FLAGS: national symbol
Flags are common national symbols that are used to represent countries, states, cities, organizations, and other groups. There are several reasons why flags have become ubiquitous as symbols around the world:
Visual Identification
The primary function of a flag is visual identification. A flag’s colors, patterns, and symbols are designed to be easily distinguished, especially when flown on poles or banners. This allows people to quickly recognize the group or place the flag represents. For example, the American flag with red, white, and blue colors and white stars on a blue field is instantly recognizable as a symbol of the United States. Flags allow rapid visual identification at a distance, whether on the battlefield, at sea, in sports stadiums, or during ceremonies.
Shared Symbol of Unity
Flags serve as shared symbols that unite the people and institutions that they represent. When Americans see the Stars and Stripes flying high, it evokes a common sense of national identity and pride. The flag is displayed proudly by citizens, soldiers, politicians, and others to signal their patriotism and unity with the nation. Similarly, groups like states, provinces, cities, and organizations rally around their representative flags as emblems of their shared membership, history, values, and goals.
Rallying Point
As a corollary to their symbolic power, flags also serve as rallying points for nations and causes. They help focus unity, inspire devotion and sacrifice, and motivate collective action. Soldiers charging into battle with the flag flying high are driven by their shared loyalty to its symbolic power. Politicians and activists march with flags aloft to inspire solidarity with their national or ideological goals. Sport fans wave team flags to spur their side to victory. So flags act as powerful rallying points for all manner of groups and endeavors.
History of Flags
The use of flags dates far back in human history, originating with ancient chieftains, monarchs, and armies. Here is a brief overview of the history and development of flags:
Ancient Banners
Some of the earliest flags were the banners flown in ancient Egypt, Assyria, India, and China to identify rulers and military units. Simple fabric standards, mounts, and decorated spears served as visible points during battles. The Roman legions carried various emblems and banners called vexilloids identifying each unit.
Heraldic Standards
With the development of heraldry in medieval Europe, armies and noble families began displaying their coat of arms and other identifying symbols on flags and shields. This marked the beginnings of a patriotic reverence for symbolic national flags in the West.
Naval Ensigns
During the Age of Sail, European navies began flying ships’ colors and maritime flags to identify national vessels at sea. The British Union Jack and the French Tricolour emerged as famous naval ensigns. Flags allowed sailing ships to quickly determine friends from foes on the high seas.
National Flags
The 19th and 20th centuries saw the rise of national flags as we know them today. As ideas of nationhood and self-determination grew, newly independent states designed national flags to symbolize their identities. The American Stars and Stripes, Indian Tricolour, and Chinese Five-Star Red Flag became icons of their modern nations.
Subnational and Organizational Flags
Beyond national flags, subnational entities like American states and cities also developed their own representative flags. Likewise, all sorts of public and private organizations designed flags and banners to proclaim their identities and rally support.
So flags evolved from ancient battle standards into ubiquitous symbols that visually express identities. Their symbolic power makes them ideal for fostering unity, loyalty, and spirit.
Design Elements of Flags
There are various common design elements that make up the visual appearance of most flags:
Colors
A flag’s colors form the backdrop for other symbols and are often meaningful themselves. National flags frequently use colors associated with the nation, such as the red, white, and blue of America and France reflecting shared national histories. Organizational flags also utilize colors linked to their causes or membership.
Shapes and Ratios
The shapes and dimensions of flags are usually rectangular or square. Most national flags are in a 1:2 proportion ratio, with the width being 1/2 the height. So a common national flag size is 4 feet high by 6 feet wide.
Symbols
Symbols like stars, crosses, animals, and mythical creatures are used to express deeper meanings. The 50 American stars reflect the 50 states, while the UK’s Union Jack incorporates the crosses of three patron saints. Use of symbols adds symbolic meaning to the visual impact.
Charges and Fields
The background section of a flag is the field, while symbols placed on the field are known as charges. For example, the American flag has a blue canton (field) with 50 white stars (charge). Fields and charges allow additional design combinations.
Borders and Fimbriations
Some flags add borders and stripes along the edges, called fimbriations. Borders frame the central design while fimbriations help make charge symbols stand apart from the field.
Hoist and Fly Ends
The hoist edge of a flag is the vertical side attached to the flagpole. The fly end is the horizontal edge flying farthest from the hoist. A common hoisting convention is to display the obverse or national side on the hoist end, with the reverse or mirrored design on the fly end.
So flag designers employ colors, shapes, symbols, and other elements to craft distinctive, meaningful flags.
