Why People Buy Flags
by John Nesbit on 2007-09-22
My name is John and I run http://www.Ultimateflags.com. Before the internet arose, I sold flags in a retail environment. I have always been fascinated on why people buy flags, and over the years I have heard every reason under the sun.
I am often asked by customers (who have their own reason for wanting a flag) why others buy flags.Certainly flags are bright and can add an aesthetic value to any area, however it’s much more than that. If you were walking along and saw some protesters in the street tearing up a bed sheet, then setting it on fire and stomping on it in protest, you'd probably laugh. However now imagine that this same bed sheet had ten cents worth of colored dye - red and blue. The red dye arranged in 13 stripes and the blue dye forming a blue field of stars in the corner. Now this bed sheet (plus its ten cents in coloring) is something entirely new.
In fact, now that it’s a flag, many people would fight and maybe die to protect it. This common item has been transformed from worthless cloth into the flag representing the United States and all that flag stands for.
Clearly it’s not the cloth and coloring, but the symbols and significance of the flags that give them their emotional power. It’s because our society has defined what these flags mean – honor, sacrifice of those who came before us, freedom – and a million other concepts. One for each person. That is what gives them their power.Flags can illicit all kinds of powerful human emotions.
For example, the flag of an enemy country flying above your town can invoke fierce anger. A pirate flag unfurled on the high seas induced terror in the hearts of sailors for several centuries. And what is the last item given to a grieving widow of a fallen serviceman? The carefully folded flag that covered the sacred coffin. Flags can also invoke positive emotions such as patriotism and unity and even healing.
In the days and weeks following September 11, 2001 the demand for US Flags was so great that manufacturers all over the world stopped making their own national flags in order to churn out Old Glory around the clock. Politicians love flags because they convey an instant message and an instant association.
Most politicians ground themselves heavily in their national symbols as a way of relating to the wider populace. By clothing themselves in the national flag, even the dingiest politician can see patriotic. Flags can also demonstrate solidarity. Missionary Churches will often display the flags of the countries they are working in. These flags are meant to cross language and cultural barriers and demonstrate a common bond with the local population.
Of course there are lighter reasons for buying a flag. I’ve sold more than a few to love struck people hoping to catch the attention of that special someone by flying the flag of their targets homeland.
Living in the United States the is always a strong immigrant influence in some area where the flag represents not the country of origin, but rather the community within the United States. And of course there is the chuckle you get when passing a house displaying a fresh “It’s a girl!” flag out front.
Even the Earth has its own flag (Earth Flag) that is based on one of the first photographs from space showing clearly our entire planet in one frame. Personally I find it interesting that every culture ever to arise on planet Earth has created for itself a flag or banner that represents it.
Flags help define who we are, what group we are in and more important what is important to us. It is with this point of view that I proudly invite you to get a flag today and fly it proudly.
Ultimate Flags
Online Flag Store
This article may be reprinted freely as long as links and authorship credit remain intact.
I am often asked by customers (who have their own reason for wanting a flag) why others buy flags.Certainly flags are bright and can add an aesthetic value to any area, however it’s much more than that. If you were walking along and saw some protesters in the street tearing up a bed sheet, then setting it on fire and stomping on it in protest, you'd probably laugh. However now imagine that this same bed sheet had ten cents worth of colored dye - red and blue. The red dye arranged in 13 stripes and the blue dye forming a blue field of stars in the corner. Now this bed sheet (plus its ten cents in coloring) is something entirely new.
In fact, now that it’s a flag, many people would fight and maybe die to protect it. This common item has been transformed from worthless cloth into the flag representing the United States and all that flag stands for.
Clearly it’s not the cloth and coloring, but the symbols and significance of the flags that give them their emotional power. It’s because our society has defined what these flags mean – honor, sacrifice of those who came before us, freedom – and a million other concepts. One for each person. That is what gives them their power.Flags can illicit all kinds of powerful human emotions.
For example, the flag of an enemy country flying above your town can invoke fierce anger. A pirate flag unfurled on the high seas induced terror in the hearts of sailors for several centuries. And what is the last item given to a grieving widow of a fallen serviceman? The carefully folded flag that covered the sacred coffin. Flags can also invoke positive emotions such as patriotism and unity and even healing.
In the days and weeks following September 11, 2001 the demand for US Flags was so great that manufacturers all over the world stopped making their own national flags in order to churn out Old Glory around the clock. Politicians love flags because they convey an instant message and an instant association.
Most politicians ground themselves heavily in their national symbols as a way of relating to the wider populace. By clothing themselves in the national flag, even the dingiest politician can see patriotic. Flags can also demonstrate solidarity. Missionary Churches will often display the flags of the countries they are working in. These flags are meant to cross language and cultural barriers and demonstrate a common bond with the local population.
Of course there are lighter reasons for buying a flag. I’ve sold more than a few to love struck people hoping to catch the attention of that special someone by flying the flag of their targets homeland.
Living in the United States the is always a strong immigrant influence in some area where the flag represents not the country of origin, but rather the community within the United States. And of course there is the chuckle you get when passing a house displaying a fresh “It’s a girl!” flag out front.
Even the Earth has its own flag (Earth Flag) that is based on one of the first photographs from space showing clearly our entire planet in one frame. Personally I find it interesting that every culture ever to arise on planet Earth has created for itself a flag or banner that represents it.
Flags help define who we are, what group we are in and more important what is important to us. It is with this point of view that I proudly invite you to get a flag today and fly it proudly.
Ultimate Flags
Online Flag Store
This article may be reprinted freely as long as links and authorship credit remain intact.
About The Author: John Nesbit, owner, www.Ultimateflags.comThe original Online Flag store. Authentic, beautiful flags at discount prices. Wholesale and retail. This weeks special: Buy 2 flags, get your 3rd flag free. Visit today.