Flag: Difference between revisions

{{For-multi|the flags belonging to nations|National flag|other uses}}

A '''flag''' is a piece of [[textile|fabric]] (most often rectangular) with a distinctive designcolours and coloursdesign. It is used as a [[symbol]], a [[signalling]] device, or for decoration. The term ''flag'' is also used to refer to the [[graphic design]] employed, and flags have evolved into a general tool for rudimentary signalling and identification, especially in environments where communication is challenging (such as the [[Maritime flag|maritime environment]], where [[Flag semaphore|semaphore]] is used). Many flags fall into groups of similar designs called [[flag families]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |last=Znamierowski |first=Alfred |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OwueMQEACAAJ |title=The World Encyclopedia of Flags: The Definitive Guide to International Flags, Banners, Standards and Ensigns, with Over 1400 Illustration |date=2013 |publisher=Lorenz Books |isbn=978-0-7548-2629-3 |pages=100–129 |language=en}}</ref> The study of flags is known as "[[vexillology]]" from the [[Latin]] {{Lang|la|vexillum}}, meaning "flag" or "[[banner]]".

Ships with vexilloids were represented on predynastic Egyptian pottery {{circa|3500 BCEBC}}.<ref name="archive.org"/> In antiquity, [[field sign]]s that can be categorised as [[vexilloid]] or "flag-like" were used in warfare, originating in [[ancient Egypt]] or [[Assyria]].<ref name="Britannica">[https://www.britannica.com/topic/flag-heraldry Flag | heraldry]. ''Encyclopedia Britannica''. Retrieved February 15, 2019.</ref> Examples include the [[Sassanid]] battle standard [[Derafsh Kaviani]], and the standards of the [[Roman legion]]s such as the [[aquila (Roman)|eagle]] of [[Augustus Caesar]]'s [[Legio X Fretensis|Xth legion]] and the [[Draconarius|dragon standard]] of the [[Sarmatians]]; the latter was allowed to fly freely in the wind, carried by a horseman, but depictions suggest that it bore more similarity to an elongated [[dragon kite]] than to a simple flag.

While the origin of the flag remains a mystery, the oldest flag discovered is made of bronze: a [[Derafsh]] or 'flag-like' Shahdad, which was found in [[Shahdad]], Iran, and dates back to {{Circa|2400 BCEBC}}. It features a seated man and a kneeling woman facing each other, with a star in between. This iconography was found in other Iranian Bronze Age pieces of art.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qsmtxmD5kWcC&q=shahdad+standard&pg=PA19|title=Susa and Elam. Archaeological, Philological, Historical and Geographical Perspectives.: Proceedings of the International Congress Held at Ghent University, December 14–17, 2009.|first1=Katrien De|last1=Graef|first2=Jan|last2=Tavernier|date=7 December 2012|publisher=BRILL|isbn=978-9004207400|via=Google Books}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Qbnyh2YH2KQC&q=shahdad+standard&pg=PA24|title=Art of the Bronze Age: Southeastern Iran, Western Central Asia, and the Indus Valley|first1=Holly|last1=Pittman|first2=Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York|last2=N.Y.)|date=12 December 1984|publisher=Metropolitan Museum of Art|isbn=9780870993657|via=Google Books}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6lDgYxV0DN8C&q=shahdad+standard&pg=PA227|title=Leaving No Stones Unturned: Essays on the Ancient Near East and Egypt in Honor of Donald P. Hansen|first1=Donald P.|last1=Hansen|first2=Erica|last2=Ehrenberg|date=12 December 2017|publisher=Eisenbrauns|isbn=9781575060552|via=Google Books}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=M2QMAQAAMAAJ&q=shahdad+standard|title=Shahdad: archaeological excavations of a bronze age center in Iran|first1=Ali|last1=Hakemi|first2=Istituto italiano per il Medio ed Estremo Oriente Centro Scavi e Ricerche|last2=Archeologiche|date=12 December 1997|publisher=IsMEO|isbn=9788120410176|via=Google Books}}</ref>

* The [[flag of the United States]] is nicknamed ''The Stars and Stripes'' or ''Old Glory''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=Whitney |title=Flag of the United States of America |url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/flag-of-the-United-States-of-America |access-date=2019-05-24 |website=Encyclopedia Britannica |language=en}}</ref> Some nations imitated this flag to symbolise their similarity to the United States and/or the [[American Revolution]]. Examples: [[Flag of Liberia|Liberia]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=Whitney |title=Flag of Liberia |url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/flag-of-Liberia |access-date=2019-05-24 |website=Encyclopedia Britannica |language=en}}</ref> [[Flag of Chile|Chile]], [[Flag of the Republic of China|Taiwan (ROC)]], and the French region of [[Flag of Brittany|Brittany]].

Several countries, including the [[Royal Air Force]], [[British Army]] and the [[Royal Navy]] ([[White Ensign]]) of the United Kingdom ([[GreatUnited BritainKingdom]]) and the [[Soviet Union]] have had [[Union Jack|unique flags]] flown by their [[armed forces]] separately, rather than the [[national flag]].

Another category of maritime flag flown by some [[United States Government|United States government]] ships is the [[distinctive mark]]. Although the [[United States Coast Guard]] has its own service ensign, all other U.S. government ships fly the national ensign as their service ensign, following [[United States Navy]] practice. To distinguish themselves from ships of the Navy, such ships historically have flown their parent organisation's flag from a forward mast as a distinctive mark. Today, for example, commissioned ships of the [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]] (NOAA) fly the [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration#Flag|NOAA flag]] as a distinctive mark.

* yellow = proceed with carecaution