The National Symbol
c740 BC
-740 -740
12.28E41.55N
MISC

ROME, ITALY
	Flags are usually made of brightly colored weatherproof fabric and are intended to be symbolic of the nature of a country. They have often had this romantic nature, but not always. In the early days of Rome, for example, the army marched behind a handful of hay tied to the top of a pole.
	Flags and similar emblems mounted on poles have been known throughout the world for thousands of years and have often had religious symbolism.
	For example, the Union Jack of Great Britain combines the crosses of St. George, St. Andrew and St. Patrick. And, according to an ancient story, the cross emblem on the flag of Denmark was adopted after King Waldemar saw a cross in the sky in 1219 as he was leading his troops.
	Also of religious significance are the flags of many Islamic countries, which often feature the color green or a crescent moon, both symbols of Islam.
	The United States flag, however, does not have a religious emphasis, but depicts the 13 original colonies with red and white stripes, and the states by the number of stars in the blue field.
	Nor does the flag of the Soviet Union have a religious emphasis. This once officially atheistic nation has a flag with a hammer and sickle emblem that represents the craftsman and farmer, and a five-pointed star representing the five continents that the Soviet Union hoped would embrace communism.
	Perhaps the simplest of the world's flags is Libya's. It is just a green rectangle.
	One of the most unusual belongs to Nepal. It is the only non-rectangular national flag, being made up instead of two triangles adorned with pictures of the sun and moon, symbolizing the hope that Nepal will endure as long as they do.