The history of Flags dates back over 4000 years ago (you can see them on Egyptian and Greek Tomb carvings).
The first type of Flags were wooden or metal poles with a unique carving at the top of the pole. About 2000 years later fabrics/materials were added and these looked more like our Flags we see today.
Flags are pieces of coloured fabrics/materials that are used to relay information (example long ago Knights covered in armour used flags and designs to show Friend from Foe!). Flags are used as symbols and signals we all know red means danger! White means truce or peace! Black means mourning (Flags are flown at “half-mast” to honour the dead and draped over the coffins of national heroes).
Today many Countries, Organizations, Groups and even People have their own Flags which have a unique purpose and meaning.
The Flag most well known is the British Union Flag (but do you know the correct way up to fly it?) Vexillology is the scientific study of Flags. This is from the Latin word which means “guide”. The first type of flag was called a Vexilloid.
Also sometimes an interesting decoration at the tip of the Flag pole is added. This is called a finial.

Flown at Half-mast when:
(1) Death of The Sovereign
(2) Funerals of Members of The Royal Family*
(3) Funerals of Prime Ministers and Ex-Prime Ministers
(4) Funerals of Foreign Rulers*
(5) Other Occasions*
*Subject to Special Commands by Her Majesty.