Scott Schweizer, age 7, of Staten Island, N.Y., for his question:
WHY DOES EVERY COUNTRY HAVE ITS OWN FLAG?
Our Continental Congress didn’t leave records showing why they picked red, white and blue as the colors for our Flag. But in 1782 when the Great Seal of the United States was chosen by the Congress of the Confederation, their resolution listed the meanings of the colors: red for hardiness and courage, white for purity and innocence and blue for vigilance, justice and perseverance.
Flags are used as symbols. Every nation has one to stand for the country’s ideals, government and people. Tradition is also part of the reason why every country has its own flag.
The flag tradition started back in the—ancient days when man first started to record his history. The Egyptians flew streamers tied to the tops of long poles. Soldiers carried them into battle, hoping that their gods would go with them and guide them. They also knew the markers would help coordinate their forces.
The Assyrians, Greeks and Romans used symbols in the same way. Gods and rulers were often pictured on the flaglike banners.
While the early flags were often symbolic, they were also practical. The generals could quickly check to see which way the wind was blowing so that a better direction could be given as to which way arrows should be shot. Flags were also used for signaling.
Symbolism is the important element in many of the world’s flags. Many Christian nations use the symbol of the cross. Crescent and star is a symbol of peace and life and is found on many Moslem flags. Stars symbolize unity.
Most of the world’s flags use one or more of only seven basic colors: red, white, blue, green, yellow, black and orange. These seven colors came from heraldry, a system of design that grew up during the Middle Ages.
Denmark is given credit for having the same national flag for the longest period of time. It was selected more than 750 years ago and features a white cross on a red sky.
The Austrian flag, adopted in 1919, is.based on a Third Crusade flag from 1191. It is said that Duke Leopold V took off his bloodstained cloak after a battle and found that his belt had kept a white stripe through it. The flag is red with a white stripe through it.
Vexillology is the name given to the study of the history and symbolism of flags. This interesting name comes from the Latin word vexillum, which means square flag or banner. Soldiers in ancient Rome carried square military flags that hung from crossbars and were fastened to staffs. Most national flags are rectangular, but some are square. Official flags can also be triangular or swallowtailed.