The vexillological fans are those hobbyists who have chosen the flag as their favorite symbol, these people usually collect flags and other related objects like stamps, notes, coins, and jewelry. The enthusiasts often refer to themselves as vexillologists. This is a group that has many supporters around the world; estimates show that this community consists of more than 10,000 members worldwide.
There are three classes of people who love flags: collectors, researchers, and designers. There are also some die-hard fans of vexillology who think about flags even when they sleep or eat breakfast! Some people may consider this behavior geekish but it does not make them less passionate about their hobby. To be able to understand more about the passion for flags you must first become familiar with the basics of this hobby.
Vexillology is divided into several major branches: history, design, and heraldry; some researchers study flags from the point of view of political science and they focus on their symbolism. Many collectors go to great lengths to gather information regarding the flag’s origin. An interesting fact about vexillologists is that almost all serious patriotic organizations have vexillologists among their members in the majority of cases these people keep an eye on what is happening at various state institutions, they want to ensure that the symbols remain untouched by politicians while also staying true to their traditions.
If you are interested in vexillology then you will probably be interested in how much money you can make from collecting flags, well the answer to this question is… not a lot. Because of the rise in prices, many collectors have decided to start selling their collections on specialized websites and at auctions, but most vexillologists don’t do it because of money; they are passionate about these symbols and simply love learning more about them.
One of the greatest vexillological events is taking place in Paris every year, it takes several days and all fans around the globe come to this annual event… yes even those who live in New Zealand or Australia :) These meetings are an excellent opportunity for those who share a common interest as they get together and explore new ideas etc. You should be aware that if you take your interest in flags too seriously then you will probably encounter some misunderstandings, because of this you should not be upset if someone thinks that it is silly to spend hours or even days studying these symbols. If you exhibit a healthy interest in vexillology then there is no reason for thinking negatively about your behavior!