Flags and flag-like emblems in a variety of ever-changing styles and shapes have been used for over 5,000 years. Originally used for identification in war and at sea, the first flag-like objects, or vexilloids, were solid, such as carvings of animals, birds or abstract shapes, held aloft on poles. To these were attributed the power to grant protection and victory to their bearers. The Romans used vexilloids (as in the eagle standards of the legion) but they were also the first to introduce cloth banners to the west.

Crusaders fighting in the Holy Land in the 12 th and 13 th century used flags, and many now-familiar designs originated there. The Cross was an obvious symbol to unite the Europeans, and heraldic rules developed to regulate the designs (see the image given below). Rectangular banners hung from vertical instead of horizontal poles, were preferred as more practical than the previous long, trailing pennants.

Banners in the Middle Ages generally represented royals, families or cities. National flags did not emerge clearly until the 17 th century: for example, in 1606 came the first flag of Great Britain after the 1603 union of Scotland and England under James VI and I. Most flags used today evolved from 18 th and 19 th century nationalist and revolutionary movements.

The History of Flags - Heraldic Shields

The Shapes of Flag

Almost all modern flags are rectangular, but this is fairly recent convention. In medieval times there were many different flags shapes, ranging from a pennant tied to the top of a knight’s lance, to the pennants and streamers fixed to a ship’s masthead.

The various shapes used are:

• Swiss flag is square, while Nepal’s is a double pennant
• Triangular burgees are flown on yachts
• Swallow-tail flags, usually with a tongue (a third pointed tail between the other two), are used in Scandinavian countries as naval ensigns
• Medieval gonfanons and oriflammes are used in pageants and displays