Vexillology facts for kids
Have you ever wondered about flags? Vexillology is the cool study of flags! The word 'vexillology' comes from two old words. 'Vexillum' is a Latin word for a special flag used by Roman legions. '-Ology' is a Greek word meaning 'the study of'. So, vexillology literally means 'the study of flags'.
It's like studying symbols, similar to how people study coats of arms in something called heraldry. A person who studies flags is called a vexillologist. If someone designs flags, they are a vexillographer.
Flags are usually designed with bold pictures and bright, simple colors. This is because they fly outside and move in the wind. Flag designs also often follow history. Newer flags might look like older ones from the same area. This is why many flags in a region can look similar. Good examples include the Pan-African colors, Pan-Arab colors, and the Nordic Cross.
Understanding Flag Types
Flags are used for many different reasons. To help people understand these uses, a special system was created.
The Flag Identification System (FIS)
The Flag Identification System was made by Whitney Smith. It was later adopted by the Fédération internationale des associations vexillologiques (FIAV). This system uses symbols to describe how and where a flag is used.
The system divides flags into two main groups: flags used on land and flags used on water. Each group then splits into three types: private, government, and military use.
| Usage | Private Use | Government Use | Military Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Land Use | Civil Flag | State Flag | War Flag |
| Sea Use | Civil Ensign | State Ensign | War Ensign |
This system uses 63 different symbols to describe flags. These symbols tell us many things. They show who uses the flag and where. For example, a symbol can tell you if a flag is for a private person on land. It can also show if it's for military ships.
Here are a few examples of these symbols:
| Symbol | Description | Usage |
|---|---|---|
 |
Civil Flag | Used by private people on land. |
 |
State Flag | Used by government offices on land. |
 |
War Flag | Used by the army on land. |
 |
War Ensign | Used by military ships (the navy). |
 |
National Flag | Used for all purposes on land. |
 |
National Flag and Ensign | Used for all purposes on land and at sea. |
Other Flag Symbols
Other symbols in the FIS describe more details about flags. They can show if a flag is official or how it should be displayed.
This means it's the normal or official version of the flag. It can also mean the front side of the flag.
This flag design was suggested but not officially chosen yet.
This design is a guess or a recreation of an old flag.
This symbol shows the back side of the flag.
This means it's a slightly different version of a flag.
This flag is used in real life, but it's not officially recognized.
This flag has different designs on its front and back.
This flag was used in the past but is not used anymore.
This flag can be hung vertically by turning the pole.
See also
In Spanish: Vexilología para niños
