Flag

These facts are the start of your vexillology course – the study of flags.

Flags are thin, lightweight, and usually flat objects, typically used for symbolic, ornamental, religious and communication purposes.
Flags are most often shaped as quadrilaterals, specifically rectangles, although the shape varies, such as Nepal’s stacked triangular flag.
Those who study flags are named ‘vexillologists’, while the study of them is termed ‘vexillology’.
Flags are typically produced with a symbolic design and/or colours, and red, white, yellow and green are the most commonly used colours.
Flags come in a large range of sizes and can have various uses, and are most notably used as a symbol for a republic, state or country, as well as an organisation.

Flags are important devices for ships and other water vehicles, as they are used for courtesy, symbolism and signalling, especially when visiting foreign waters.
When produced, fabric flags are typically dyed throughout the material, which will create a mirror image on the back of the flag.
In December 2013, the Arab State of Qatar in the Middle East won the world record for the largest flag by size, measuring 101,978 square metres (25.2 acres or 10.2 hectares), and it was later used to make school bags for at least 200,000 needy children around the world.
Flags are most commonly made from fabric, although sometimes they are made from plastic for inexpensive, short term uses, especially for organised celebrations that involve large crowds of people.
When flapping in the wind, flags can imitate the motions of ocean waves, and they are most commonly hung horizontally, generally on flagpoles, but they can be hung vertically, although small disposable flags have a stick attached and can be held in one’s hand.

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