Although we often forget that they're there, flags are just about everywhere in modern life.  They help our lives to run smoothly, they ensure that important messages are put across, and they even help us to follow the rules whilst playing sport.  Try spending a whole day counting the amount of flags and types of flags you see and you'll quickly realise just how important these scraps of fabric are to our modern society.

First of all, flags are used on a daily basis for communicating important messages.  In some countries flags are used at school crossings to inform motorists that school is just starting or just finishing, meaning that there will be many children about and therefore the motorists must slow down and proceed with care.  The railway flag system which is still in use in many nations all over the world.  This system of communication allows crossing guards and brake-men to share messages with the train drivers and engineers.  Another good example of this simple way of communicating a message is the flag-pole - if a flag, usually a national flag or royal standard - is flown at half-mast this usually denotes the passing of an important public figure.