Flags Emoji

Flag emoji represent one of the most technically fascinating implementations in the Unicode Standard. Unlike other emoji that use a single codepoint, national flags are created by combining two Regional Indicator Symbol letters that correspond to ISO 3166-1 country codes. This means the flag emoji for France is actually the combination of the regional indicators for "F" and "R."

The flag category includes all 258 officially recognized territories and countries, plus special flags like the rainbow pride flag, transgender flag, and pirate flag. Subdivision flags (like England, Scotland, and Wales within the UK) use an even more complex encoding system involving tag characters.

Flag emoji see peak usage during international events like the World Cup, Olympics, and national holidays. They are essential for representing national identity in global digital spaces. Some platforms display flag emoji differently or not at all due to political considerations — a reminder that even seemingly simple symbols can carry significant geopolitical weight.