Flag Facts for Kids

The Flag of Turkey flying over the Bosphorus strait.

A flag is a special piece of colored cloth. It has a unique design and is usually flown on a pole. Flags are used as a symbol to represent something important. They can stand for a country, a group, or even a message.

The History of Flags
Different Types of Flags
Images for kids
See also

The History of Flags

Flags have been around for a very long time! They first appeared over 2000 years ago in China. People in Europe also used flags during the time of the Roman Empire. In the past, soldiers carried beautiful flags into war. Today, these special flags are mostly used in military parades.

Different Types of Flags

There are many kinds of flags, each with its own special purpose.

National Flags

A National Flag is the most important symbol of a country, also called a nation. For example, the national flag of the United States is called the Stars and Stripes. The flag of the United Kingdom is known as the Union Flag or Union Jack. France's national flag is the Tricolore, and the flag of Turkey has a crescent and star.

Flags for Ships (Ensigns)

An Ensign is a special kind of national flag. It is used specifically on ships. Different types of ships often use different ensigns. For example, warships use a naval ensign. This flag is usually different from the ensigns used by other kinds of ships.

Rank Flags

A Rank Flag is used by important leaders. This includes a head of state or a senior officer in the navy, army, or air force. It helps to show where that important person is located.

Flags for Places

Some states, provinces, cities, and towns have their own flags. For example, all 50 states within the United States have their own state flags. These flags represent the unique identity of that specific place.

Signal Flags

A Signal Flag is a flag used by ships to send messages. They can send messages to other ships or to people on land. Every ship keeps many different signal flags. They use these flags for different situations. Signal flags are also used in racing to communicate rules or warnings.

Flags for Groups and Organizations

Flags are also used to represent many other groups. This can include a business, a sports team, a school, or a political party. Any organization might have its own flag to show its identity.

Images for kids

United Nations members' national flags
Setting up a flag can mean conquering something. Jaan Künnap with the flag of Estonia at the top of Lenin Peak (7,134 m [23,406 feet]) in 1989.
Bronze flag found in Shahdad, Iran, from the 3rd millennium BC.
Sujagi of Eo Jae-yeon, captured in 1871.
Flags at half-mast outside Central Plaza, Hong Kong, after the 2008 Sichuan earthquake. The Flag of Saudi Arabia is exempted.
Tribal flags at Meeting Place Monument/Flag Plaza at the Oklahoma State Capitol.
The Danish national flag (Dannebrog) waving in Samsø.
Ensigns are flown on boats to show the country where the boat is registered.
Vertical flags seen in Switzerland.
Open swimming area.
Closed swimming area.
Red flag at a beach in Ireland, showing that the water is not safe for swimming.
One of the two 60-foot-tall flagpoles in the Siena Cathedral. During the battle of Montaperti (1260), a spy brought Florence's flag down, causing panic and their defeat.
The former flagpole in Kew Gardens, taken shortly before it was removed in 2007.
Semaphore signals for the letters of the English alphabet.
Poland (Gorzów Wlkp.). Religious flags.
Flagpole of modest size, with a simple truck.
Large flagpole, showing a structured truck (New Zealand).
New Caledonia has two flags, flown here in Nouméa, the capital city, on a single flagpole with a crossbar.
Dwajasthambam (flagpole) at Brihadeeswarar Temple, Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, India.