More than just a colorful piece of cloth, each flag has a unique story to tell. In addition to signifying a specific nation, organization, or group, a flag represents identity, history, and culture. At Embassy Flag, Inc., we offer 56 flags for U.S. states and territories, 193 for countries that are members of the United Nations, and infinitely more, providing flags that reflect various cultures and religions across the world.
History of Flags
The earliest iteration of flags dates back to Ancient Roman times when military members carried a vexilloid, or an emblem-bearing staff, to identify their affiliations. Armies and warriors of the Middle Ages continued this trend, denoting their allegiances by bearing a flagpole or lance.
As countries began to centralize their militaries, various branches formed, often developing their own flags to distinguish themselves on the battlefield. Soldiers would even attempt to capture another side’s flag during wartime, though flag bearers stopped carrying them into battle as of World War I due to the level of danger involved.
In a practice stretching back centuries, ships also flew flags to display their country of origin or allegiance. For example, in the late 1400s, Christopher Columbus flew a flag during his transatlantic voyage.
In the time since, raising a flag has become entrenched in the traditions of countries across the world. Today, flags are a source of pride for many, standing as a unifying symbol of home.
World’s Most Popular Flags
Around the globe, countless flags exist to represent a region, culture, or organization. Embassy Flag offers an extensive selection of famous flags, including but not limited to:
- American flag. The American flag displays 50 stars on a blue background, representing the nation’s 50 states. The 13 red and white horizontal stripes reference the original 13 colonies. This beloved flag signifies loyalty, strength, and perseverance, and is often synonymous with freedom.
- United Kingdom flag. Also known as the Union Jack, this iconic red, white, and blue flag has represented British identity, pride, and unity for centuries. The flag’s design drew inspiration from historical flags of Scotland, England, and Ireland.
- Canada flag. While the Canadian flag with its vertical white and red bands and its red maple leaf is both highly recognizable and widely available, Embassy Flag also offers flags for all thirteen individual provinces and territories.
- Japan flag. With a minimalist design indicative of the country’s culture, the Japanese flag is white with a red circle — the circle of the sun — in the center representing the rising sun.
- China flag. The crimson Chinese flag has five gold stars in the left corner. While it shares its design with some other flags, it’s distinctive for its colors. In China, it signifies honor and respect.
- Brazil flag. The Brazilian flag stands for country pride and love. The green flag features a yellow diamond with a blue globe overtop. It contains 27 stars in white, as well as the words “Ordem e Progresso,” Brazil’s national motto.
- Switzerland flag. This well-known flag is red with a white cross in the center. Standing for freedom, loyalty, and honor, the Swiss flag inspires thoughts of peace.
- Germany flag. Three bands in the country’s national colors — black, red, and gold — stretch horizontally across this flag. First appearing in the mid-19th century, the colors of this flag symbolize unity and freedom as part of a republican democracy.
- Israel flag. The white and the top and bottom bands of blue on Israel’s flag are symbolic of the Jewish prayer shawl. Since 1948, the flag has been distinctive as it features the Star of David at its center.
- Ukraine flag. Recent events have made the blue and yellow flag of Ukraine highly recognizable. In use since 1992, the current horizontal flag’s two colors represent the sky and wheat.
- Religious flags. Embassy Flag also supplies religious flags for multiple faiths, including Christian, Jewish, Catholic/Papal, United Methodist, Episcopal, and Buddhist flags. We offer both indoor and outdoor options ranging in size from 3×5 to 5×8 feet. Various stands and flagpoles are available, as well as features like grommets, gold fringe, and religious ornamentation like Papal, Passion, and Botonee crosses as well as the Star of David.
Popular Flags by Embassy Flag
Whichever flag you consider to be the best flag in the world, Embassy Flag likely has it available and in multiple sizes. Since 2006, we’ve distributed an impressive range of state, country, territory, government, military, religious, commercial, nautical, motorsport, safety, and custom flags to clients both domestic and international. All the flags, flagpoles, and hardware we sell are Made in America, and most ship within 24 hours. Contact us to learn more about your flag options, or request a quote today.