Why are flags rectangular? - Historum

**AlpinLuke** · June 9th, 2012, 01:09 PM

When I was in Nepal I noted that the flag of that country is not rectangular. Actually it's a composition of two triangles.

But they are so influenced by international culture that they produce also flags, rectangular in shapes, with the Nepali flag and the rest of the surface white.

Have you ever wondered about? Why are our flags generally rectangular?

PM96 · June 9th, 2012, 01:20 PM

No idea. It's just... common practice. I don't think most people really noticed that a lot of national flags were rectangles. The flags of Switzerland and Vatican City are squares, but still four-sided. I wonder if the Nepalese people are proud of their unique double-triangle flag...

**Naomasa298** · June 9th, 2012, 02:53 PM

For the same reason that paper, doors and TV screens are rectangular.

Terranovan · June 9th, 2012, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Naomasa298

For the same reason that paper, doors and TV screens are rectangular.

Doors are rectangular because we are taller than we are wide, tv screens are rectangular because we have two eyes creating a wider view than tall. paper is so just by randomness.

My guess is it's the only shape hoistable in the wind.

**Lawnmowerman** · June 9th, 2012, 04:58 PM

I'd love to see a circular TV

**Pacific_Victory** · June 9th, 2012, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Terranovan

Doors are rectangular because we are taller than we are wide, tv screens are rectangular because we have two eyes creating a wider view than tall. paper is so just by randomness.

My guess is it's the only shape hoistable in the wind.

I suspect not, or else the Nepalese must have a terrible time at parades.

**Rongo** · June 9th, 2012, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Terranovan

Doors are rectangular because we are taller than we are wide, tv screens are rectangular because we have two eyes creating a wider view than tall. paper is so just by randomness.

My guess is it's the only shape hoistable in the wind.

I'm guessing the wind too, though I think mostly because a rectangular flag would flap the best.

**bunyip** · June 9th, 2012, 05:24 PM

Quote:

doors and TV screens are rectangular.

It seems form follows function to a point. Rectangular doorways,and doors are simpler than say a arched doorway and structurally sound. Ovoid doorways, or
'Moon gates' were also common in China.

Rectangular TV screens are a recent innovation. CRT screens were not even quite square,they came to took that way because they were 'cropped',to fit the 20th century universal screen ratio of 4:3 . Rectangular screens were introduced to fit today's most common cinema screen ratios of 1.85:1 and 2.39:1 Widescreen TV's use a ratio of 16:9

The broader ratios began in the 1950's with screen formats such as Cinemascope and Vistavison,and for a short period in the 1960's,'Cinerama', as a direct response to television.

**AlpinLuke** · June 9th, 2012, 11:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rongo

I'm guessing the wind too, though I think mostly because a rectangular flag would flap the best.

Probably this is the correct explanation. After all in Nepal they use to put triangles of fabric attached to chords on the mountains [the prayers are on rectangular sheets of paper, by the way].

Perhaps they have put this traditional form in their flag [I hadn't asked about when I was in Nepal].

I have to say that, in any case, also the two red triangles of the Nepali flag make a certain visual effect in the wind.

**Naomasa298** · June 10th, 2012, 02:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Terranovan

Doors are rectangular because we are taller than we are wide, tv screens are rectangular because we have two eyes creating a wider view than tall.

It is the most suitable shape for the requirement.

A rectangular shape with straight edges also makes for simpler manufacturing and the least wastage of material.