World Flags

Flags are usually a rectangular woven piece of cloth flown from a mast or flagpole. They normally have a distinctive design used in a symbolic manner for identification or signaling. They used the first flags on battlefields to help with military coordination. Since then, flags evolved into tools for fundamental identification and signaling. Having many wide-ranging, varied interpretations, National flags are patriotic, potent symbols, which often include original military associations and ongoing military uses. An American, Dr. Whitney Smith coined the term ‘vexillology’ in 1957 and it means the scholarly study of flags. A vexillographer designs flags and a vexillologist studies flags.

National flags are an emblem flown as a symbol of a country or nationality. Some countries that have flags that inspirited other nations include the flag of Denmark. Along with being the oldest state flag still used today, the cross design inspired other Nordic countries cross designs. Many Slavic states such as Serbia and Slovakia adopted the pan-Slavic colors of the flag of Russia.

War flags flown by some armed forces, are unique flags that several countries, including the former Nazi Germany and United Kingdom fly, instead of their national flag. Although the standard national flag is used by the Philippines’, they turn their flag upside down during war times. Switzerland, the United States and other countries armed forces use their standard national flag. Battle ensigns, flown on the countries navy warships are war flags but larger versions.

Flags at sea are extremely important and can often make the difference between death and life. There are strictly enforced regulations and rules for flying these flags. A peaceable, courteous yacht or merchant ship flies its ensign in the usual position, with the nation’s flag they are currently visiting, or courtesy flat, at the mast. Flying their ensign alone in foreign waters indicates the desire to fight. Many port and naval authorities still take this very seriously and still enforce this in several places around the world. Some countries have different ensigns for merchant ships and for yachts. Yachts without merchant ensigns cannot carry commercial cargo and they view them, in many jurisdictions, as smuggling if they do have commercial cargo aboard.

Although flags are normally rectangular, they can be any size or shape including swallow-tailed, triangular, or square, and practical for flying. The flag of Nepal is an unusual flag shape and looks like two triangles stacked.