FLAGS The colored pieces of cloth which we call flags are used as symbols. They have no meaning in themselves, but stand for something which is important to people. A national flag is a symbol of a country and the principles for which that country stands. Other flags may be symbols of kings, of colleges or universities, of military or naval units, or of religious, social, or fraternal organizations. The word flag comes from the Anglo-Saxon fleogan, meaning to float in the wind. Flags are also used for communication. Ships can send messages to each other by displaying a group of message flags from their masts. Soldiers, sailors, and Boy Scouts use signal flags to send code messages in a system called wigwag. The sender of the signals holds one flag in each hand at various angles from his body to represent the letters of the alphabet. Weather bureau u stations use a system of flag symbols to indicate weather forecasts.

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