjawiska/memy.html |url-status=dead |access-date=5 August 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110415014502/http://hiro.pl/magazyn/magazyn_zjawiska/memy.html |archive-date=15 April 2011}}'''{{Cite book |last=Song |first=Chenyang |title=Nationalist and Popular Culture Practices on Social Media: A Digital Ethnography of Chinese Online Fandom Nationalists |date=2025 |publisher=Transcript |isbn=978-3-8376-7926-7 |edition= |location=Bielefeld}}'''{{Reference page|page=87}} Mainly focusing on [[wikt:megalomania|megalomania]], history, current affairs, and [[Complex (psychology)|national complexes]]. Except for natively [[English speaking countries]], the dialogue of Polandball tends to be written in [[broken English]], [[Internet slang]]{{Reference page|page=87}} reminiscent of the [[lolcat]] meme, and references to pop culture, originating from the country used. Polandball often use bits of the countries' national language, incorporating them in a grammatically incorrect way. The |
The premise of Polandball is that they represent countries and their histories, foreign relations, and [[stereotype]]s.{{cite news |last=Cegielski |first=Tomek |date=12 April 2011 |title='''MEMY''' LEGENDY INTERNETU |language=pl |work=Hiro |publisher=Hiro.pl |url=http://hiro.pl/magazyn/magazyn_zjawiska/memy.html |url-status=dead |access-date=5 August 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110415014502/http://hiro.pl/magazyn/magazyn_zjawiska/memy.html |archive-date=15 April 2011}}'''{{Cite book |last=Song |first=Chenyang |title=Nationalist and Popular Culture Practices on Social Media: A Digital Ethnography of Chinese Online Fandom Nationalists |date=2025 |publisher=Transcript |isbn=978-3-8376-7926-7 |edition= |location=Bielefeld}}'''{{Reference page|page=87}} Mainly focusing on [[wikt:megalomania|megalomania]], history, current affairs, and [[Complex (psychology)|national complexes]]. Except for natively [[English speaking countries]], the dialogue of Polandball tends to be written in [[broken English]], [[Internet slang]]{{Reference page|page=87}} reminiscent of the [[lolcat]] meme, and references to pop culture, originating from the country used. Polandball often use bits of the countries' national language, incorporating them in a grammatically incorrect way. The Polandball medium does not have a singular defined author, and anyone is able to make one.{{Sfn|Oleksiak|2014}} |
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=== Poland === |
=== Poland === |
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=== Other countries === |
=== Other countries === |
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[[File:Kharandiuk._IMG_0681_(11225659743).jpg|right|thumb|Polandball [[graffiti]] art depicting the [[European Union–Ukraine Association Agreement]] during [[Euromaidan]] in [[Kyiv]], 2013]] |
[[File:Kharandiuk._IMG_0681_(11225659743).jpg|right|thumb|Polandball [[graffiti]] art depicting the [[European Union–Ukraine Association Agreement]] during [[Euromaidan]] in [[Kyiv]], 2013]] |
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Polandball usually include comics with other countries. These comics are sometimes |
Polandball usually include comics with other countries. These comics are sometimes referred to as Countryball comics. However, they are more commonly referred to as "Polandball". States, provinces, other subdivisions, and multinational organizations (such as the [[European Union]]) may also be portrayed. |
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[[File:Nepal Countryball (Polandball).png|thumb|[[Nepal]] is represented as a ''"rawr"'' instead as a ball due to Nepal's unique flag proportions.]] |
[[File:Nepal Countryball (Polandball).png|thumb|[[Nepal]] is represented as a ''"rawr"'' instead as a ball due to Nepal's unique flag proportions.]] |
