White Flag
Historical review of the White Flags shows that they had different meaning through out the time and also dependent upon the place where they are used. White Flag is internationally recognized flag for the suspension of hostility and ceasefire. It is a symbol of peace. It is also recognized as a symbol for negotiation. Another purpose of using a white flag is denoting the surrender of one party in the war. White flag is flying as a request from weaker party in the war for negotiation with the stronger party of the war. When a white flag fly in the air it means that the negotiator from this side are unarmed, or surrendered or want communication (dialog). Any person waving a white flag will be fired upon or he will not fire on the opposite party at any cost, otherwise it will be violence from international war rules. The usage of white flag of surrender is included in Geneva Conventions. Geneva Conventions are some predefined rules for war. How the two parties will treat each other? How they will treat war prisoners? Etc. Any improper use of white flag is forbidden by the war rules. History of the while surrender flag shows that several cases have been occurred when fighters have used the white flag, falsely, to reach the enemy and to attack them by using this war rules violated trick. It is not necessary for a surrendering party to have a proper plain white flag. Even a t-short or handkerchief can be used for this purpose. The most common and simplest way of making a white flag is to have a pole and white cloth. Tie this white cloth from two corners with one end of the pole and wave it in the air.
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History of the white surrender flag is very old. In history, the first white flag of surrender was used during 25-220 A.D. In the Roman Empire the white flag was used for surrendering purpose in A.D 109. Before this the Roman armies were holding their shields above their heads to denote the surrender of one party in the war. After the usage of first white flag for surrendering purpose, it is spread world wide and is a well known symbol for surrendering, a request for negotiation etc.
The Umayyad used the white flag for ninety years 661-750. They used it because the Holy Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) used it in the very first war of Badar. White is one of the pan-Arab colors during this period. In 18th century during the period of Ancient Regime, a plain white flag became as the royal standard of France. In 1974, during the French Revolution a tricolor flag was adopted.
The French army commanding officer used white color as a symbol for military command. In the American war of independence the French fighting troops were fought under the white flag.
During the Afghan civil war, when the Taliban took the control of Kabul in 1996, they used plain white flag. They established the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, and the white flag became the national flag of Afghanistan. The white flag was representing the purity of their faith and government. In the race competition the white flag is displayed over the starter’s tower to denote that the racer is running last lap. Making white flag clipart is easy, because there are not any designing skills and decoration is required, even not any emblem, strips or different colors which will depict something is used. Only the white plain white flags depict the peace, harmony and ceasefire especially at the time of war.
