Banner

A banner is a piece of cloth used to display a symbol, logo, slogan, or message. It serves as a visual tool to communicate specific information to a group of people. Banners can be mounted in many ways to ensure they are seen. They might hang from vertical or horizontal flagpoles or be stretched between two poles. Some are attached directly to windows and buildings. In certain cases, banners are even towed behind aircraft through the sky.

The mechanics of banner construction vary depending on their intended use. Advertising banners are often made of vinyl or fabric. These are frequently produced using ultra-wide format inkjet printers. These printers use solvent inks or ultraviolet-curable inks to create bright, durable designs. To prevent the wind from tearing the material, manufacturers often install grommets. A grommet is a metal ring, often made of aluminum, punched into the cloth. These rings allow the banner to be tied securely to a fixture. Some banners are also designed as retractable displays for easy movement.

Banners can be categorized into several distinct types based on their purpose. Heraldic banners, also called banners of arms, display the design found on a coat of arms shield. Unlike a full armorial achievement, a heraldic banner omits the crest, helmet, and motto. These are typically square or rectangular in shape. In religious settings, banners may portray a specific saint. In the world of sports, fans use banners to display team colors, nicknames, or logos. In China, large red banners called da zi bao are used for motivational messages. These often feature large Chinese characters on a bright red background.

The history of the banner reaches back to ancient times and different languages. The word itself derives from the Old French baniere and Late Latin bandum. This term was borrowed from a Germanic source. In the ancient Roman army, units used a military standard known as a vexillum. The word vexillum is a diminutive of the Latin velum, which means a sail. Historical evidence from coins and sculptures suggests these were literally "little sails." Unlike modern flags, the cloth in a vexillum draped from a horizontal crossbar. This crossbar was then suspended from a vertical staff.

In the context of labor history, banners have held great significance for trade unions. In Australia, unionists used banners with pride during annual Eight Hour Day marches. These parades advocated for specific balances of work, recreation, and rest. In Sydney, thousands of unionists from up to seventy different unions once marched behind their trade emblems. Many of these historical banners have not survived, but some remain in collections. The Labour Council of NSW holds a large collection at Sydney Trades Hall. The State Library of NSW also holds pieces donated in the 1970s.

One notable example is a banner from the Federated Society of Boilermakers, Iron & Steel Shipbuilders of Australia. This canvas banner was painted by the Sydney firm Althouse & Geiger. The company was founded in 1875 and still operates today. The banner features a kneeling figure surrounded by decorative scroll work. It includes images of a New South Wales Government Railways 34 class steam locomotive and the Hawkesbury River rail bridge. The bridge was built in 1889. The reverse side of the banner even depicts the warship Australia at sea.

Banners also play a massive role in modern sports culture and digital media. In North American professional sports, a championship ceremony is called "raising the banner." This occurs just before the first home game of a new season. Some sports banners reach incredible sizes. Supporters in Uruguay created a banner measuring 600 by 50 meters. This massive cloth weighs over 2 tonnes. In the digital age, the concept has evolved into "banner ads." These are advertisements on websites that contain hyperlinks. Even music streaming services like Spotify use audio advertisements that function similarly to these visual banners.