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Flags as we know them today quite probably originated from the banners of olden times that, in their turn, were successor to the old standards.

Standards such as the Roman and Persian eagles were used as a national emblem. Mounted on poles or in an emergency on a spear or lance the representation of the eagle, bear, wolf or other creature was carried near to the commander in battle. The reason for this was threefold: to identify, as a rallying point, and also as what might be called a superstition that the figure was a good luck talisman.

Such standards were usually made of gold and/or silver and often encrusted with jewels. They were of great value and apart from the act of valour in capturing one it was a financially worthwhile exercise. Looking at it quite bluntly they were not only a terrific responsibility but also an encumbrance which had to be protected at all times. These standards were also a nuisance and could be confusing, especially to mercenaries. For example, these men knew that they were paid to fight on the side of the troops with, say, a boar for their standard, but what happened if the national emblem of the enemy also happened to be a boar, or a pig? What did they do if the man they were supposed to be fighting was wily enough to produce a quick copy of the standard they were expected to support? Battles in those days were seldom fought by trained soldiers but more often between hordes of armed peasants who had simply been brought to the site, pointed in the right direction and set off whirling their axes at anyone who got in the way.

Flags Variety

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.