Vexillology as a word is derived from the Latin vexillum, a term used by the Romans to refer to a kind of standard with a piece of fabric hung from a horizontal crossbar on a pole. It is the nearest equivalent in the classical languages to what we call a flag today.
Flag Organizations
Many flag study societies exist in different parts of the world. They are called 'vexillological associations.'
The international organization to which these societies belong is Fédération Internationale des Associations Vexillologiques (FIAV), the International Federation of Vexillological Associations. FIAV was founded in 1967. Every two years it holds an International Congress of Vexillology (ICV).
Flag Rules and Laws
Every country and organization that has a flag to represent them always draws up sets of rules and laws to govern how the flag is designed, how and when it is to be flown and handled, uses to which the flag may or may not be put, and so on.
For example, the rules relating to the flag of the United States of America are found in detail in the United States Code. Title 4, Chapter 1 pertains to the flag; Title 18, Chapter 33, Section 700 regards criminal penalties for flag desecration; Title 36, Chapter 3 pertains to patriotic customs and observances. These laws are supplemented by Executive Orders and Presidential Proclamations.
Flag Design Principles
According to the North American Vexillogical Association (NAVA), the five basic principles of flag design, as follows:
- Keep It Simple: The flag should be so simple that a child can draw it from memory.
- Use Meaningful Symbolism: The flag's images, colors, or patterns should relate to what it symbolizes.
- Use Three Basic Colors: Limit the number of colors on the flag to three, which contrast well and come from the standard color set.
- No Lettering or Seals: Never use writing of any kind or an organization's seal.
- Be Distinctive or Be Related: Avoid duplicating other flags, but use similarities to show connections.
Flag Terminology
- Hoist: Hoist is used to describe the height of the flag while flying. The term also refers to the edge of the flag that is attached to the flagpole or staff. You may hear the term hoist to refer to this part of a flag.
- Fly: The fly of a flag is the edge opposite the hoist end, furthest from the flagpole. It's the part of the flag that flaps in the wind and sometimes becomes frayed. You may hear the term fly to refer to this part of a flag.
- Canton: When it exists, the canton is found in the upper left-hand corner of a flag. By definition, it is the top inner corner of a flag. Flags with cantons include the United States flag, the Georgia flag, the Hawaii flag and the Mississippi flag.
- Field: The section of the flag between the hoist and the fly ends is called the field or, sometimes, the ground. It does not include the canton.
Flags as Language
There is a system of international maritime signal flags for numerals and letters of the alphabet. Each flag or pennant has a specific meaning when flown individually.
Flags are used to communicate from ship to ship over short distances using a code called semaphore.
In sports such as motor racing, which these days is highly technological with instant communications, the use of flags with specific meanings is still the quickest way to warn the drivers of hazards such as collisions on the track.
Even the way a national flag is flown can have specific meaning. A flag flown at half-staff, or half-mast, indicated the death of a world leader or other important personage as laid out by the codes of the country. A flag flown upside-down is an international symbol for distress or assistance required.
Flags at Sea
The use of flags at sea is strictly regulated. They can mean the difference between life and death for seamen. A national flag that is flown at sea is called an ensign. A merchant ship or yacht customarily flies its ensign together with the flag of whatever nation it is currently visiting. To fly one's ensign alone in foreign waters, a foreign port or in the face of a foreign warship traditionally indicates a readiness to fight. This custom is still taken seriously by many naval and port authorities and is readily enforced in many parts of the world by boarding, confiscation and other civil penalties.
Sources
North American Vexillogical Association (NAVA)
International Federation of Vexillological Associations (FIAV)
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