Introduction

Worldwide, flags take an important place in symbols of solidarity between people living mutually under a nation, a city, an organisation, or a company – a symbol of recognition. Flags symbolise identity. They have often played an important role in the history of peoples. They are a visible sign of independence and authority and an emblem of nationalism. As such, the Dutch flag was one of the first of the ‘revolutionary’ banners.

Before diving into the particulars of the use of flags, it is important to outline the long-standing history of the flag and the study of flags that goes along with it. The study of flags is known as vexillology.

Vexillology is the ‘scientific study of the history, symbolism and usage of flags or, by extension, any interest in flags in general.’ The word is a synthesis of the Latin word vexillum (flag), which referred to the standards used by Roman legions, and the Greek suffix -logia (study).

Vexillology concerns itself with everything to do with flags, banners, standards, and pennants. In earlier times, people understood intuitively that they needed to mark out the territory belonging to them or their tribe in a particular way in order to indicate to others that they could not enter that territory without permission. Certain symbols were used to indicate this, such as the skulls of animals or painted animal hides. In warfare, when men fought with bows and arrows and spears, it was understood that using a symbol of recognition was a good way to prevent accidentally attacking friendly warriors. These men carried heraldic symbols as well as weapons on their shields and armour, but it soon became clear that it was also important to make the commander's position on the battlefield readily visible. Initially, these commanders used the aforementioned skulls, ponytails, and religious symbols for this purpose. Later, coats of arms were used for this. The Romans were in fact the first to carry a flag as demonstration of their military power. Every division of the Roman army had its own pole with a metal (often bronze) eagle affixed to the top of it. Often, as additional ornamentation, coloured ribbons or a single-coloured cloth without an emblem would be hung from a cross-post. This standard was called a vexillum. The only remaining Roman vexillum, from the third century BC, currently hangs in the Pushkin Museum in Russia.