The art of flag throwing dates back to medieval guilds (principally in Italy). A guild's banner or flag was considered a symbol of purity, and as such it was not allowed to touch the ground.
There a two major categories of flag throwing: classical and acrobatical. In classical flag throwing, the flag is turned left and right around the body in a standing posture. In acrobatical flag throwing, the thrower uses both hands to move the flag in a sitting, laying, or kneeling posture.
Famous quotes containing the words flag and/or throwing:
“—Here, the flag snaps in the glare and silence
Of the unbroken ice. I stand here,
The dogs bark, my beard is black, and I stare
At the North Pole. . .
And now what? Why, go back.
Turn as I please, my step is to the south.”
—Randall Jarrell (1914–1965)
“I have always heard, Sancho, that doing good to base fellows is like throwing water into the sea.”
—Miguel De Cervantes (1547–1616)