Flags are symbols of a country's unity and pride. They can be found anywhere and have been around since 4000 BC. Flags however will be nothing but a piece of clothing without flag poles to where they actually fly. From today's space age flag poles to modified trees and aluminum flag poles, these poles have their own history which is as interesting as the history of the flags they carry.
Different colored rectangular pieces of fabric designed with specific and distinctive characters is a description used by many to refer to flags. These flags are as old as the civilized human society and are used for various purposes such as a symbol of a nation, as a signaling device, or as a decoration. Earlier flags, unlike the ones we knew now were made of metal or wooden poles which were designed with carvings and were then known as vexilloids. The term vexilloid is the origin of the word "vexillology" which is defined as the study of different kinds of flags.
Pieces of fabric together with other types of materials were eventually used to decorate vexilloids which made them look the same way as the flags we know today. Keeping the fabrics close to the vexilloids became a bit tricky as people needed to use poles which are actually the flag poles we now know. Trees selected for their relative straightness are the original flag poles used. These changed during the 20th century when people started manufacturing different types of materials which include aluminum and aluminum alloy. Alluminum flagpoles since then became the mostly used type of pole as the material used for this kind is much cheaper than steel.
The original use of flag poles for people is to provide information. Upon their creation thousands of years ago, they were used in wars and tribes. Knights and army men used flags to identify who their enemies and allies are. Tribes on the other hand used flags to identify tribe members and names as well as mark territory or boundaries. For many of us, flags are only used as symbol for countries. However, the reality is flags are also used to represent royal houses, businesses, military ranks and units, sports team, and political parties.
Flags flying on aluminum flag poles or other types of poles are designed in a variety of ways. Among the popular designs of flags around the world are bicolor, stars, triband, tricolor, and triangles. Bicolor flags, such as the flags of Indonesia, Monaco, and Singapore, are those with two stripes, either vertical or horizontal. On the other hand, starred-flags are those that feature stars such as the flags of America, Australia, and the Philippines. Triband flags, alternatively, are those that have three stripes, either horizontal or vertical, and consist of two colors, while tricolor flags are those that feature three stripes and three colors. Lastly, triangle flags, such as the flags of Cuba and Nepal are those that have a large triangle usually at the hoist side.
A country's flag is considered as its identity. No matter the flag design or the type of pole like an aluminum flag pole, the important thing to do is to keep the flag flying.
Different colored rectangular pieces of fabric designed with specific and distinctive characters is a description used by many to refer to flags. These flags are as old as the civilized human society and are used for various purposes such as a symbol of a nation, as a signaling device, or as a decoration. Earlier flags, unlike the ones we knew now were made of metal or wooden poles which were designed with carvings and were then known as vexilloids. The term vexilloid is the origin of the word "vexillology" which is defined as the study of different kinds of flags.
Pieces of fabric together with other types of materials were eventually used to decorate vexilloids which made them look the same way as the flags we know today. Keeping the fabrics close to the vexilloids became a bit tricky as people needed to use poles which are actually the flag poles we now know. Trees selected for their relative straightness are the original flag poles used. These changed during the 20th century when people started manufacturing different types of materials which include aluminum and aluminum alloy. Alluminum flagpoles since then became the mostly used type of pole as the material used for this kind is much cheaper than steel.
The original use of flag poles for people is to provide information. Upon their creation thousands of years ago, they were used in wars and tribes. Knights and army men used flags to identify who their enemies and allies are. Tribes on the other hand used flags to identify tribe members and names as well as mark territory or boundaries. For many of us, flags are only used as symbol for countries. However, the reality is flags are also used to represent royal houses, businesses, military ranks and units, sports team, and political parties.
Flags flying on aluminum flag poles or other types of poles are designed in a variety of ways. Among the popular designs of flags around the world are bicolor, stars, triband, tricolor, and triangles. Bicolor flags, such as the flags of Indonesia, Monaco, and Singapore, are those with two stripes, either vertical or horizontal. On the other hand, starred-flags are those that feature stars such as the flags of America, Australia, and the Philippines. Triband flags, alternatively, are those that have three stripes, either horizontal or vertical, and consist of two colors, while tricolor flags are those that feature three stripes and three colors. Lastly, triangle flags, such as the flags of Cuba and Nepal are those that have a large triangle usually at the hoist side.
A country's flag is considered as its identity. No matter the flag design or the type of pole like an aluminum flag pole, the important thing to do is to keep the flag flying.
About the Author:
Genevieve Graham is a vexillologist from Houston, Texas. Her line of work not only involves the study of flags but also identifying the types of flag poles such as alu fahnenmast that were used and are being used by nations and organizations for their flags.