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SALT LAKE CITY — With the election season in full swing and with candidates standing in front of flags everywhere they go, vexillologists — those who study flags — are pretty excited right now.
John Hartvigsen, who just returned from a national convention of vexillologists, says the power of the flag in politics is huge. It happens whenever there's an election: no matter where you look —TV, newspaper or online — the candidates are surrounded by the Red, White and Blue.
"This is part of our political tradition; it goes way back," said Hartvigsen, secretary of the North American Vexillological Association.
Long ago politicians, including Abraham Lincoln, Ulysses S. Grant and others always included the American flag in their campaigns. Hartvigsen says now, we just expect it.
"It doesn't matter which candidate you see," Hartvigsen said. "If they're giving a formal speech, you will see flags in the background."
Vexillology is the study of flags. The term was coined in 1957 by Dr. Whitney Smith, who derived it from the Latin word vexillum, which was a term for flags displayed by ancient Romans.
Vexillologists study the history, symbolism and usage of flags using scientific principles.
The North American Vexillological Association also formulates standards for flag terminology, methodology and data recording.
For more information, visit the NAVA website.
With the presidential campaigns in full swing now, Hartvigsen and no doubt many of his colleagues around the nation, are not only paying attention to what the candidates are saying, but also what's behind them.
"Well, I'm always looking to see if they made a mistake — is it displayed correctly, what flags are they using," Hartvigsen said. "So you see big flags, little flags, you see crowds, everybody waving flags, so that's what I'm looking for."
Flags are so much a part of the political scene that if a politician isn't sure whether there will be a flag at a particular venue, they'll often bring a portable flag kit complete with flags, poles and heavy brass stands. One was recently sent on a trip with Gov. Gary Herbert.
"That makes it very clear: ‘Hey, I'm from Utah!" he said.
Candidates often get criticized for "wrapping themselves up in the flag" or being a "flag waver," but Hartvigsen says that's probably better than the alternative.
"It can help or hinder, but I think a politician ignores the flag at his or her own peril," he said.
Hartvigsen was elected to the executive board of the North American Vexillological Association and will be organizing the 2013 convention, which will be heldin Salt Lake City.
