Flag

A flag, banner, or pennant was a decorative and symbolic article that was used to represent a government, group or individual. Typically, these pieces are used to represent patriotism, ownership, or announcements. Flags were generally presented on a horizontal plane, banners were typically draped over walls so as to be always unfurled, and pennants were in general tapered flags.

Representations[]

When the Enterprise NX-01 first arrived at Archer IV, Captain Jonathan Archer wanted to be sure that nobody else had a claim on the planet, explain that he didn't "want to go waltzing into their backyard" if it was. After scanning for marker buoys, beacons, and man-made satellites, Malcolm Reed noted that nothing of the sort was in range and that it "Looks like no one's planted a flag just yet." (ENT: "Strange New World")

When Lieutenant Malcolm Reed told Travis Mayweather they needed to commemorate the landing on Archer's Comet, Mayweather suggested planting a flag on the comet but Reed found it too predictable. Instead they built a Vulcan snowman. (ENT: "Breaking the Ice")

When preparing for the exploration for an uninhabited planet in September 2152, Commander Tucker commented, "New planets, new aliens. Banner day." (ENT: "The Catwalk")

When Miles O'Brien and Julian Bashir were awaiting the results of Captain Benjamin Sisko's plan to retake Deep Space 9 from the Dominion in 2374, O'Brien toasted, "Here's to retaking the castle," to which Bashir replied, "And planting our flag on its battlements once again." Jadzia Dax shook her head, and told them that they spend too much time in the holosuites. (DS9: "Favor the Bold")

When Q stood up for the cause that eventually lead to the Q Civil War, he explained its birth to Kathryn Janeway, stating "I sounded the trumpet and carried the banner. Naturally, others followed. The forces of the status quo tried to crush us once and for all, but we fought back. And now there's a cosmic struggle for supremacy, and the battle is spreading, causing hazardous repercussions throughout the galaxy." (VOY: "The Q and the Grey")

Bajoran banner[]

The Promenade on Deep Space 9 was often adorned with flags, including the Bajoran banner. Some were simply for decoration while some were stylized versions of various government flags and insignia. (DS9: "You Are Cordially Invited")

Cardassian banner[]

During the Occupation of Bajor, a Cardassian gul, named Pirak, executed fifteen farmers from the Hathon region for refusing to display the Cardassian banner on the outside of their homes. (DS9: "The Darkness and the Light")

Earth flags[]

During the early history of Earth, each nation was identified by unique colors and symbols that was used for representation. (TNG: "The Last Outpost")

Examples of national flags:

• France: Blue, white, and red
• Germany: Black, red, and gold
• Italy: Green, white, and red
• Flag of the United States of America: Red, white, and blue

Several flags were present in Trelane's house. When he spoke of the collection to Captain James T. Kirk, Trelane stated, "And this, of course, is an array of your battle flags and pennants dating back to the Crusades, to Hannibal's invaders, the Grecian war galleys, and the hordes of Persia. Can't you imagine it, Captain? The thousands of men marching off to their deaths, singing beneath these banners. Doesn't it make your blood run swiftly?" (TOS: "The Squire of Gothos")

In the alternate reality, it was still traditional to fly state flags. At James T. Kirk's hearing, the flag of California was displayed. (Star Trek)

Ancient flag of Earth's middle ages

Flag of the Confederate States of America

Ecology flag combined with peace symbol

The banner in Q's post-atomic horror courtroom

Enaran flag[]

In 2373, Neelix decorated the mess hall of USS Voyager with the colors of the Enaran flag, in anticipation of their forthcoming trip to Enara Prime. (VOY: "Remember")

Federation flags[]

The Flag of the Federation had a blue background with the seal of the Federation in the middle, with "UNITED FEDERATION of PLANETS" under it. (DS9: "Tears of the Prophets")

Flags were often flown at half staff following tragic events, in honor of those who died. This was done at Starfleet Headquarters the day after the attack on the Kelvin Memorial Archive and the Daystrom Conference Room. (Star Trek Into Darkness) That was also the case at Starfleet Academy in 2368, when Cadet Joshua Albert was killed performing the prohibited Kolvoord Starburst maneuver with Nova Squadron. (TNG: "The First Duty")

When the crew of the USS Discovery were honored at a ceremony in Paris in 2257, the flag of the Federation was displayed alongside the flags of the Federation founding member worlds. (DIS: "Will You Take My Hand?")

