AY Honors/Flags/Answer Key

Note

This honor has been approved by the NAD, but belongs to a category which has not yet been officially adopted. As such, no Honor token is yet available.

1. Describe what a flag is and list three uses of flags.

A flag is a piece of material with a distinctive design that is usually rectangular and used as a symbol, as a signaling device, or decoration attached on one edge to a pole or rope.

2. Know and locate the following parts of a flag:

a. Canton

Where the feature is used, the upper area of the flag by the flagstaff, or a flag with a design featured in the canton area. The blue area with stars on the US flag is the canton, but there is no canton on the Canadian flag.

b. Field

The field is the background color of the flag, the area between the hoist and fly ends.

c. Finial

Staff ornament found on a flagpole, whether on a fixed pole - such as at a school - or a pole designed to carry the flag in a parade. According to the Unites States Flag Code there is no guideline regarding finials:

The Flag Code is silent as to ornaments (finials) for flagstaffs. We know of no law or regulation which restricts the use of a finial on the staff. The eagle finial is used not only by the President, the Vice-President, and many other federal agencies, but also by many civilian organizations and private citizens. The selection of the type finial used is a matter of preference of the individual or organization. Most commonly, an Eagle is used as the finial on the American flag.

d. Flagstaff

In general when a flag is flown outdoors it flies from a flagpole, mast or flagstaff.

e. Fly

The fly is the part of the flag that is the farthest from the flagstaff.

f. Fly end

The fly end is the part of the flag that flaps in the wind and sometimes becomes frayed.

g. Halyard

A halyard is a rope or cable used to raise and lower a flag on a flagpole.

h. Hoist side

The part of the flag that is nearest the flagstaff. Also hoist is used to describe the height of flag while flying and the act of raising a flag.

i. Truck

The ball on top of the flagpole.

3. Know three important guidelines for the care and handling of your national flag.

While some specific handing instructions differ somewhat between countries, the following is nearly universally true:

1. The national flag should be flown above any other flags
2. The national flag should never touch the ground
3. Respect should be shown the flag - including saluting the flag
4. Tattered flags should not be displayed or flown but should be privately disposed of, preferably by burning

4. Learn how to and practice folding your national flag.

The procedure for folding the national flag varies by country. if your country and flag ar e not listed here, please feel free to research it and add it to the list.

Canada

There is no recommended procedure for folding Canadian flags except the general idea of showing respect and not putting the flag on the ground. Canadians do not use the American procedure resulting in a triangle at all.

6. Draw the Pathfinder flag with emblem.

c. Know the meaning of the emblem.

Meaning of the Pathfinder Club Emblem

Red (Sacrifice)

Reminds us of Christ. "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16) "Present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God" (Rom. 12: 1). Three sides

Completeness of the Trinity -- Father, Son, Holy Spirit. Tripod of education: Mental Crafts and Honors Physical Campouts, work bee, health focus Spiritual Outreach and personal spiritual development. Gold (Excellence)

"I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich" (Rev. 3:18). Standard of measurement. The Pathfinder Club has high standards to help build strong character for the kingdom of heaven. Shield (Protection)

In the Scripture God is often called the shield of His people.(Protection) "Fear not ... I am thy shield" (Gen. 15:1) "Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked." (Eph. 6:16) White (Purity)

"He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment" (Rev. 3:5). We desire to have the purity and righteousness of Christ's life in our lives. Blue (Loyalty)

It is the purpose of the Pathfinder Club to help teach us to be loyal to: Our God in heaven. Our parents. Our church Loyalty is defined as a reflection of the character of our True Master Guide. Sword (Bible)

The sword is used in warfare. A battle is always won by offense. We are in a battle against sin, and our weapon is the Word of God. The sword of the Spirit is the Word of God. (see Eph. 6:17) Inverted Triangle

The inverted order of importance Jesus taught which is contrary to that taught by the world. Sacrificing of one's self by placing the needs of others ahead of our own. Pathfinder Club

The Pathfinder Club is one of the organizations of the world youth ministry of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

7. Draw the Christian Flag.

Christian Flag

a. Explain what the colors represent.

The flag has a white field, with a red Latin cross inside a blue canton. The shade of red on the cross symbolizes the blood Jesus shed on Calvary. The blue represents the waters of baptism as well as the faithfulness of Jesus. The white represents Jesus' purity. In conventional vexillology, a white flag is linked to surrender, a reference to the Biblical description of Jesus' non-violence and surrender. The dimensions of the flag and canton have no official specifications.

b. Know what the emblem represents.

The cross represents Christ's death so that we can live forever. The cross is an instantly recognizable symbol of Christianity.

9. Learn and share with your group the history of your country/island’s flag and what the colors and symbols on it represent.

Canada

Canadian Heritage is responsible for flag promotion and protocol. Explore their page here for everything you need to know about the Maple Leaf.

Other Countries

If your country is not listed here, please research and add the info here. The history of national flags is easy to find online.

10. Identify the flags of your Division and know what countries they represent.

The Adventist Church has divided the world into 13 administrative districts it calls Divisions.

The North American Division comprises 7 countries and 4 territories:

• Bermuda

The current Bermuda flag was adopted in the 1960s. As a British overseas territory, Bermuda's flag features the United Kingdom flag upper left. The green and white badge displays a red lion holding a shield that symbolizes the sinking of the Sea Venture about one mile off the coastline of Bermuda in the summer of 1609. The ship was caught in a hurricane, and subsequently struck a reef.

• Canada

The flag of Canada was officially adopted on February 15, 1965. The Canadian Red Ensign, bearing the Union Jack and the shield of the royal arms of Canada, was lowered and then, on the stroke of noon, the new maple leaf flag was raised. The crowd sang the national anthem O Canada, followed by the royal anthem, God Save the Queen.

The following words, spoken on that momentous day by the Honourable Maurice Bourget, Speaker of the Senate, added further symbolic meaning to the flag: "The flag is the symbol of the nation's unity, for it, beyond any doubt, represents all the citizens of Canada without distinction of race, language, belief or opinion." The stylish red maple leaf has been the national symbol of Canada for over 150 years. Red and white are the official colors of Canada, proclaimed by King George V in 1921.

• St.Pierre and Miquelon (French islands close to Newfoundland with no Adventist presence)

Saint Pierre and Miquelon are a self-governing territory of France. The stylish flag features a red sailing ship on a blue field. The three-part verticle band on the left side displays the heraldic arms of local settlements established by French colonists from the Basque Country (top), Brittany (center), and Normandy (bottom).

• United States (excluding Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands which are in IAD)

The flag of the United States features thirteen equal horizontal stripes of red (top and bottom) alternating with white; there is a blue rectangle in the upper hoist-side corner bearing 50 small, white, five-pointed stars arranged in nine offset horizontal rows of six stars (top and bottom) alternating with rows of five stars; the 50 stars represent the 50 states; the 13 stripes the 13 original colonies. The flag is known as Old Glory, and no one knows for certain who designed it. Most historians believe that U.S. Congressman, Francis Hopkinson was the original designer, while a few still believe that Betsy Ross, a Philadelphia seamstress, made the first one.

• US Pacific territories of Guam, Northern Marianas, and Wake Island

• Palau

• The Marshall Islands

• The Federated States of Micronesia.

(these last three countries are in free association with the United States and with the three US Pacific territories form the Guam-Micronesia Mission)

You can see a list of countries associated with the other Divisions and attached regions here. http://www.adventist.org/world-church/world-divisions/index.html

References

• Wikipedia - Flags
• http://www.flaginstitute.org/pdfs/Flying_Flags_in_the_United_Kingdom.pdf. All UK specific answers here and other general info.