Yellow Jack (flag) facts for kids
The Yellow Jack is a plain yellow flag used by ships at sea. It is also known as the Quebec flag because it represents the letter "Q" in the international signal system. In the past, this flag was a very important tool for keeping people safe from illness. It told other ships and port workers that a vessel might be carrying germs and needed to stay away for a while.
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History and Meaning of the Yellow Jack Flag
The letter "Q" was chosen for this flag because of the word quarantine. When a ship arrives at a new port, it must show that its crew is healthy. The yellow flag is a clear sign that can be seen from a long distance. It helps sailors communicate without needing to speak or send messages by hand.
How Ships Use the Quebec Flag for Health
Ships use the yellow flag in different ways depending on what they need:
- One yellow flag means the ship is waiting for a health check.
- Two yellow flags (called a "Double Quebec") mean the ship is asking for official health clearance.
When a ship is given permission to enter the port, it is called "free pratique." Once this happens, the crew can lower the yellow flag. They then raise the flag of the country they are visiting and begin their business. If they do not get permission, they must keep the flag up and stay away from others.
The Connection Between Yellow Flags and Health
Yellow has been used to mark sickness for hundreds of years. Before it was used on ships, people put yellow marks on the doors of houses where people were ill. This warned neighbors to be careful.
The flag eventually became a nickname for a sickness called yellow fever. Ships carrying people with other illnesses, like cholera, also used the yellow flag. Using a bright color like yellow made the warning very easy to see against the blue ocean.
Cultural Uses of Yellow Flags Around the World
In some parts of the world, the yellow flag has a different meaning. In cities like Jakarta, Indonesia, people use plain yellow flags to show respect for someone who has passed away.
These flags are placed at street corners to help friends and family find the right house. They also act as a signal for drivers. When people see the yellow flags, they give the right of way to the funeral group so they can travel safely.
In the year 1800, the British Royal Navy used the yellow flag for very serious official business. On August 7, 1800, a yellow flag was raised on ships like the Royal William. This was a signal for all other ships to pay attention to a serious legal event happening on board. During these times, boats from all nearby ships would gather to watch the official proceedings.
Images for kids
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The Quebec signal flag is a simple yellow square.
