Welcome to You Ask Andy

Sean Bashore, age 14, of Dodge City, Kan., for his question:

WHICH COUNTRY HAD THE FIRST FLAG?

Ancient Egyptians flew flag like symbols many thousands of years ago and get the credit for having the first national flag. Their flags were actually used to honor the gods and looked like streamers. They were tied to the tops of long poles.

Today almost all of the world's national flags use one or more of seven basic colors: red, white, blue, green, yellow, black and orange. These colors derive from the flags of heraldry, a system of designs that were used in Europe during the Middle Ages.

Many symbols used in flags today go back thousands of years. Israel's Star of David design, as an example, was an ancient symbol of the Jews.

The cross, which is a symbol of Christianity, is used on the flags of many Christian nations, while the crescent and star are used as symbols of peace and life in the flags of many Moslem countries. Stars used in some flags are said to stand for unity.

Denmark has used the same national flag longer than any other country in the world, 770 years. The Danish King Valdemar the victorious saw a white cross in the red sky just before he won an ancient battle and ordered a flag made with a white cross on a field of red.

Although the Australian flag was adopted just 70 years ago, it is said to date back to a design used during the Third Crusade in the year 1191.

The study, history and symbolism of flags is called vexillology. The name comes from the Latin word vexillum, meaning a square flag or banner. Soldiers of ancient Rome carried square military flags that hung from crossbars fastened to staffs.

In olden days, flags were carried into battle. Generals watched the flags to see where their men were, and the flags also showed which way the wind was blowing so that soldiers could better aim their arrows.

An early English flag belonged to William the Conqueror and it first flew in England in 1066.

King Richard I came along in 1195 with a royal standard that pictured three yellow lions on a field of red.

Crusaders during the Middle Ages used flags showing plain white crosses on fields of solid red.

The most popular name for the red, white and blue national flag of the United States is the Stars and Stripes. It has 50 white stars in a field of blue, representing the nation's 50 states. Seven red stripes and six white stripes represent the original 13 colonies.

Many people have also called the U.S. flag the Star Spangled Banner and Old Glory.

 

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