First flag

Although flag-like symbols have been used by ancient cultures for thousands of years, the origin of flags in the modern sense is a matter of dispute. Some believe flags originated in China, others held that the Roman Empire's vexillum was the first true flag.

(...) From the time of Christopher Columbus onwards, it has been customary (and later a legal requirement) for ships to carry flags designating their nationalities; these flags eventually evolved into the national flags and maritime flags of today. (From Wikipedia)

The world's oldest flag is the Shahdad Flag (I think I had posted a topic about it).

Flag of Shahdad, third millenium BC

I think this pic shows it:

That is in fact the flag of Marhashi Empire (4th & 3rd millennium BC) in the heart of Lut desert.

The famous Shahrak-e-Kotuluha (Little Peoples City) in Shahdad: http://gallery.netlog.net/albums/IR_shahdad/633_Shahdad_Shah rak_e_Kotuluha_little_people_city.jpg

Originally posted by Cyrus Shahmiri The world's oldest flag is the Shahdad Flag (I think I had posted a topic about it). Flag of Shahdad, third millenium BC

That is not cloth is it? What are we using as the definition of a flag? I think of it as a waving banner. I would consider this as just a standard, like the Romans used.


Edited by Belisarius

If that is the case, then this is probably the oldest flag.

What was the Shahdad Flag used for? Battle?

That is not a standard but the symbolic flag of Shahdad, each figure representing something:

1. Two twisted patterns on the top and bottom represent the two rivers in the east and the west of Shahdad.
2. As today, there were palm trees in the south and beautiful gardens in the north of Shahdad.
3. Two lions on the two sides of a cow with long horns show the two enemies of Shahdad.
4. And Shahdad itself is shown as a sitting goddess that some other women are protecting her.

While it may not be the first flag, the longest continuously used flag is supposedly the flag of Scotland.

Originally posted by Belisarius While it may not be the first flag, the longest continuously used flag is supposedly the flag of Scotland.

No, it only became a sort of national flag in the 16th century. St Andrews crossed flags in different colours (black or red fields instead of blue) had been used at some occasions for different purposes earlier. The Danish flag has been used and is unchanged since the early 13th century.


And yes, technically a flag is made of cloth or similar non-stiff material.

Edited by Styrbiorn