Decorative Flags | ||||||||
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Tulips with Cat House Flag
| Fields of Gold Garden Flag
| Scarecrow Windsock
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Pan Fairy Wind Spinner
| Metal Rain Gauge Flag Holder
| Santa's Laundry Outdoor Banner
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Candy Cane Mailbox Cover
| Christmas Angel Door Banner
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Decorative Flags: History and UseIn the late fifteenth century, it became a custom for sailing ships to carry a flag denoting their country of origin. Over the next few hundred years it became a requirement by Maritime law. The national flag flown from the mast is known as an ensign while at sea. A ship would fly its own flag, and that of the country they were visiting. Commonly known as the courtesy flag, it’s one that is taken very seriously, since the lack of that second banner is often interpreted to mean the ship has no association (and perhaps no business) with any nearby country and may be spoiling for a fight. This is an interpretation that is still used in modern times. Flags became incredibly handy at sea. They told the next ship where they were from, where they were visiting, and with the aid of smaller, specifically patterned flags, there was communication between ships by semaphore. Signal flags strung along some of the rigging could spell out hundreds of messages, with each letter and number having their own particular pattern. Flown upside down, the flag told everyone that a ship was in trouble. Then we have the most famous maritime flag of all, the Jolly Roger. Who was Roger? Nobody knows that, either. Among the cited sources for the term are the English mangling of the Tamil name for Ali Raja, a pirate; a report in the early 18th century of a pirate ship flying a black flag with a skeleton which had been referred to as a Jolly Roger, or quite simply the Devil, often known as Old Roger. Why he was jolly, was a good question. Not all pirates flew the Jolly Roger, and in fact, the first ocean-going thieves often used red flags, which coincidentally is reportedly the origin of the red flag as a warning. Pirate ships would approach others under false flags, and at the last second, run the red one up the mast before boarding the other ship and killing the crew. The black flag, and more specifically a black pirate flag with various designs, did not make its appearance until sometime towards the end of the 17th century. Why did the design consist of a skull and crossbones? Well, they were fearsome fellows those pirates. Rough and sea ready and giving no quarter. Life was cheap, and since a ship was as good as its cargo, the crew was often heaved over the side if not slaughtered first. Their bloodthirsty reputation was seconded by the fearsome design that eventually became the classic concept of a pirate flag – the skull and crossbones. But while they invented the flag’s design, it’s thought that the symbolism dates back to Roman times. Their methods of burial in catacombs often left nothing but the long bones and skull after a few years, with time and small creatures taking care of the rest. Their durability came to be paired with mortality, and a skull and crossed bones were seen on everything from church gates to gravestones in later years. They were meant as a Memento Mori, or reminder of death. That suited the pirates just fine, since that’s just what they had planned for their victims anyway. When sailors discovered the world wasn’t flat, more communications between countries meant the sharing of symbols and ideas. By the Middle Ages, most of the larger nations had their own flags, or at least, the different regions/territories did. The growing use of flags generally followed a parent or founding country with many French colonies adopting vertical stripes, British colonies’ having horizontal ones and countries home to communism using red as a major part of the design. Other flags have universal meanings. A red flag means danger (look out for those pirates!); a yellow one meant there was a dangerous illness in a residence or town; white was for surrender, or a temporary truce; and in 1885, a red cross on a white background came to symbolize medical aid in battle. Thankfully, now that we know the world is round and planes have replaced warships and cannons, we’re free to fly the flags of our choice at home, and that means more than just the land of our birth. House and garden flags have become one of the most popular of outdoor décor accessories, not only for their color and variety, but for the ease with which you can decorate for any occasion or season, and change them when the whim strikes you. There are many styles of brackets that you can buy to fasten to the side of your house, garage, or even the fence. They can be adjusted for angle, and are generally constructed of material that will allow your to fly flags year round, no matter what the weather. House flags in general measure about 28 x 43 inches, with some styles that are quite a bit longer, designed for flying from the upper story of a house or business. Garden flags have caught on too. They provide a splash of color to be tucked amongst bushes or in a shaded corner where flowering plants refuse to grow. A line of them along the driveway or path also makes a colorful display, especially in Spring before things bloom, or winter when the world is either dull brown or all white. The average size is around 12 x 18 inches. These can be mounted on brackets that anchor easily in the lawn, or you can even get a wire and suction cup mounting that will allow you to move them indoors for hanging in a window where the sun will help spread their color. House and garden flags are great fun. You can coordinate them both, or choose different themes for the house and the lawn. Celebrate the changing seasons, holidays, or announce a special occasion. They never go out of style and are one of the most versatile outdoor décor accessories around! | ||||||||
House Flags
Garden Flags
Windsocks
Wind Spinners
Flag Holders
Outdoor Banners
Mailbox Covers
Door Banner Flags
Garden Flags
Windsocks
Wind Spinners
Flag Holders
Outdoor Banners
Mailbox Covers
Door Banner Flags