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Countries are mostly represented as balls, although there are exceptions. Singapore takes the form of a [[triangle]] and is called Tringapore; Israel takes the form of a [[hypercube]] (in reference to [[Jewish physics]]); and Kazakhstan takes the form of a brick. One common character, the Reichtangle, is [[Rectangle|rectangular]]. Decorated with the [[flag of the German Empire]] and bearing expressionless white dots for eyes; the Reichtangle often scares other countries (particularly Poland) by looming behind them poised to attack and saying the phrase "Guten tag".{{Sfn|Procházka|2019}} Depending on the comic, it either represents the German military or German [[imperialism]], although it is officially a fictitious [[Fourth Reich]].{{Sfn|Procházka|2018}} |
Countries are mostly represented as balls, although there are exceptions. Singapore takes the form of a [[triangle]] and is called Tringapore; Israel takes the form of a [[hypercube]] (in reference to [[Jewish physics]]); and Kazakhstan takes the form of a brick. One common character, the Reichtangle, is [[Rectangle|rectangular]]. Decorated with the [[flag of the German Empire]] and bearing expressionless white dots for eyes; the Reichtangle often scares other countries (particularly Poland) by looming behind them poised to attack and saying the phrase "Guten tag".{{Sfn|Procházka|2019}} Depending on the comic, it either represents the German military or German [[imperialism]], although it is officially a fictitious [[Fourth Reich]].{{Sfn|Procházka|2018}} |
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There are various other established conventions in |
There are various other established conventions in Polandball comics, such as the wearing of [[Fashion accessory|accessories]] and bearing of props — Canada wears a fur hat while the United Kingdom usually wears a [[monocle]] and a [[top hat]] while holding a cup of tea.{{Cite book |last=Chiaro |first=Delia |url=https://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/oa-mono/10.4324/9781315146348/language-jokes-digital-age-delia-chiaro |title=The Language of Jokes in the Digital Age: #Like #share #lol |date=2017-12-05 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-315-14634-8 |location=London |page=150 |doi=10.4324/9781315146348}} The United States wears big black [[sunglasses]] while also having a patriotic, idiotic, and prideful personality. [[Nepal]] (Nepalrawr{{Sfn|Ertanowska|2021|p=131}}) is depicted with a regular flag.{{Sfn|Институт этнологии и антропологии РАН|2020|p=141}} |
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Plot points may involve countries recalling their glory days or individual events of success. For example, Russia may remind themselves of their role repelling the Axis Powers' invasion of their country,{{Cite journal |last=Procházka |first=Ondřej |date=2019b |title=Making Sense of Facebook's Content Moderation: A Posthumanist Perspective on Communicative Competence and Internet Memes |journal=Signs and Society |volume=7 |issue=3 |pages=362–397 |doi=10.1086/704763 |place=[[University of Ostrava]]|doi-access=free }} while the United Kingdom may reminisce about their [[British Empire|Empire]] in the manner of an elder gentleman. |
Plot points may involve countries recalling their glory days or individual events of success. For example, Russia may remind themselves of their role repelling the Axis Powers' invasion of their country,{{Cite journal |last=Procházka |first=Ondřej |date=2019b |title=Making Sense of Facebook's Content Moderation: A Posthumanist Perspective on Communicative Competence and Internet Memes |journal=Signs and Society |volume=7 |issue=3 |pages=362–397 |doi=10.1086/704763 |place=[[University of Ostrava]]|doi-access=free }} while the United Kingdom may reminisce about their [[British Empire|Empire]] in the manner of an elder gentleman. |
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Characters express their emotional states by changing the shapes of their eyes{{Sfn|Институт этнологии и антропологии РАН|2020|p=139}}{{Cite journal |author = |editor=Г. Ю. Гуляев |format= |url= https://naukaip.ru/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/%D0%9C%D0%9A-866.pdf#page=118 |title= Инновационные научные исследования: теория, методология, практика |type= сборник статей XXII Международной научнопрактической конференции |journal= МЦНС «Наука И Просвещение» |location= [[Пенза]] |date= 2020 |volume= |number= |pages = 121 |series= |isbn = 978-5-00159-525-0 |doi = |bibcode = |arxiv = |pmid = |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220331223202/https://naukaip.ru/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/%D0%9C%D0%9A-866.pdf#page=118 |archive-date = 2022-03-31 |language= |quote= }}, which can convey emotions such as joy, sadness, anger, and others{{Sfn|Институт этнологии и антропологии РАН|2020|p=141}}. Polandball are typically colored according to their [[national flag]]s.