US Flag Colors

US Flag Colors - Meaning
The study of flags is called Vexillology and comes from the Latin word vexillum ("flag") and the Greek suffix -logy ("study"). The word "flag" is derived from the old Saxon word "fflaken" which means to fly or to float in the air. Flags have many symbolic items including their color, design, motifs and patterns. The US flag is of great symbolic importance and has changed many times over the years. Any person wishing to become a citizen of the United States of America is required to pledge allegiance to the national symbols of the American flag.

US Flag Colors - Description
The individual colors that make up the unites states flag represent the following:

• Red - Hardiness, Bravery, Strength & Valour

• White - Peace and honesty

• Blue - Vigilance, Truth and Loyalty, Perseverance & Justice

US Flag Colors- Color Symbolism
According to Ancient and Heraldic traditions there is a vast amount of symbolism associated with the color of a nations flag. The full development of heraldry in about 1200AD also brought sophisticated design of flags, some of which includes a Coat of Arms.

• A Yellow flag is the quarantine flag of all nations; also carried at a vessel's fore, to denote that an infectious
  disease is on board

• White flag - A white flag is a sign of truce and is carried or displayed to an enemy, as an invitation to conference, or for the purpose of making some communication not hostile

• National flag - A flag of a particular country, on which some national emblem or device, is emblazoned

• Red flag - A red flag is displayed as a signal of danger or token of defiance; the emblem of anarchists

US Flag Colors - Description of Flag
The United States Flag is:

• The background of the United States flag has thirteen equal horizontal stripes of red alternating with white stripes and in the upper hoist-side corner (canton) there is a blue rectangle bearing 50 small, white, five-pointed stars
  

• The 50 stars represent the 50 states of the USA
  

• The 13 stripes on the USA flag represent the 13 original colonies (known as Old Glory)
  

• The red stripes are situated at the top and bottom of the USA Flag
  

• The stars on the USA flag are arranged in nine offset horizontal rows of stars

  - six stars are displayed on the top and bottom rows
  - the rows of six stars alternate with rows of five stars

US Flag Colors - Definition
A flag is defined as a symbol or emblem usually consisting of a rectangular piece of cloth of distinctive design. Flags are also often used as a signalling device and method of communication. Government buildings are often decorated with flags. A cloth usually bearing a device or devices and used to indicate nationality, party, etc., or to give or ask information; commonly attached to a staff to be waved by the wind; a standard; a banner; an ensign; the colors; as, the national flag; a military or a naval flag.

US Flag Colors - Facts Signal flags are used for communication between ships at sea The red or bloody flag is a sign of mutiny A white flag symbolises a truce both at sea and on land! The pendant is a well known flag in times of war All Flag pictures show flags flying, from the viewer's point of view, from left to right The Study of the Flags is known as Vexillology The upper left quarter of the flag is known as the Canton A Flag share is the flag officer's share of prize money People with an interest in flags are called Vexillologists The Romans were the first to use a cloth flag - they were square and fastened to cross bars at the end of spears - the idea of fastening a flag to the side of a pole soon followed

• The shape and flag ratio of the US Flag is 1:2 (the length is twice the height)

• To dip the flag is the process of lowering and quickly restore it to its place is often done as a mark of respect

• The idea of flying a flag came from the requirements of ancient warfare in the battlefield

• When presenting a nations flag, the United Nations uses alphabetical order, this includes the US Flag. Their flag etiquette ensures that no one country's flag has precedence over another country's flag

• The US Flag should never be allowed to drag along the ground

• A tattered or faded US Flag should be removed and replaced with a new US Flag

• The US Flag should always be flown the correct way up, it is vital that due care and consideration is taken to ensure this

• The earliest United States flags had a variety of designs depicting 5 or 6 pointed stars and with stars arranged in rows or as a circle to represent union

• Elizabeth Griscom Ross is recognized for sewing the first American flag. Betsy Ross was a seamstress who often mended the clothes of George Washington. The 'Betsy Ross Flag' depicts the stars in a circle

• The first Stars and Stripes flag used by the Navy displayed the 13 stars, in alternating rows of three and two

Displaying the US Flag Colors- Did you know?

• The act or function of raising the US Flag, as on a rope is referred to as hoisting

• To denote grief and mourning, the US Flag is hoisted to half of the potential height of the flag pole , this is called flying the flag at Half Staff or Half Mast and is carried out by firstly raising the US Flag to the top, then lowering the US Flag halfway

• Flying a flag at half mast began in the 17th century as a naval custom. The top of the mast is left empty, the space left for the invisible flag of death. This custom is still used today as a public sign of mourning

• No disrespect should be shown to the US Flag Colors

• The US Flag should never be displayed, used, fastened or kept in such a way as to allow the Flag to be easily torn, soiled, or damaged in any way

• The US Flag should never have placed upon it, nor on any part of it, nor attached to it any mark, insignia, letter, word, figure, design, colors, picture, or drawing on the flag of any nature

Dream Definition - US Flag Colors
Seeing your national flag in your dream means peace and/or prosperity. Seeing a flag of a foreign nation indicates a breach of trust between friends.

US Flag Colors