Flags Come in All Shapes and Sizes!

Flags, while typically envisioned as rectangular pieces of cloth, actually come in a surprising array of shapes and sizes depending on their purpose and cultural origin. While most national flags are a common rectangle, exceptions exist, such as the unique swallowtail design found on many Scandinavian military and naval flags, or the distinctively non-quadrilateral shape of the flag of Nepal, which is the only national flag that is not a square or rectangle. Beyond these, historical flags have varied wildly, from the pennants and streamers used on medieval ships to the square banners of Swiss cantons. The shape itself often carries historical significance, breaking the standard mold to represent unique traditions or national identity.

The size of flags is equally diverse and dictated heavily by function and tradition. Ceremonial flags, like the massive garrison flags sometimes flown at military installations on special holidays, can be enormous, requiring significant effort to raise and lower. In contrast, signal pennants used in maritime communication are often small and quickly hoistable. Even standard national flags have prescribed sizes relative to the height of the flagpole on which they are flown to ensure they are displayed correctly and proportionately. This vast spectrum of dimensions highlights how deeply flags are integrated into practical usage, with size being a crucial factor in their design and deployment.