Each and every country around the world has its own national flag, something that is immediately recognized by the country’s population as a symbol of their homeland.

There are estimated to be around 230 national flags around the world, but as countries develop and change their names and / or boundaries, this figure fluctuates.

There is obviously a plethora of different designs, colours and content when it comes to national flags, with some being a lot more intricate in design than others.

Yet although flags seem to have represented countries for centuries, the concept of countries having their own national flags is relatively new – the 19th and early part of the 20th century is often seen as the most popular time for the development to have taken place.

While most will be able to identify a number of national flags, not many will be aware of where the actual design and context of the flag derives from, with the following information taking a look at the history of some of the world’s most recognizable national flags.

United Kingdom

Image: Iker Merodio (Flickr)

Image: Georgie R (Flickr)

The flag that represents the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland is, as the name suggests, a union of flags.

Known as the ‘Union Jack’ (a term coming from the fact that the maritime bow flag was often called ‘Jack’), it consists of the flags of St George (England), St Andrew (Scotland) and St Patrick (Ireland), which when blended together make the flag that has become instantly recognizable since its official inception in 1801.

While Wales is today a separate country, it was in union with England at the time of the flag’s development and therefore was – and still is – included under the banner of the English section of the flag.

Although the flag appears to be completely symmetrical, contrary to popular belief, it can actually be mistakenly flown upside down, as has been seen on several occasions. This is due to the effect known as counter-changing, which means that the flag does not have reflective symmetry, with the second image showing it being flown incorrectly.

United States Of America

Image: manupuia (Flickr)

Image: Neil A. Armstrong / NASA (Wikipedia)

One of the most iconic flags in history, the national flag of the United States of America is known by several different names, including ‘Old Glory’, ‘Stars and Stripes’ and ‘The Star Spangled Banner’.

Instantly recognizable, due largely to its 13 horizontal stripes beginning and ending in red and alternating with white and the 50 stars, while most know that the latter depict the 50 states of America, not many know that the 13 horizontal stripes represent the 13 rebellious British colonies that became the initial states within the union that is today known as the United States of America.

Japan

Image: caribb (fotopedia)

Image: SunKING1791 (Flickr)

The exact origin and age of this flag, which is known officially as ‘Nisshoki’ (‘sun-mark flag’), but more commonly as ‘Hinomaru’ (meaning ‘disc of sun’ or ‘circle of sun’), are unclear.

Like the national flag of the United States of America, the Japanese flag is instantly recognizable due to its very simple design of a red circle on a white background, representing the rising sun.

What’s particularly interesting about the Japanese national flag is that while it is iconic, it has only officially been the country’s national flag since 1999 (although it has been in use for decades prior to this and in variations for centuries) and there is a popular variant, which sees 16 red ‘rays’ shining from the sun on the flag, used historically by the Imperial Japanese Army.

South Africa

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Image: bobbychuck24 (Flickr)

The national flag of South Africa has the distinction of being the only one in the world that has six different colours (black, gold, green, white, chilli red and blue), as well not having a seal or motif.

Like Japan, it is only relatively new in terms of its official use, having been adopted as a national flag in 1994 to signify a new democratic movement when Nelson Mandela became president of the country.

While there is no official representation of the flag’s colours or design, the most common belief is that the ‘Y’ shape represents the coming together of the country’s richly diverse society and new found move towards unity, the red is taken from the Dutch flag (prominent in South Africa’s history), blue and white from previous flags in the country (again, the Dutch flag, as well as the old South African flag) and the black, green and yellow were all colours found on Nelson Mandela’s ANC’s (his political party) flag.

Turkey

Image: Alex & Naz (Flickr)

Image: CyberMacs (Flickr)

Arguably one of the world’s most coveted flags when it comes to a country’s patriotism, the Turkish national flag of a red background with a white crescent moon and star is adored by many Turks.

Officially adopted in 1936, although having been in use since 1844, the moon and star symbolize the sky worshipping ancient Turks and the red and white colours are taken from the flag of the Oghuzes, a group of Turks who are credited with the development and formation of modern day Turkey.

What is particularly interesting about the Turkish flag is that it has a number of unofficial explanations surrounding its initial, historical development, including there being a star and crescent on the chest of the first Ottoman Emperor before he successfully took control of Constantinople, while others refer to the connection between Diana, the goddess of Byzantium and the moon and later the Virgin Mary with the star.