Recent maps tagged a-flag-is-a-piece-of-fabric-most-often-rectangular-with-distinctive-colours-and-design-it-is-used-as-a-symbol-a-signalling-device-or-for-decoration-the-term-flag-is-also-used-to-refer-to-the-graphic-design-employed-and-flags-have-evolved-into-a-general-tool-for-rudimentary-signalling-and-identification-especially-in-environments-where-communication-is-challenging-such-as-the-maritime-environment-where-semaphore-is-used-many-flags-fall-into-groups-of-similar-designs-called-flag-families1-the-study-of-flags-is-known-as-vexillology-from-the-latin-vexillum-meaning-flag-or-banner-national-flags-are-patriotic-symbols-with-widely-varied-interpretations-that-often-include-strong-military-associations-because-of-their-original-and-ongoing-use-for-that-purpose-flags-are-also-used-in-messa