A flag is a piece of cloth flown from a pole or mast, usually intended for signaling or identification. Flags were initially created for signalling (as in semaphore), and for the identification of those who displayed them, and are still used for that purpose today. Flags are also used in messaging or advertising, or for decorative purposes, though at this less formal end the distinction between a flag and a simple cloth banner is blurred. Generally, a piece of cloth is a flag if it is flown like a flag, with one side attached, though many flags are recognisable if displayed in other forms.
The study of flags is known as vexillology, from the Latin vexillum meaning flag or banner.
1 History
2 National flags
Main article: National flag
One of the most popular uses of a flag is to symbolize a nation or country. Some national flags have been particularly inspirational to other nations, countries, or subnational entities in the design of their own flags. Some prominent examples include:
- The flag of Denmark. Their flag, called the Dannebrog, inspired the cross design of other Nordic countries. Examples: the Faroe Islands, Finland, Iceland, Norway, SwedenSweden-Norway union badge. The flag of Sweden dates back to the 16th century. It is believed to be inspired by the Coats of Arms of Sweden, which feature three yellow crowns on a blue background, and modelled on the Danish flag, the Dannebrog. King John I.
- The flag of SwitzerlandThe Flag of Switzerland consists of a red square with a bold, equilateral white greek cross in the center of the flag. The length of each arm is 1/6 longer than its width. The flag is based on that of the Canton of Schwyz, the colors and shape of which de, with its colours reversed, gave rise to the emblem of the International Red Cross, which is a safe conduct in war zones under international law.
- The Union FlagThe United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland uses as its national flag the Royal Banner commonly known as the Union Jack, or more properly Union Flag as it only becomes a jack when flown at sea. The current design of the Union Flag or Jack dat of the United KingdomThe United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is a state in Western Europe, usually known simply as the United Kingdom the UK Britain or less accurately as Great Britain . The UK was formed by a series of Acts of Union which united the formerly, more commonly (and correctly, when used by warships at sea) called the "Union Jack". British colonies typically fly a flag based on one of the ensigns based on this flag, and many former colonies have retained the design to acknowledge their cultural history, show gratitude to the U.K., or possibly to reflect their participation in the CommonwealthThe Commonwealth of Nations is a voluntary association of independent sovereign states, mostly formed by the United Kingdom and its former colonies. It was formerly known as the British Commonwealth (or British Commonwealth of Nations , and many still cal. Examples: AustraliaFlag Ratio: 1:2 The flag of Australia is blue with the flag of the United Kingdom (the Union Flag) in the canton (the upper hoist-side quadrant), and a large seven-pointed star known as the Commonwealth Star (six points representing the six original state, FijiFlag ratio: 1:2 The flag of Fiji was adopted on October 10, 1970. It is a defaced Blue Ensign, although the field is light blue. It remained unchanged when Fiji was declared a republic in 1987. Fiji Fiji., New Zealand, Tuvalu, and curiously Hawaii.
- The national flag of France, also called the Tricolore, which inspired other nations to adopt differenced tricolours in sympathy with the revolutionary spirit with which the flag was designed in 1794. Examples among many: Republic of Ireland, Italy.
- The flag of the United States, also nicknamed The Stars and Stripes or Old Glory. In the same way that nations looked to France for inspiration, many countries were also inspired by the American Revolution which they felt was symbolized in this flag. Examples: Cuba, Chile, Liberia, Malaysia.
- The flag of Russia, the source for the Pan-Slavic colors adopted by many Slavic states and peoples as their symbols. Examples: Slovakia, Serbia and Montenegro, Croatia.
- Ethiopia was seen as a model by emerging African states of the 1950's and 1960's, as it was one of the oldest continually independent states in Africa. Accordingly, its flag became the source of the Pan-African colours. Examples: Togo, Senegal, Ghana, Mali.
- The flag of Turkey which was originally the flag of the Ottoman Empire has been an inspiration for the flag designs of many other Muslim nations. During the time of the Ottomans the crescent began to become associated with Islam and this is reflected on the flags of Algeria, Comoros, Malaysia, Mauritania, Pakistan, and Tunisia
- The Pan-Arab colors, green, white, red, and black, seen on the flags of Jordan, Kuwait, Sudan, Syria, Yemen, and the United Arab Emirates.
- The Soviet flag, with its golden symbols of the proletariat on a red field, was an inspiration to flags of other communist states, such as East Germany, People's Republic of China, Vietnam, Angola, Yugoslavia, and Mozambique.
- The flag of Nepal is the only non-rectangular national flag in the world.
