Vexillology: for all you flag lovers

These day the flag of Pakistan is being sold on the streets in all shapes and sizes because the anniversary of Independence is coming up on August 14 and one of the ways people celebrate the day is to fly a flag, from the rooftop; their vehicles – even if it’s the lowly bicycle – by decorating homes and public buildings and so on. It is noteworthy that the smallest cars have the biggest flags flying as they ply the roads!

So what is a flag and how does it symbolise your country? Here are some facts gathered from the internet. A flag is described as ‘a piece of cloth or similar material, typically oblong or square, attachable by one edge to a pole or rope and used as the symbol or emblem of a country or institution or as a decoration during public festivities.’ One of the most popular uses of a flag is to symbolise a nation or country and it should not be treated with disrespect.

Generally speaking, meanings are ascribed to certain symbols. For example, the cross in the flags of Greece, the Scandinavian countries and British flags is a symbol of Christianity. Similarly, the Arabic writing on the flag of Saudi Arabia and the flag of Iraq are Islamic, while the Star of David in the flag of Israel is an ancient Jewish symbol.

Religious symbolism can also be expressed via colour, such as green, often used in Arab/Islamic countries, such as Libya, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and the green stripe in the flags of Kuwait, Jordan, Palestine, etc. The flags of Turkey, Tunisia and Pakistan include the crescent moon, another traditional symbol, found on several flags of Muslim countries.

Communist derived flags may include a hammer and sickle, such as the flag of USSR, the former Soviet Union and the current flag of Angola, or a red background, such as the flags of China and Vietnam.

The Eagle has been used as a national or imperial symbol since the times of the Roman Empire, which was a huge and enduring Christian territory for over a millennium. Consequently, many Christian, imperial and other aspiring successors and hopefuls have adopted similar emblems, including Germany, Egypt, Russia and the ancient orthodox Christian churches.

The colours of a flag also hold some meaning. Black often represents determination, ethnic heritage, and/or defeating one's enemies; blue often represents freedom, vigilance, perseverance, justice, prosperity, peace, and/or patriotism; green can symbolise the earth, agriculture, fertility, and/or the Muslim religion; red often represents courage, revolution, hardiness, blood, and/or valour; white often represents peace, purity, mountain snow, and/or innocence, while yellow often represents the sun, wealth, and/or justice. A simple white flag represents surrender.