FLAGS

A flag is a piece of coloured fabric or material that is used as a symbol, or for sending a signal. Some flags are used only for decoration. Usually, flags are messages from a person or a group of people.

People have used flags for over 4,000 years. The first type of flag was called a vexilloid. Vexillology is the scientific study of flags. This word comes from a Latin word which means "guide". The first flags or vexilloids were metal or wooden poles with carvings on top. About 2,000 years ago, pieces of fabric or material were added to some vexilloids for decoration. These looked more like the flags we know today.

Long ago, knights carried flags into battle because it was hard to know who the knights were when they were dressed up and covered in armour, ready for battle. Flags were important because they helped soldiers tell their friends from their enemies in battle.

Although the most popular use of flags today is to identify the countries of the world, the use of national flags didn't become commonplace until the 18th century. 

Many clubs and organizations have their own flags, too. For example, the five rings of the Olympic flag represent the coming together of people from five continents in friendly competition. Peace is the message of the olive branches cradling the world in the flag of the United Nations. Also some people, like a king or queen, have their very own personal flag. 

Flags include symbols that are used to show ideas which would otherwise take many words. On sad occasions, flags are flown at half-mast to honour the dead, and draped over the coffins of national heroes. The colours found in some flags have special meanings like the colour red symbolizing danger. Many flags have the same basic patterns such as stripes, both horizontal and vertical, and stars. 

One flag that almost everyone knows is the "White Flag of Surrender". Waving a white flag is the international sign for surrender. Soldiers carrying or waving the "White Flag" are not fired upon. 

People who design flags have an important job. They must get their message and information on the flag without using many words or pictures. The pictures and colours on a flag symbolize something important. Flag designers used to make sketches with pencils and paints, now they use computers to help them design flags.

Adapted from the worldflags 101 website.