In vexillology, a state flag is either the flag of the government of a sovereign state, or the flag of an individual federated state.
The state flag of Peru
The state flag of Massachusetts on display in the Financial District of Boston, Massachusetts, United States.
A flag is a piece of fabric with a distinctive design and colours. It is used as a symbol, a signalling device, or for decoration. The term flag is also used to refer to the graphic design employed, and flags have evolved into a general tool for rudimentary signalling and identification, especially in environments where communication is challenging. Many flags fall into groups of similar designs called flag families. The study of flags is known as "vexillology" from the Latin vexillum, meaning "flag" or "banner".
United Nations members' national flags
Setting up a flag could also possess the meaning of conquering something. Jaan Künnap with the flag of Estonia at the top of Lenin Peak (7,134 m [23,406 feet]) in 1989.
Bronze flag Derafsh Shahdad found in Shahdad, Iran, third millennium BC
Sujagi of Eo Jae-yeon, captured in 1871