The flag is more than just a fabric, more than just a material. The flag not only represents the country but it also represents all things that the country stands for. It is a way of illustrating the different values and concepts that people who stand under this flag hold. If you’re curious about flags, here are 7 interesting facts about them.
1. There is a Study on Flags – Vexillology
For a lot of people flags just represent a country, but for some, they represent a story. They represent enough information that it is a subject of study for them. The study of flags is known as vexillology and it is considered a niche area of history. This field covers the study of all kinds of flags, those that have been used for all kinds of purposes.
2. The Union Jack is Expensive!
The design of the flag that is used for the UK flag is known as the Union Jack. Recently, a real flag from the Battle of Trafalgar was sold for nearly 400,00 GBP. Making this auction of a Union Jack the most expensive of its kind in history.
3. The Biggest Flag is Impressive
Flags are made in different sizes for different situations, there isn’t a standard size of flag that works for every situation. You can get custom-made flags from this place and you can even modify the color and styling of the flag to suit your needs. The biggest flag in history was made for Romania and it measured roughly 1200ftx750ft. That’s about the size of three football fields.
4. They’re Printed Front and Back
Most flags have the same image or design on both the front and back. There are three exceptions to this rule. Namely, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Moldovia, and Paraguay. The flags of these countries are different on both sides.
5. There Are Many That Have Been Updated
Most flags that are used today have been developed within the past 200 years. There are only a couple of countries that have had the same flag for more than 300 years. This is partly also because a lot of countries have only gained independence within the last two hundred years roughly.
6. Flags Have Stories to Tell
The way that the flag is used and where it is used tells us a lot about what is going on in that situation. For instance, raising a white flag in the middle of war means a party has surrendered. Raising a flag at half-mast means something of sorrow has happened. And planting a flag in a new location such as the moon is a means of claiming that piece of land. The flag can represent many different things based on how it is used.
7. Burning a Flag is Bad News
If a flag gets damaged, burnt, or soiled in any way, the most respectable way to discard it is by burning it. In fact, some countries have a flag burning day where flags that have been retired are collected from all over the country and burned altogether.
Flags are a lot more than just a piece of fabric. Each flag is special and unique in its own way because each flag has its own history. Each country tries to tell the most that it can about itself just through its flag. Regardless of which country it belongs to, every flag is worthy of respect, love, and appreciation. Especially when you realize the true reason behind it.
And Finland and Sweden better hurry up and join Nato or they won’t have any flags no more! This war down south is primarily about the food. The west took the grain and dispersed it accordingly. Now Russia wants that land back. Belarus and Ukraine are the crown jewels of food producers in Europe. These are the lands always consider ‘Mother Russia’. As for Sweden they are wide open for invasion if things go south. First to go!
Interesting take, I don’t disagree