A flag is a piece of woven cloth, often flown from a pole or mast, generally used symbolically for signaling or identification. The term flag is also used to refer to the graphic design employed by a flag, or to its depiction in another medium. The study of flags is known as vexillology, from the Latin vexillum meaning flag or banner.
The first flags were used to assist military coordination on battlefields and have evolved into a general tool for rudimentary signaling and identification, especially in environments where communication is similarly challenging. National flags are potent patriotic symbols with varied wide-ranging interpretations, often including strong military associations due to their original and ongoing military uses.
