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 Today, every country in the world has
its own flag. For example, we have
Tae-geuk-gi in Korea, Britain has the Union Jack, and the U.S.
has the Stars and Stripes. Also,
in the United States, every state has its
own flag. Many organizations or groups also
have flags to represent them. And each
flag has a unique purpose and meaning behind it. Flags are used
for wars, as well as for the celebration of special events. This week, let’s
learn some interesting facts about flags!
A flag is a piece of colored fabric or material that is used as
a symbol or for sending a signal. Flags come in many
different sizes, shapes and colors. Generally, flags are used
to give people information. For example,
long ago, knights carried flags in
battle so they could distinguish friend from enemy. Flags are also used
as symbols and signals. A red flag represents a warning or danger. And a white flag
is used to indicate surrender. Waving a white
flag is the international sign for surrender.
Another well-known flag is the “Jolly Roger,” used by pirates. These flags usually feature some combination of a skull and cross-bones.
The history of flags dates back
more than 4,000 years. Ancient flags were called
“vexilloids.” The word comes from a Latin word which means “guide.” Vexilloids were metal or wooden poles with unique carvings on top. The first
known metal flag came from Iran and dates back to 3,000 BC. About 2,000 years ago,
pieces of fabric or material were added to some vexilloids for decoration. These looked
more like the flags we know today.
 Today,
every country in the world has a flag. As governments change, so do their flags.
Many organizations or groups like the Girl Scouts or the United Nations
have flags, too. Flags can be used to provide information or to
stand for special ideas or
things. For example, the five circles of the Olympic flag represent
the coming together of people from five continents in friendly competition. And “peace” is the message of
the olive branches cradling the world
in the flag of the United Nations. Also, kings and queens have their
very own personal flags. Sometimes a personal flag
flies over a building where a king or a queen is staying.
The pictures on a flag symbolize something important. Many flags have
the same basic patterns such as stripes and stars. Colors
on a flag are important, too. The colors found in flags have special
meanings:
* Red - danger, revolution, bloodshed of
war, courage, power
* White - peace, surrender, truce
* Orange- courage, sacrifice
* Green - safety, land, youth, hope
* Yellow - caution, gold
* Black - mourning, death |
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