Rules and Guidelines
While creativity is allowed in designing flags, there are some unofficial rules and guidelines that vexillologists (those who study flags) recommend for making effective, meaningful flags:
Use Meaningful Symbolism
All elements of a flag should relate to the entity it represents and utilize symbolism tied to its history, values, culture, or other identifying meanings. Abstract or arbitrary designs are usually less effective.
Keep It Simple
The best flag designs are simple enough for a child to draw from memory. Overly intricate detail and complex symbolism weakens impact and recall. Flags must also remain identifiable from a distance.
Use 2-3 Basic Colors
Limiting the number of colors in a flag design improves visual impact and recognition. Two or three bold colors work best. Monochrome and multicolor flags tend to be more difficult to distinguish.
No Lettering or Seals
Words, phrases, and elaborate seals weaken a flag’s visibility and symbolic impact. Lettering and seals rarely distinguish well at a distance. The emphasis should be on graphic elements rather than literal ones.
Distinctive or Related Design
Avoid duplicating major elements of existing flags. Instead, build distinction from other flags, or purposefully connect your design to related flags.
Following these best practices produces flags that serve their purpose well as meaningful, identifiable symbols.
Examples of Iconic Flag Designs
Here are some examples of national and other flags that are recognized around the world, discussing their effective use of symbolic design elements:
| Flag | Design Details |
|---|---|
| American Flag | Thirteen red and white stripes represent the original 13 colonies. Fifty white stars on a blue canton represent the 50 US states. Red, white and blue colors echo the British Union Jack and French Tricolour. |
| British Union Jack | Combines the red cross of England, white saltire of Scotland, and red saltire of Ireland on a blue field. Remains an iconic combination of merging nations. |
| Japanese Flag | A red disk on a white field representing the rising sun. Matches the historical symbol used on samurai banners and Japan’s national anthem. |
| LGBT Pride Flag | Rainbow colors represent diversity within LGBT communities. Originally eight colors, now commonly six. Simple yet meaningful. |
| United Nations Flag | Olive branches and world map on a light blue field. Symbolizes world peace, dialogue and international unity. |
These examples reflect creative and thoughtful use of colors, shapes, and symbols in flags that have become internationally recognized.
Usage of Flags
Flags are commonly displayed and used in a variety of symbolic and practical ways:
Ceremonial Displays
Flags flying on poles outside public buildings or carried in parades represent respect and ceremony during holidays, inaugurations, memorials and other events.
Military and Signaling Uses
Flags allow identification of military ships, planes, vehicles and personnel. They also have been used for transmitting coded signals during wartime using semaphore flag signaling systems.
Identification and Location
An entity’s flag visually establishes their presence and ownership. Flags indicate the nationality of ships at sea and embassies on land. They mark claimed territories and accomplishments like on the moon’s surface.
Pledge of Allegiance
Citizens commonly pledge allegiance to their national flag as a symbol of loyalty to country during public gatherings, sporting events, schools, and other occasions.
Raising Morale and Solidarity
Waving flags bonds citizens in patriotic solidarity during conflicts when national spirit needs boosting. Supporters also wave flags promoting their chosen parties, causes or sports teams.
So flags find wide use instilling national pride, marking territory, signaling identity, and building loyalty and solidarity.
Why People Relate to Flags
Given their widespread and enduring prominence, flags clearly resonate with people on a deep symbolic level. Here are some reasons why:
Tribal Identity Symbols
Like tribal totems, flags embody the shared identity and values of the group. This taps into a primal need to belong with others by displaying tribal symbols.
Personal Connection
People feel a sense of personal connection to the history, values and aspirations represented in their national or organizational flags. The flag’s symbolic power affects them individually.
Shared Burdens and Glories
The sacrifices, achievements, and destinies bound up in a flag remind individuals that they partake in the group’s common burdens and glories. Its symbols connect personal and communal identities.
Inspiring Romantic Idealism
Flags evoke sentiments of duty, honor, valor, and idealism associated with the causes represented. Their symbolic appeal facilitates willingness to serve higher purposes.
So relating to flags satisfies deep personal longings to belong, to transcend selfishness, and to secure immortal purpose through identifying with durable symbols.
Conclusion
In summary, flags originated as military identification but evolved into potent wide-ranging symbols that powerfully represent countries, causes, groups, and ideas around the world. Their colors, shapes and symbolic charges allow immediate visual recognition. Flags’ ability to embody ideas and inspire loyalty explains their universal popularity. They tap into a deep human longing for identity, belonging and transcendence. For all these reasons, flags are likely to remain prominent symbols uniting those who rally around them for the foreseeable future.