Drapeau

Drapeau is the French word for a flag, a piece of cloth bearing symbols used as an emblem of a state, region, organization, or cause. Flags are typically attached to a staff or flown from a mast and used for signaling, identification, or ceremonial purposes. In public life, drapeaux serve as symbols of sovereignty, nationality, or affiliation and may appear on government buildings, ships, in sports arenas, or during parades.

There are many types: national flags, civil flags, state flags, naval ensigns, maritime signal flags, and organizational banners. National flags represent a country and are used in international events and diplomacy. In addition to functional flags, flags are used for signaling (such as maritime flags) and as symbols within organizations.

The design of flags is studied in vexillology. Good flag design is commonly guided by principles such as simplicity, meaningful symbolism, limited colors, avoidance of lettering or complex seals, and distinctiveness to resist misinterpretation. The French national flag, known as le drapeau tricolore, is a vertical blue-white-red tricolor adopted during the late 18th century; its color order and symbolism are widely discussed within French history.

Flag use is governed by protocols in many countries, often including rules about display, hoisting and lowering, care when handling, and the appropriate context for display on holidays and official events.