10 Facts You May Not Know About Flags
1. The Study of Flags Is Called Vexillology
Vexillology is the scientific investigation of flags and related emblems. It is concerned with research into flags of different types, both modern and chronicled, the creation of a group of practice for banner design and usage, and of an assortment of theory of banner development. Vexillology seeks to understand and explain the significant part played by flags in the modern world.
Vexillology as a word is derived from the Latin vexillum, a term used by the Romans to refer to a sort of standard with a texture dangled from a flat crossbar on a pole. It is the nearest equivalent in the classical languages to what we call a banner today.
2. There are Only 3 National Flags That Differ On Their Front and Reverse Sides
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They are:
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• Moldova – Only the front shows the Coat of Arms
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• Paraguay – The reverse side contains the treasury seal
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• Saudi Arabia – has a blade and the Arabic engraving for "There is no God however
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Allah and Muhammad is the messenger of Allah." Since the banner contains sacred composition, the reverse side of the banner is a duplicate of the front and two flags are generally sewn together
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Moldova (Front)
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Moldova (Reverse)
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Paraguay (Front)
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Paraguay (Reverse)
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Saudi Arabia (Front and Reverse)
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3. The Biggest Flag In The World
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As per Guinness World Records the largest banner ever made was of a Romanian national banner that measured 349 x 227 meters (1,145 x 744.5ft) – around three times the size of a football field.
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It weighed 5-tons and consisted of 44 miles of thread and was unfurled 22 miles South-East of Bucharest.
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It took 200 people several hours to spread out it.
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4. The Most Expensive Union Jack In The World
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On 21st October 2009 the main enduring Union Jack from the Battle of Trafalgar was sold at sell off for £384,000 – nearly 40 times the pre-closeout estimate.
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The battle damaged banner – measuring 11ft x 7ft – flew from the jack staff of HMS Spartiate at the memorable battle and following triumph over Napoleon's French armed force, the crew lowered the banner and presented it to Lieutenant James Clephan for his extraordinary performance during the celebrated engagement.
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5. By Law The USA Burns Thousands of Flags Every Year on June fourteenth
Section 176 (k) of the US Flag Code (a set of rules on the correct treatment of the Stars and Stripes) provides that: "The banner, when it is in such condition that it is not, at this point a fitting emblem for show, ought to be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by consuming."
Subsequently every year military veteran associations and the Boy Scouts of America consume a large number of US flags between them.
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Banner burnings (or "retirements" to give it its official terminology) are typically held on Flag Day, June 14.
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6. There Is Always A Flag Flying Over Buckingham Palace
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When the Queen is in residence at Buckingham Palace the Royal Standard is flown on the rooftop top flagpole.
However, when the queen isn't there the Union Flag (Union Jack) will be flown instead.
The same applies for every single imperial residence including for Windsor Castle and Sandringham. In Scotland, the Royal Arms of Scotland is flown at Holyroodhouse and Balmoral when the Queen isn't there.
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7. There Is Only One Non Rectangular National Flag
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Every nation's banner is – partially – quadrilateral fit as a fiddle (whether it is a rectangle or a square) with just a single exception – Nepal.
It is shaped like two stacked triangles, representing the Himalaya Mountains and – more recently – the two religions of Hinduism and Buddhism. The sun and moon represent the hope that the nation will live as long as these celestial bodies.
8. A Number of National Flags Contain Religious Symbols
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There are a number of countries that use their flags to show the prominent religion in their nation. Examples of this include:
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• Turkey – the crescent and star are customary images of Islam (the state religion)
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• Algeria – the crescent, star, and shading green are customary images of Islam (the state religion)
• Pakistan – The Pakistan banner is green with a vertical white band (representing the role of religious minorities) on the lift side; a large white crescent and star are centered in the green field; the crescent, star, and shading green are customary images of Islam.
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• Israel – a blue hexagram (six-pointed linear star) is known as the Magen David (Shield of David).
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Turkey
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Algeria
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Pakistan
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Israel
9. There Are Only 2 National Flags That Are Square
There are just two countries with square flags. They are Switzerland and Vatican City.
Switzerland
Vatican City
10. The Majority of The Flags At The London 2012 Olympics Were Made In France
Despite the undoubted success of the London 2012 Olympics few people realize that the Union Jacks and all other national flags we saw flying at the Olympic venues were really made by a French organization.
The real incongruity of this is that London and Paris were the last two cities from which the IOC made their selection.
Would a British firm have been awarded the agreement to flexibly the flags if Paris had won the offered? Answers on a postcard to.
A national flag is a flag that represents and symbolizes a country. The national flag is flown by the government of a country, but can usually also be flown by citizens of the country. A national flag is designed with specific meanings for its colours and symbols. Flagsworld.org provides the list of all world flags with images, meanings, history, country information, currency, codes and time zone.
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