Flags come in all shapes and sizes. Usually they consist of a piece of free-flying fabric attached to a rigid vertical staff, although they may also be hung from horizontal bars. 

Flags may be flown from flagpoles of the halyards of sailing ships, carried on staves or spears, fixed on pins for table stands, or hung from spars at 45 degrees t the vertical known as 'gaffs'. Most modern flags are made from polyester, but many different fabrics have been used in the past, including silk, taffeta, cotton, linen, and wool. The designs may be built up by sewing together material of different colours, or they may be printed.