A flag is a piece of cloth, often flown from a pole or mast, generally used for signalling or identification. The design of a flag displayed in another form is also referred to as a flag. The first flags were used to assist military coordination on battlefields, and flags have evolved into a general tool for rudimentary signalling and identification, especially in environments where communication is similarly challenging (such as the maritime environment where semaphore is used). National flags are potent patriotic symbols with varied wide-ranging interpretations, often including strong military associations due to their original and ongoing military uses. Flags are used in messaging or advertising, or for decorative purposes, though at this less formal end the distinction between a flag and a simple cloth banner is blurred. The study of flags is known as vexillology, from the Latin vexillum meaning flag or banner.

History

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Although flag-like symbols have been used by ancient cultures for thousands of years, the origin of flags in the modern sense is a matter of dispute. Some believe flags originated in China, while others hold that the Roman Empire's vexillum was the first true flag. Originally, the standards of the Roman legions were not flags, but symbols like the eagle of Augustus Caesar's Xth legion; this eagle would be placed on a staff for the standard-bearer to hold up during battle. But a military unit from Scythia had for a standard a dragon with a flexible tail which would move in the wind; the legions copied this; eventually all the legions had flexible standards — our modern-day flag.

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@tathamoddie Funnily enough I have the cable ties, cable wraps and cable flags, it's just impossible to keep under control!
jodiem (JodieM) Thu, 26 Nov 2009 23:10:55 -0000
@tathamoddie Funnily enough I have the cable ties, cable wraps and cable flags, it's just impossible to keep under control!
@jilliandee yes ! . you get to go san fransisco and i get to go to six flags :)
tinalovesjobros (Tina Tran) Thu, 26 Nov 2009 23:10:29 -0000
@jilliandee yes ! . you get to go san fransisco and i get to go to six flags :)
THEY WERE FANTASTIC...loved the fireworks and the flags and dancers...made it all very entertaining
tyramisu (Patricia Longdo) Thu, 26 Nov 2009 23:08:47 -0000
THEY WERE FANTASTIC...loved the fireworks and the flags and dancers...made it all very entertaining
Beki's coming over. (: Six Flags tomorrow. Wanna come?
imreesesfishyxD (Alicia ali) Thu, 26 Nov 2009 23:08:27 -0000
Beki's coming over. (: Six Flags tomorrow. Wanna come?
at sharon's house . shopping tomorrow , and then six flags on saturday :) great weekend .!
tinalovesjobros (Tina Tran) Thu, 26 Nov 2009 23:07:39 -0000
at sharon's house . shopping tomorrow , and then six flags on saturday :) great weekend .!
@get2knowpro Where you was at my nigga? Were you waving the flags?? Jk
rev_fresh2death (Reverend Ayala) Thu, 26 Nov 2009 23:07:20 -0000
@get2knowpro Where you was at my nigga? Were you waving the flags?? Jk

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