What is Vexillology: The Science and Study of Flags

Flags hold a unique place in our hearts, capturing historical significance and cultural pride. Whether you’re a patriot or just curious, learning about flags can be incredibly intriguing. From the iconic 50-star American flag to the flag of the United Nations, each one tells a story. 

Did you know there's a field dedicated to the study of flags? It's called vexillology. But what exactly does a vexillologist do, and why is vexillology so important? We’ll answer these questions and more in today’s blog post. Stay tuned!

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What is Vexillology? 

Vexillology is the study of flags and their symbols. Vexillologists look at flags throughout history and today and examine how they're made, used, and designed and the reasons behind their existence. 

Basically, vexillology aims to understand the many diverse and important roles flags play in today's world. The word comes from Latin, specifically from “vexillum” which means “flag” or “banner.” Vexillology is largely based on the significance of colors and symbols, which we’ll dive into later. 

Why is Vexillology Important? 

Studying flags is important because it helps us better understand a nation's history. For example, when studying flags used in battles, historians can determine who won, especially when there are no written records. The colors chosen for a flag can also tell a story. For example, if a country was colonized and fought for independence, they might use red to symbolize the sacrifices made during the struggle. 

Flags like the American flag have symbols that represent aspects of our country. For example, the 50 white stars on our flag represent all 50 United States. Flags can also provide clues about a nation's economy. Some designs include symbols like farming or mining, for instance. 

Some flags even have religious symbols, often showing the dominant faith tradition within that country. Studying these symbols helps us understand religious diversity and its impact on a nation's culture, lifestyle, and laws. 

The Fascinating History of Vexillology 

Before vexillology became a distinct field of study, flags were studied as part of heraldry. Whitney Smith played an important role in establishing vexillology as a separate discipline. In 1961, he and Gerhard Grahl published the first journal dedicated to flags. 

Smith was also known for designing flags and helping design flags for different governments and organizations. He even contributed to designing the flag of Bonaire. 

Another famous vexillologist worth mentioning is Željko Heimer from Croatia, who received an award from The International Federation of Vexillological Associations (shared by only a few other successful vexillologists, like Whitney Smith). He is best known for illustrating almost 6,000 flags for the Flags of the World website, a famous Vexillology resource. 

The Significance of Colors and Symbols in Vexillology 

Vexillologists are interested in what a flag’s specific colors and symbols mean. To examine and determine the meaning behind a specific flag, vexillologists must question the flag’s appearance. Why, for example, is the flag of Mexico green, white, and red? Why is there an image of an eagle eating a snake in the center of the flag? 

A vexillologist would tell you that the eagle eating the snake represents Mexico’s Aztec history and is also the Mexican coat of arms. When it comes to this flag’s colors, green represents hope, white signifies purity, and red symbolizes religion.

Vexillologists also examine how flags change over time. Many flags change over time. For example, Rwanda's old flag had a big “R” in the center. It was replaced in 2001 with a new flag because the old one was associated with the tragic 1994 Rwandan genocide. 

The History and Development of Flags 

Needless to say, flags hold great importance for countries worldwide because of what they represent. The history of flags dates back to ancient times when they were used in battles to identify different armies. Notable designs, like the eagle used by Augustus Caesar's legion, were common back then. 

In the Middle Ages, flags became popular among knights. Communities like the Old Swiss Confederacy also used them as field signs. 

At sea, ships started flying their country's flags in the 17th century, which later became a legal requirement. Flags were also used for communication between ships. The Danish flag, dating back to the 13th century and officially adopted in 1625, is the world's oldest national flag. As of this writing, Mauritania was the most recent nation to choose its current flag design, doing so in 2017. 

The Most Common Flag Designs 

If you look at all of the flags in the world, you’ll notice that many flags are tri-color with three vertical or horizontal stripes in a different color. For instance, France's flag has blue, white, and red vertical sections, while Hungary's flag has red, white, and green horizontal bands. Scandinavian flags often include crosses in different colors, symbolizing Christianity. 

Several flags incorporate religious symbols, like crescents representing Islam on the flags of countries such as Turkey, Algeria, and Pakistan, or the Star of David on Israel’s flag. In Africa, many flags use green, red, black, and yellow to symbolize people, bloodshed, fertile land, and hopes for independence and peace. Examples include Uganda and the Republic of the Congo. Some flags display national coats of arms or shields, like Spain's flag. 

Although the United States flag is well known, its stars and stripes design is rather unique. While originally, there were only 13 stars in the canton, that number grew to 50 as the U.S. added more states. The changes in the design reflect the United States' journey from a small nation to a world superpower, undoubtedly making it one of the more intriguing flags to study. 

The Most Unusual Flag Designs 

When considering flag designs it is easy to see that some countries have chosen to get exceptionally creative. Nepal's flag stands out because it's not a regular quadrilateral like most flags. 

Instead, it's shaped like two triangles, called pennons, placed on top of each other. These triangles represent the Himalayan Mountains and the coexistence of Hinduism and Buddhism within the country. The sun and moon on the flag symbolize hope for Nepal's longevity. 

Switzerland and Vatican City are unique as well because they have square flags, unlike other countries, though many manufacturers make them rectangular for easier production. Bhutan's flag features a dragon called the Thunder Dragon, which represents the nation. Kenya's flag features a shield symbolizing the bravery of Masai warriors. The uniqueness of these flags is just another piece of the puzzle of vexillology. 

Explore Different Flag Designs From Carrot-Top Industries Today 

Every national flag is unique. Each one represents the historical struggles, values and identities, and future aspirations of a nation and its people. Experts in vexillology explore how flags change over time and use this knowledge to promote peace and diplomacy. The better we understand the history behind certain flags, the better we’ll be able to understand certain nations. 

If you’d like to learn more about flags and different flag designs, feel free to check out our wide selection of American flags, state flags, and international flags. You can even work with our top-notch designers to create a custom flag for your school or business. Shop now an experience the Carrot-Top difference.