• Flag of Andoria, emblem on dark blue
• Flag of Tellar, emblem on black
• Flag of United Earth, emblem on dark blue
• Flag of Vulcan, IDIC emblem on red

The Academy flag at half staff

Flags of the Federation founding members, displayed at a Starfleet ceremony in Paris.

Two Starfleet flags

Klingon flags and banners[]

After Commander Kruge accepted the surrender of Rear Admiral James T. Kirk, following a short exchange of fire over the planet Genesis, Kruge sent a boarding party, and explained to the party leader Torg, that "Once you control the ship, we will transfer our flag there, and take Genesis from their own memory banks!" (Star Trek III: The Search for Spock)

At the outbreak of the Klingon Civil War, Kurn explained to Worf that the House of Duras had "at least seven squadrons" supporting it, but also noted that "most of the fleet has not decided which banner to follow." When Worf finally convinced Kurn to support the Klingon Chancellor, whose ship was under attack, he assisted in repelling the attacking ships before hailing the Klingon flagship and annoucing that "We come to defend the Empire and to follow the banner of Gowron." (TNG: "Redemption")

Following the arrival of Kahless the Clone to the political forefront of the Empire, one of his cleric handlers, Torin, explain that "Gowron is the Leader of the Council. He commands the entire Defense Force. If he chooses to oppose you..." before Kahless interrupted him to assure, "Do not worry. We are on the threshold of a new era for our people. Klingons from all over the Empire will flock to my banner." (TNG: "Rightful Heir")

In preparation of Bajor joining the Federation, Quark had intended to have two of his dabo girls unfurl a Federation banner from the upper level of the Promenade, which lead by a drum roll. When it unrolled, it depicted a banner that read in Klingonese, "Welcome Klingons." Quark quickly told the girls, "not that one" and he quickly pulled out a Federation banner from behind his bar. Following the applause, Dax wryly told Quark that she saw that he was "prepared for anything," an approach he felt "Never hurts." (DS9: "Rapture")

Following Martok's promotion to Supreme Commander of the Ninth Fleet, Benjamin Sisko offered to arrange quarters for the General on DS9, Martok declined, stating, "I'll keep my flag aboard the Rotarran. It may be cramped, but at least I'll feel like I'm still in the war." (DS9: "You Are Cordially Invited")

In a hallucination had by B'Elanna Torres, where it was believed that a Klingon artifact was discovered in the Delta Quadrant, Chakotay described such a find as possibly being "the most important archaeological find in Klingon history." Upon hearing this, Torres sarcastically replied, ""Remind me to plant a flag on behalf of the Empire." (VOY: "Barge of the Dead")

After Third officer Kor had taken over command of the IKS Ch'tang, during the raid on Trelka V, he believed the he was once again in command during the raid against the Federation, declaring "We will take Caleb IV and raise our banner over the smoking ruins of their outpost." (DS9: "Once More Unto the Breach")

Klingon-Cardassian Alliance banner[]

In the mirror universe, Terok Nor had its Promenade draped in flags for the Klingon-Cardassian Alliance. (DS9: "Crossover")

Mars flag[]

A work of art – specifically a painting of a matador – inspired the flag for the first Martian colonies in 2103. (DS9: "In the Cards")

Romulan banner[]

According to Vice Admiral William Ross, "Koval would like nothing better than to see the Romulan banner waving over Earth." (DS9: "Inter Arma Enim Silent Leges")

Yang flag[]

The Yangs of Omega IV had, in quite an astonishing example of Hodgkin's Law of Parallel Planetary Development, developed a society based on the same principle as the United States of America, having even produced virtually similar texts such as the Pledge of Allegiance and the United States Constitution as well as national symbols, including a flag that was practically identical to the Flag of America. Centuries after a devastating war had caused the Yangs to assume the form of a society of hunters and gatherers, the Flag of America became a holy symbol in their culture. (TOS: "The Omega Glory")

See also[]

• Flag officer
• Pennant
• White flag/Flag of truce

External links[]

• Logos and Symbols at Star Trek Minutiae
• Flag at Wikipedia
• Banner at Wikipedia