1. Vexillology is the study of flags.
The scientific study of flags and related emblems is known as vexillology. It is concerned with flag research of all kinds, both modern and historical, the development of a body of practise for flag design and usage, and the development of a body of theory of flag development. Vexillology seeks to comprehend and explain the significance of flags in the modern world.
The term vexillology is derived froin vexillum, which was used by the Romans to describe a type of standard with a fabric hung from a horizontal crossbar on a pole. It is the classical languages' closest equivalent to what we call a flag today.
2. There are only three national flags that have different front and reverse sides.
They are as follows:
Moldova - The Coat of Arms is only visible on the front.
Paraguay - The treasury seal is on the reverse side.
Saudi Arabia - a sword with the Arabic inscription "There is no God but Allah, and Muhammad is Allah's messenger." Because the flag contains sacred writing, the reverse side is a mirror image of the front, and two flags are usually sewn together.
3. The World's Biggest Flag
The largest flag ever made, according to Guinness World Records, was a Romanian national flag measuring 349 x 227 metres (1,145 x 744.5ft) - roughly three times the size of a football field.
It weighed 5 tonnes, had 44 miles of thread, and was unfurled 22 miles south of Bucharest.
Unfurling it took 200 people several hours.
4. The World's Most Expensive Union Jack
The only surviving Union Jack from the Battle of Trafalgar was auctioned off for £384,000 on October 21, 2009, nearly 40 times the pre-auction estimate.
The 11ft x 7ft battle damaged flag flew from the jack staff of HMS Spartiate during the historic battle, and after victory over Napoleon's French army, the crew lowered the flag and presented it to Lieutenant James Clephan for his outstanding performance during the famous engagement.
5. By Law Every year on June 14th, the United States burns thousands of flags.
According to Section 176 (k) of the US Flag Code (a set of rules governing the proper treatment of the Stars and Stripes), "the flag, when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, should be destroyed in a dignified manner, preferably by burning."
As a result, each year, military veteran organisations and the Boy Scouts of America burn thousands of US flags.
Flag burnings (or "retirements," as the official term is) are typically held on Flag Day, June 14.
6. A flag is always flown over Buckingham Palace.
The Royal Standard is flown on the roof top flagpole at Buckingham Palace when the Queen is in residence.
When the Queen is not present, the Union Flag (Union Jack) is flown in her place.
All royal residences, including Windsor Castle and Sandringham, are subject to the same restrictions. When the Queen is not present, the Royal Arms of Scotland are flown at Holyroodhouse and Balmoral in Scotland.
7. There is only one non-rectangular national flag.
Except for Nepal, every country's flag is quadrilateral in shape (whether a rectangle or a square
It is shaped like two stacked triangles, representing the Himalaya Mountains and, more recently, the two religions of Hinduism and Buddhism. The sun and moon represent the hope that the country will live as long as these celestial bodies.
8. Several national flags include religious symbols.
A number of countries use their flags to display the predominant religion in their country. Here are some examples:
Turkey - the crescent and star are traditional Islamic symbols (the state religion)
Algeria – the crescent, star, and colour green are traditional symbols of Islam (the state religion) (the state religion)
Pakistan's flag is green with a vertical white band on the hoist side (symbolising the role of religious minorities); a large white crescent and star are centred in the green field; the crescent, star, and colour green are traditional Islamic symbols.
The Magen David is a blue hexagram (six-pointed linear star) that represents Israel (Shield of David).
9. There are only two square national flags.
There are only two countries in the world with square flags. Switzerland and the Vatican City are the two.
10. The majority of the flags used at the London 2012 Olympic Games were manufactured in.... France!
Despite the undeniable success of the London 2012 Olympics, few people are aware that the Union Jacks and other national flags flying at Olympic venues were manufactured by a French company.
The real irony is that London and Paris were the final two cities from which the IOC chose.
If Paris had won the bid, would a British company have been awarded the contract to supply the flags? Postcard responses to....
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