Vexillology

Vexillology is the formal study of flags. This field looks at the history, symbolism, and usage of flags. It also covers any general interest in flags. People who study flags are called vexillologists. Those who design new flags are known as vexillographers. The art of designing these flags is called vexillography. If a person simply loves and admires flags, they are called a vexillophile.

To understand vexillology, one must look at its many parts. It is a field that uses academic work from several areas. It includes sociology, which is the study of human society. It also uses history to trace how flags change over time. Design is another major part of the discipline. The study also receives input from the flag industry. This makes it a mix of academic research and practical application.

Before vexillology became its own field, it was viewed differently. Historically, the study of flags was considered part of heraldry. Heraldry is the study of armorial bearings, or coats of arms. An American scholar named Whitney Smith changed this. He conceived the term "vexillology" in 1957. The word itself is a synthesis of two different languages. It combines the Latin word "vexillum" with a Greek suffix. A "vexillum" was a type of square flag used by Roman cavalry.

Whitney Smith helped turn this interest into a formal science. He published "The Flag Bulletin" in 1961 to formalize the field. Smith noted that flag usage goes back to the earliest human civilizations. However, he believed the serious study of flags was a recent development. He stated that the term did not appear in print until 1959. During his life, Smith organized many important groups. He helped create the North American Vexillological Association. He also helped found the International Federation of Vexillological Associations, known as FIAV.

Today, many organizations help manage the study of flags. The FIAV acts as an international umbrella organization. It includes several notable constituent organizations. These include the German Society for Flag Studies and Flags of the World (FOTW). Another member is the North American Vexillological Association. These groups allow experts to share their research globally.

One of the most important traditions is the International Congress of Vexillology (ICV). Since 1969, these congresses have been organized every two years. They take place under the auspices of the FIAV. At these meetings, experts present various papers. After the meetings, these papers are published as the Congress's Proceedings. This allows the findings of the ICV to be shared with the wider world. These meetings cover a wide range of interests in flags.

In some places, the study of flags is even part of the law. Scotland provides a very unique example of this. All Scottish flags must be authorized by a leader called Lord Lyon. Once authorized, they are recorded in the Public Register of All Arms and Bearings in Scotland. Lord Lyon even appointed Philip Tibbetts to a special role. Tibbetts serves as the Honorary Vexillologist to the Court of the Lord Lyon. This is a rare example of a dedicated, state-mandated vexillologist.

Vexillology connects many different ideas together. It links the visual design of an object to the history of a people. It also connects the industry of making flags to the academic study of their meaning. By studying flags, we learn how societies choose to represent themselves. Whether through a state-mandated role in Scotland or an international congress, flags remain a powerful way to study human culture.