{{Sfn|Söderlund|Olsson|2016|p=29}} Additionally, they may feature specific attributes that indicate their identity or behavior, such as headgear, objects (e.g., weapons), and other accessories.{{Sfn|Институт этнологии и антропологии РАН|2020|p=139}} |
Characters express their emotional states by changing the shapes of their eyes{{Sfn|Институт этнологии и антропологии РАН|2020|p=139}}{{Cite journal |author = |editor=Г. Ю. Гуляев |format= |url= https://naukaip.ru/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/%D0%9C%D0%9A-866.pdf#page=118 |title= Инновационные научные исследования: теория, методология, практика |type= сборник статей XXII Международной научнопрактической конференции |journal= МЦНС «Наука И Просвещение» |location= [[Пенза]] |date= 2020 |volume= |number= |pages = 121 |series= |isbn = 978-5-00159-525-0 |doi = |bibcode = |arxiv = |pmid = |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220331223202/https://naukaip.ru/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/%D0%9C%D0%9A-866.pdf#page=118 |archive-date = 2022-03-31 |language= |quote= }}, which can convey emotions such as joy, sadness, anger, and others{{Sfn|Институт этнологии и антропологии РАН|2020|p=141}}. Polandball are typically colored according to their [[national flag]]s.{{Sfn|Söderlund|Olsson|2016|p=29}} Additionally, they may feature specific attributes that indicate their identity or behavior, such as headgear, objects (e.g., weapons), and other accessories.{{Sfn|Институт этнологии и антропологии РАН|2020|p=139}} |
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There is also an informal drawing style within the community, where polandball are depicted in a deliberately simplistic manner, often using the most basic digital drawing tools.{{Sfn|Институт этнологии и антропологии РАН|2020|p=139}}{{Sfn|Procházka|2019|p=373}} It is also commonly assumed that all |
There is also an informal drawing style within the community, where polandball are depicted in a deliberately simplistic manner, often using the most basic digital drawing tools.{{Sfn|Институт этнологии и антропологии РАН|2020|p=139}}{{Sfn|Procházka|2019|p=373}} It is also commonly assumed that all Polandball characters are male by default.{{Sfn|Torffvit|2021|p=32}} |
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* Polandball have adopted a series of symbolic images representing various peoples and tribes that do not have flags or statehood as such, as well as other entities (0 — [[angel]]s, 1 — [[Asian people|Asians]], 2 — ancient Europeans, 3 — [[Indigenous peoples of the Americas|Native Americans]], 4 — [[Urgesellschaft|prehistoric tribes]], 5 — [[Australians]], 6 — [[Extraterrestrial intelligence|aliens]], 7 — [[South Asia]]ns, 8 — [[Negro|black people]], 9 — [[zombie]]s or [[mutant]]s, β — [[ancient Greek]]s, ᛟ — [[Germanic peoples|Germanic tribes]], −8 — members of the [[Ku Klux Klan]]).{{harvnb|Гибадуллина|2018|p=122}}: 2Страны, не оказывающие заметного влияния на мировую политику, тоже имеют форму пронумерованных шаров" |
* Polandball have adopted a series of symbolic images representing various peoples and tribes that do not have flags or statehood as such, as well as other entities (0 — [[angel]]s, 1 — [[Asian people|Asians]], 2 — ancient Europeans, 3 — [[Indigenous peoples of the Americas|Native Americans]], 4 — [[Urgesellschaft|prehistoric tribes]], 5 — [[Australians]], 6 — [[Extraterrestrial intelligence|aliens]], 7 — [[South Asia]]ns, 8 — [[Negro|black people]], 9 — [[zombie]]s or [[mutant]]s, β — [[ancient Greek]]s, ᛟ — [[Germanic peoples|Germanic tribes]], −8 — members of the [[Ku Klux Klan]]).{{harvnb|Гибадуллина|2018|p=122}}: 2Страны, не оказывающие заметного влияния на мировую политику, тоже имеют форму пронумерованных шаров" |
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