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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RT @USArmy: President Obama orders flags flown at half-staff from now through Veteran's Day, in honor of the victim (cont) http://tl.gd/ru0j
cherieanguay (Cherie Anguay) Fri, 06 Nov 2009 18:48:15 -0000
RT @USArmy: President Obama orders flags flown at half-staff from now through Veteran's Day, in honor of the victim (cont) http://tl.gd/ru0j
Why are they playing the six flags song during the yankees key ceremony?
ialiai (Alia) Fri, 06 Nov 2009 18:48:12 -0000
Why are they playing the six flags song during the yankees key ceremony?
@MU_CSC Six Flags is seeking Interns for the 2010 season. Check out www.sixflagsjobs.com and choose Great America!
alexiswillick (Alexis Six Flags HR) Fri, 06 Nov 2009 18:48:10 -0000
@MU_CSC Six Flags is seeking Interns for the 2010 season. Check out www.sixflagsjobs.com and choose Great America!
hates the music, thinks it's working. I want to go to Six Flags.
darrylmeadows (Darryl L. Meadows) Fri, 06 Nov 2009 18:47:55 -0000
hates the music, thinks it's working. I want to go to Six Flags.
I feel like the baldheaded dude on the Six Flags commercials right now (via @christinamendez) hahaha break out into a jigg CM!!
CambridgeCEOCOO (Joyll Cambridge) Fri, 06 Nov 2009 18:47:41 -0000
I feel like the baldheaded dude on the Six Flags commercials right now (via @christinamendez) hahaha break out into a jigg CM!!
Sigh. Are they really handing out keys to the city to the Six Flags commercial song?
dansays (Dan Budiac) Fri, 06 Nov 2009 18:44:58 -0000
Sigh. Are they really handing out keys to the city to the Six Flags commercial song?

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