About

Professional vexillology requires identifying nations not just by name, but by the strict geometric and chromatic rules that define their symbols. This tool is engineered for precision, serving diplomats, designers, and geographers who need to distinguish between similar entities (e.g., Chad vs. Romania) based on specific attributes like Aspect Ratio and Color Hex Values.

Unlike basic galleries, this engine utilizes a boolean filtering system. It allows the intersection of multiple datasets: Color ∩ Geometry ∩ Region. It also includes a persistence layer to save your research state and a high-performance rendering engine capable of handling global datasets without layout shifts.

Formulas

Accurate flag reproduction depends on the Aspect Ratio (AR). This is the relationship between the width (w) and height (h).

AR = wh

Common standardizations include:

Golden Ratio ≈ 1.618 (Togo)

British Standard = 1:2

Continental = 2:3

A strictly defined color distance (ΔE) is used to distinguish flags like Indonesia and Monaco.

Reference Data

Family / Pattern	Geometric Definition	Global Frequency	Color Standards (Approx)
The Tricolor (Vertical)	Field divided into 3 equal vertical bands	~22%	Standard: RGB
The Triband (Horizontal)	Field divided into 3 horizontal bands	~28%	Often Pan-Slavic or Pan-African
The Nordic Cross	Cross calculated with offset to hoist (Left)	~6%	High Contrast
The Canton	Quarter field (upper hoist) distinct from field	~12%	Derived from Naval Ensigns
The Diagonal (Bend)	Band extending from corner to corner	~4%	Dynamic Assymetry
Solid Field + Charge	Monochrome background with central emblem	~15%	Symbolic Focus
Serrated / Sawtooth	Separation line is zigzagged	~2%	e.g., Qatar, Bahrain

Frequently Asked Questions

A flag is a generic term. An Ensign is specifically used at sea. A Civil Ensign is flown by merchant ships, while a Naval Ensign is flown by warships. Many countries (e.g., UK, Japan) have different designs for land flags versus naval ensigns.

Nepal is the only sovereign state with a non-quadrilateral flag. Its shape is a combination of two pennons (triangles), symbolizing the Himalayas and the two main religions (Hinduism and Buddhism). Mathematically, its construction is extremely complex and defined by constitutional law.

Use this to isolate flags by their shape. "Square" (1:1) will show Switzerland and Vatican City. "Elongated" (1:2) will show mostly British Commonwealth nations and former Soviet states. The standard "2:3" covers most of the world.

They are approximations. National laws define colors in Pantone (PMS) or CMYK for print. We convert these to sRGB Hex values for screen display, which may result in slight variance depending on your monitor calibration.