A
Brief History of World Flags
People
have used flags for over 4,000 years. Authentic flag design of
ancient peoples includes a metal flag from Iran, ca. 3000 BC, and reconstructions
of vexilloids shown on ancient Greek coins, Egyptian tomb carvings,
etc.
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".
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.
A flag is a piece
of colored 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 use flags
to give others information, such as, who they are. 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 armor ready for battle!
Flags were important because they helped soldiers tell their friends
from their enemies in battle.
Today, every country
in the world has a flag. As governments change, so do their flags. Every
state in the United States has a flag, too. Flags are used to give information,
signals or stand for special symbols or things. Many organizations or
groups like the Girl Scouts or the United Nations have flags. Clubs
and organizations have their own flags too. The five circles 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. Some people, like
a king or queen, have their very own personal flag. Sometimes it flies
over any building or place where they are staying.
Flags include symbols
that are used to show ideas which would otherwise take many words. Flags
are used for wars, as well as for the celebration of special events.
On sad occasions, flags are flown at half-mast to honor the dead, and
draped over the coffins of national heroes.
The colors found
in flags have special meanings:
Red
- danger, revolution, bloodshed of war, courage, power
White
- peace, surrender, truce
Orange-
courage, sacrifice
Green
- safety, land, youth, hope
Yellow
- caution, gold
Black - mourning,
death
Flags come in many
different sizes, shapes and colors. They can be used for important events,
or to represent something special or give a special message. Sometimes
an interesting decoration at the tip of the flag pole is added. This
is called a finial.
One flag that almost
everyone knows is the "White Flag of Surrender". Waiving a
white flag is the international sign for surrender. Soldiers carrying
or waving the "White Flag" are not fired upon. These "White
Flags" are not made up in advance and are usually made out of any
materials available at the time it is to be used.
Another well known
flag is the "Jolly Roger", used by pirates to frighten people.
These flags usually had a black background which stood for "no
quarter" or "no mercy will be shown to those who resist."
Another well known
flag is the "Red Flag" which means danger.
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 colors
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.
Many flags have
the same basic patterns such as stripes, both horizontal and vertical,
and stars. Many flags are divided into quarters and some are given a
border. Colors on a flag are important.
Years ago,
flags were made by hand by sewing pieces of fabric together or embroidered
with yarn or painted. Today, flags are usually printed in long rolls
of fabric which are run through a machine which prints a pattern over
and over again on the fabric. Then the fabric is washed, dried and then
cut into separate flags.
