Purpose of Flags
Most commonly, flags are known for representing or symbolizing a nation or country. For instance, the U.S. flag uses 13 horizontal stripes to represent the 13 original states of the United States at the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Each of the 50 white stars represents a state currently in the Union.
Flags have been used by ancient cultures, but the origin of the flag is a matter of dispute. Some people believe the flag originated in China, while others contend that the first flag was employed by the Romans. Roman legions used standards to lead troops into battle. One Roman military unit carried the standard of a dragon, and decided to give it a flexible tail that would flutter in the wind. It is said other legions copied this idea and eventually they all had cloth standards. Some believe this is the first use of flags.
Armed forces continued to use flags to lead their way into battle and identify leaders throughout the Middle Ages. Flags were used by European knights, Japanese Samarai, and Chinese imperial armies. In the 17th century, armies were centralized, and flags were used not only to identify national loyalty but also to classify military units. This custom continued until World War I, when it was felt that flags carried too much danger for the individuals carrying them, not to mention disclosed the location of commanding officers. Since then, flags have been used for ceremonial purposes, but removed from the battlefield.
Flags are also used for communication purposes on railways and in professional sports.
Flag Designs
Some flags have borrowed from the inspiration of flags from other nations. For instance, the U.S. flag was influenced by the tricolor pattern of the French flag. The flags of Chile, Liberia, Malaysia, and others were inspired by the American Revolution and the U.S. flag.
