The Confederate Flag, The Union Jack, The old Soviet Union Flag, The Christian Cross, The Inverted Christian Cross, Pentacles, Pentagrams, Swastikas, etc etc etc are all symbols that are perceived by groups and individuals with different opinions. Throughout history every symbol has been praised and later corrupted to mean something else.
The Confederate Flag: That is a mixed view. Being a European I only defend the flag for it's historical basis; America's History. My brother lives in Ohio and there is a movement to cancel Civil War Re-enactments in that state due to the flag being involved. Goodbye History.
The Union Jack: To most Irish that is a symbol of oppression, slavery, and potential Genocide. I have friends on this site and in RL that are English and have no hatred in my heart for them or what their ancestors did. However most Irish do. From 1110 to 1920, Ireland was oppressed by the English and Irish Protestants. Catholic (and Irish Pagans) homes/farms/businesses were ripped away from them and granted to English and Irish Prots. Slavery, the total loss of Irish life is in the millions. Slavery was also not just about forced labour but forced military enlistment. Irish that were forced conscripted got lesser equipment (sometimes weapons such as guns didn't even work) and were rarely trained. Cannon fodder. Genocide....one name....Oliver Cromwell. The Lord Protector proclaimed...."The Irish are no different than cattle grazing in the fields....slaughtering them like cattle is the proper direction to take."
Soviet Flag: Ask any real Eastern European how they feel about that flag.....and get back to me.
The Christian Cross: To most people that is a symbol of faith and protection. To others it's a sign of war and oppression. The Crusades, The Burning Times, The Inquisition were all conducted under the watchful eye of the cross. As a Pagan, I have no issues with the cross though I am repeatedly told I'm going to hell for my beliefs (which there is no hell in our religion). And the concept of the cross (crucifixions) was started by the Romans when they discovered the Celtic Pagans (Druids) used it as symbol to represent the four elements of the Earth, with the Celtic Cross the circle in the centre representing the Sun or Moon or Spirit to bind them all together. The Romans twisted the concept of the cross and used it as a form of execution.
The Inverted Christian Cross: Today it is associated with Satanism and Devil Worship (separate beliefs). It in truth, when the Apostle Peter was put on the cross, he asked to be crucified upside down because he didn't deserve to be crucified like Jesus because he believed he was inferior to him. There are churches out there that use this symbol for just that.....but 99% of the people see it and claim what I said in the first sentence.
Pentacles/Pentagrams: In Pagan lore, they are symbols associated with nature and the elements. To those outside of our religion, it's viewed as being in league with the devil by lesser people who do not understand. I won't say ignorant because they are just uneducated in my religion.
Swastikas: If you go to some of the museums and look at the ancient Egyptian art and displays, you will see that symbol etched there. To them and most ancient cultures it was a symbol of protection. Today, due to the corruption of it, it is now viewed as a symbol of hate. My sister-in-law is Egyptian and has a swastika tattooed on her left shoulder blade (covered of course) for protection....not because she is racist or hates Jews.
So in the end, all symbols and flags have different meanings/representations to the eye of the beholder. Personally, I hate the Irish flag. For a nation of drunks, I'm sure we could have come up with a better design that green, white, and orange; but I understand the symbolism behind it.
Sorry for the rant.