Countries, cities, military  units, and other groups  fly flags to represent  themselves. These banners  wave in the wind so that  people can identify them  from far away.  What state are we in? Look at that yellow and red flag. We must be in New Mexico.

2. Use meaningful symbolism.

3. Use two or three basic colors.

5. Be different or be related.

4. Don’t use lettering or words.

1. Keep it simple.

Want to design a flag for your family, a club, or your town? Here are a few guidelines from flag expert Ted Kaye. Click on the flags to learn more.

Wales

South Africa

These are helpful guidelines. But some great flags do break these rules. Look at the flags of Wales and South Africa. 

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Here’s another tip.  Try drawing your  flag on a one by  one-and-a-half inch rectangle. That’s what  a flag on a pole about  100 feet away looks  like, says Mr. Kaye.  If your design looks good  in that little rectangle,  it will probably look  good in real life too.

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1. Keep it simple.  Want people to  use your flag?  Make it easy to  draw. Don’t put  too many details  on it. The flag of  Milwaukee,  Wisconsin, is full  of symbols. It is  very complicated.

2. Use meaningful symbolism. What shapes, colors, or images can represent your family or town? Look at Japan’s flag. That country’s nickname is “the land of the rising Sun.” Is your last name Fox? Try using orange and black. Is your town known for its orchards? Maybe you’d like to put an apple on your flag.

3. Use two or three basic colors. Too many colors on  one flag can look messy.  The most common flag colors  are red, blue, green, black,  yellow, and white. Dominica’s  flag uses seven colors. The  colors often have meaning.  Blue can represent justice,  water, or the sky. Red can  mean bravery or blood.

4. Don’t use lettering or words. The flag of Michigan has three Latin mottos on it! But those are too hard to read when the flag is flying. And people should be able to recognize your flag without a label. 

5. Be different or be related. You don’t want to copy someone else’s flag. But you might want to show connections. Liberia’s flag has red and white stripes and a star, similar to the United States’ flag. That’s because that African country was founded by formerly enslaved people from the United States.