History

• Flags from ancient times were made out of wood, metal and stone and can be traced back to 1000 B.C.E. Flags were originally used for identification purposes or as signaling devices. The oldest preserved textile flag is a Roman cloth found in Egypt. Historians date it back to the third century C.E. It was not until the 18th century that the use of national flags became prevalent. Today, flags are used for many different purposes. Flags are often used during sporting events, such as in football to signify a violation of a rule. Flags are also used in NASCAR racing to control the flow of the race. Some churches use flags during their praise and worship services.
  
  

Types

• There are many types of flags that represent nations, geographical regions, religions or special interests. The state flag is used by the country's government. The war flag represents a country's national flag used by its armed forces. The swallowtail flag has two or three points at the fly end. Tri-band flags have three stripes that are arranged either vertically or horizontally. A house flag is used for corporate or personal use. A civil flag is also used by private citizens.
  
  

Identification

• Some colors on flags are more prevalent than others. The color red is found on approximately 75 percent of all national flags. White is found on 70 percent and blue is found on 50 percent of flags. Some flags look similar to others because of geographical proximity or because of similar religious beliefs. British Commonwealth countries often have the British Union Jack on their national flags. Islamic nations often use the color green in their flags to reflect their religious beliefs. Occasionally, the similarity between flags is coincidental.
  
  

Size

• Flag proportions are different throughout the world. There is no set standard for flag size. The largest flag ever flown was a United States flag flown over the Hoover Dam during the 1996 Olympic Torch Relay. The flag was 255' by 505'. The largest continuously flown flag is in Brasilia, Brazil. It is 230' by 328'.
  
  

Considerations

• There are certain considerations when displaying flags. When the United States flag is flown with flags of states, communities or societies and all the poles are the same height and in a straight line, the United States flag is always placed to its own right, which is a position of honor. The other flags may not be larger than the United States flag or placed above it. In this example, the United States flag would be the first raised and the last to be lowered.
  When there are flags from different countries all flown at the same time, all must be on different poles and at the same height. All must be the same size. The flags should be raised and lowered simultaneously. The flag of one nation may not be raised above another nation.