Tag: us flag

Facts About the Flags of the World

~ Online Stores ~ Leave a comment

While every country has its own flag, these symbols of patriotism sure do bring up a lot of inquiries. From why certain symbols are chosen to what the colors of the flags mean, we’ll examine some interesting facts about the flags of the world.

Flags are national symbols. Every country decided on a specific flag as their national symbol. Before flags, certain groups of people used decorated spears and decorated staff which showed their cultural symbols. Later people used ribbons, leather, or silk decorations on the spears to differentiate their group from another group. Flags flown in the 18th century told others that this particular land belongs to them and that they rule over the people and land.

All cultures use certain symbols with are meaningful to them. Some symbols are even universal, as they have the same meaning all over the world. Here are the symbols that are most used in flags:

Sun: The circle of the sun symbolizes unity and energy. Japan is referred to be the “land of the rising sun” and uses the sun (simplified as a circle) in its national flag. Another country that uses this powerful symbol is Argentina.

Moon: The moon is usually displayed in crescent shape to distinguish it from the symbol of the sun. In combination with a star, the moon represents divinity. Tunisia’s flag has three powerful symbols in its national flag; the red crescent moon and one-star rest in a white circle representing the sun. Turkey and Singapore also use the moon as a symbol on their flag.

Stars: Constellations of stars often represent energy, especially when depicting the night sky or star constellation. The American flag is affectionately known as “Stars and Stripes”. Other countries using the stars as a symbol are Australia, New Zealand, and Brazil.

Cross: In ancient times, the cross only symbolized the different points of the compass. However, in the 4th century, the cross was also taken as the symbol of faith. Countries that use the cross symbol include England’s St. George Cross, Sweden, Norway, and Switzerland.

Triangle: The three points of a triangle represent the Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) in Christianity. The triangle often also symbolizes strength and power. Countries that use a triangle as a symbol are: Bahamas, Eritrea, Sudan, American Samoa, and others.

Square: The four even lengths of the square symbolize balance and equal opposites. The Swiss flag is the only square flag in the world.

White is the color most used in flags (at 17.7%), while red is second and in third place is yellow. Let’s go over what each color means.

White stands for peace and innocence. This is also the color of purity. It symbolizes light and perfection. In many countries, white is also associated with death (wave the white flag for surrender).

Red stands for love and emotion. It is the color of life, blood, and passion. It is also associated with power and danger. In China, the color red is associated with good luck.

Yellow stands for happiness and energy. It often symbolizes the sunshine. In China, yellow is considered to be the imperial color.

Blue stands for tranquility and calmness. It often symbolizes the water and the sky. The color is often associated with trust and loyalty, as well as with wisdom and harmony.

Green stands for freshness and fertility and is a symbol of nature and new growth. It also is associated with stability and safety.

Orange stands for joy, creativity, enthusiasm and even revolutionary ideas. As a combination of red and yellow, it is usually associated with strength, passion and activity.

Black stands for darkness and mystery. It is also associated with power and strength.

Purple stands for passion and wealth. The combination of red and blue is associated with luxury and elegance, but also with power and independence. Only a few countries use purple or violet in their flags: Nicaragua, the Second Republic of Spain, and Dominica.

United States Flag Store is here to answer all your questions. Feel free to give us a toll-free call at 1-877-734-2458 or email us at support@onlinestores.com.

Fun Facts About the American Flag

~ Online Stores ~ Leave a comment
  • The Flag Act of 1777 created the official flag for the new nation of United States of America. It stated, in part, that America’s flag “…be made of thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new Constellation.”
  • The design of the American flag, that inspired Francis Scott Key to write the poem that later became the Star-Spangled Banner, was of 15 stars and 15 stripes (to reflect the 1794 admissions of Kentucky and Vermont to the Union).
  • The colors of the flag have important meanings. Red symbolizes hardiness and valor, white symbolizes purity and innocence and blue represents vigilance, perseverance and justice.
  • There have been 27 official versions of the American Flag, the latest version is the longest to date.
  • The flag was first called “Old Glory” by a young sea captain named William Driver in 1824.
  • According to the U.S. Army Institute of Heraldry and the Flag Code, old versions of the flag never become obsolete. As long as a flag is still in good condition, it can be flown regardless of the number or arrangement of its stars.
  • There are 6 American Flags on the moon, although only 5 are still standing. The one that’s not? That would be the first one, planted by Neil Armstrong during the Apollo 11 mission.
  • If you like to study flags, then you are a Vexillologist.

August Flag Trivia

~ Online Stores ~ Leave a comment

Three States ceded into the Union in the month of August throughout our history. Missouri was the first on August 10, 1821. It was the 24th State and that brought our National Flag to 24 stars and its design was 3 rows of 6 stars with alternating red and white stripe. Then came Colorado on August 1, 1876. It was the 38th State and the 38 stared Flag was 5 rows of alternating 8 in a row and 6 in a row. On August 21, 1959 Hawaii became the 50th State to join the Union. The individual State Flags can be found on the United States Flag Store for a great low price.

Am flagOur 50 star Flag has a unique story that I would like to share because the adding of the 50th Star was done by a High School Senior. It was designed by Robert Heft, a 17 year old that was doing a history project. He took a 48 star Flag and measured out 100 stars on the blue section. Now this was back in 1959 and Alaska had just been admitted into the Union and this young man was pretty forward thinking. So he sewed the stars on with anticipation of Hawaii becoming a State. He turned his project in to his teacher Stanley Pratt. Well Pratt was not too impressed and Heft only received a B-. Heft, thinking ahead as usual argued his point that there would be 50 states in the future. Pratt told him if he could get Congress to accept his design he would change his grade to an A. Heft then sent the Flag to Congressman Walter Henry Moeller (Ohio) until we needed a 50 Star Flag. By August of 1959, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the proclamation to add Hawaii to the Union.

hawaii-sliderCongressman Moeller brought Heft’s Flag to the design committee where President Eisenhower himself choose Hefts’ design out of over 1500 others to choose from to become our National symbol. On July 4th, 1960, Bob Heft stood with President Eisenhower to watch the first 50 Star National Flag be raised. The 50 Star Flag has flown over the United States for 54 years now. What an accomplishment for a young man of only 17 years old. Mr. Heft passed away on December 12, 2009. You may hear Bob’s story in his own words on Story Corps at http://storycorps.org/listen/bob-heft/

Just to let you know Bob did finally get his “A” on his history project!

~Jacquie