flag

distinctive image used as a symbol, traditionally embodied as a piece of fabric

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Overview

A flag is a piece of fabric with distinctive colours and design, often flown from a pole and used for symbolic, signalling, or decorative purposes. The term flag is also used to refer to the graphic design employed on such pieces of fabric. The study of flags is known as "vexillology" from the Latin vexillum, meaning "flag" or "banner".

From Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Also known as flags

Notable quotes

“FLAG, n. A colored rag borne above troops and hoisted on forts and ships. It appears to serve the same purpose as certain signs that one sees and vacant lots in London -- "Rubbish may be shot here."”
— Ambrose Bierce, The Cynic's Dictionary (1906); republished as The Devil's Dictionary (1911).
“The flag, like the cross, is sacred. ... The rules and regulations relative to human attitude toward national standards use strong, expressive words, as, "Service to the Flag," ... "Reverence for the Flag," "Devotion to the Flag."”
— Encyclopedia Americana (1942), Volume 11, p. 316
“The flag still stands for freedom, and they can't take that away!”
— Lee Greenwood, "God Bless the USA"
“I have never seen anyone burn a flag. And if I did, it would take every ounce of restraint I had not to haul off and hit them.”
— Barack Obama, as quoted in "The Constitution, Designed to Change, Rarely Does" (4 December 2008), by Jennifer S. Forsyth, The Wall Street Journal
“Flags are bits of colored cloth that governments use first to shrink-wrap people's brains and then as ceremonial shrouds to bury the dead.”
— Arundhati Roy, Come September (29 Sep 2002)
“A star for every State, and a State for every star.”
— Robert C. Winthrop, address on Boston Common (1862).

Quotes via Wikiquote (CC BY-SA), each with its original source.

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