Flags have been used on both warships and merchant ships for centuries, to guide, report show course, speed, weather and in war to keep squadrons together and give orders in the thick of battle. Flags are used to send messages to other vessels and as they are all alphabetical and numerical there is no limit to what you can say or send. My neighbor a very staunch NDP ( New Democratic Party )supporter in the province where I live was hoping his party would get in for a second term, but it was not to be, but being the good neighbor I am I hastened the NDP's demise by sending up this message so he could see from 3 doors away. To most anyone they appear as well colorful flags, but ones with a message. He came over and asked a fair question about them and was given a fair answer as to what they were and said.............E X I T N D P. He did not speak to me for the better part of a month and needless to say come the election his party was removed promptly...............thanks for the peek ......