2025.06.15

The History of Banners: From Ancient Symbols to Modern Printing

🟨 Chapter 1: Why Learn About the History of Banners?

Why Learn About the History of Banners?

Banners are everywhere. You see them at sports events, hanging over city streets during festivals, or stretched across storefronts announcing grand openings. They’re a staple of public life—but have you ever wondered where they came from?

Understanding the history of banners helps us see them not just as signs, but as deeply cultural tools of communication that have evolved alongside humanity itself.

Not just decoration—banners are messages you can see

Unlike flyers or ads that can be ignored or tossed aside, banners are physically present in space. Their visibility makes them impossible to miss. But more than just grabbing attention, they reflect emotion, intention, and identity—whether it’s a school celebrating graduation or a protest calling for justice.

History gives context—and elevates your design choices

When you know that banners once rallied troops in battle or symbolized religious devotion, your next design might carry a little more weight. Whether you’re creating a banner for business or ceremony, that historical insight gives depth to your message.

🟨 Chapter 2：Ancient Banners—Symbols of Power and Identity

Throughout history, humans have used cloth and flags to show who they are, what they believe, and where they stand—literally and figuratively. Long before the word “banner” existed, the concept already lived in ancient civilizations.

Roman standards and military coordination

In the Roman Empire, legions marched under standards—vertical poles topped with metal emblems and sometimes draped with cloth. These banners were more than military signals; they embodied the identity, pride, and loyalty of the unit. Losing a standard in battle was considered a disgrace.

Japanese war flags and the symbolism of battle

Across the world, in feudal Japan, samurai leaders used nobori (vertical banners) and uma-jirushi (battle flags) during the Sengoku period (15th–17th century). These flags helped distinguish friend from foe, and each family’s emblem (or mon) was proudly displayed.
To foreign readers, these may seem exotic, but they functioned much like Roman standards—combining identity, unity, and authority into one visual symbol.

Religious and spiritual banners

Beyond warfare, banners also had a sacred role. In both Western and Eastern traditions, cloth was used to carry prayers, blessings, or religious messages. Tibetan prayer flags, Christian processional banners, and Japanese temple streamers all point to the spiritual power of fabric in motion.

🟨 Chapter 3：Protest Banners and the Rise of Public Messaging

As society entered the modern age, banners took on a new life—not just as symbols of power, but as tools of public expression. With the rise of mass movements, political struggles, and urban gatherings, banners became the loudest voice for those who had none.

Banners in labor and civil rights movements

In the 19th and 20th centuries, protest banners appeared in the hands of workers, activists, and citizens demanding change.
From May Day marches to civil rights protests, simple cloth banners carried powerful words like “Equal Rights” or “8 Hours a Day.”
These messages, written large and held high, allowed ordinary people to make extraordinary statements—visibly, peacefully, and powerfully.

The visual impact of words in public space

A banner is not just read—it is seen.
Its size, color, and location make it an unmistakable presence in public space. In times when governments or media suppressed voices, a hand-painted banner could cut through silence.
This visual boldness is what gave banners a lasting place in political communication.

From protest to promotion—banners go commercial

As banners proved effective in grabbing attention, businesses began adopting them too.
Sales events, grand openings, public announcements—all became opportunities to use bold, large-format messaging.
Thus, the protest banner evolved into the promotional banner, yet both shared the same DNA: visibility and message clarity.

🟨 Chapter 4：The Printing Revolution and the Modern Banner

Banners changed dramatically with the evolution of printing technology.
What began as hand-painted cloth became a canvas for vivid, large-scale, full-color messaging—thanks to advances in materials and machines.

From brush to press—mechanization transforms banners

Before the 20th century, most banners were painted by hand. This limited how many could be made and how fast.
With the rise of screen printing, and later large-format inkjet printing, it became possible to reproduce banners in bulk, quickly and consistently.

These technologies allowed for:

Detailed lettering and logos
Bright, fade-resistant colors
Mass production with consistent quality

Modern materials: from fabric to PVC and beyond

Alongside print innovations came material evolution.
Today’s banners are often made from PVC (vinyl), which is weather-resistant, durable, and flexible.
Other materials include mesh banners for windy areas, fabric banners for indoor events, and eco-friendly options for sustainability-focused campaigns.

The role of professional printing companies

Designing and producing an effective banner today involves more than just printing.
As a professional printing company, we help clients:

Choose the right material for the environment
Ensure proper sizing and resolution
Handle finishing (e.g., grommets, hemming, pole pockets)
Advise on optimal placement and installation

Technology may have changed, but the mission remains the same: deliver a message that can’t be ignored.

🟨 Chapter 5：From Sports to Storefronts—Banners in Everyday Life

Banners are no longer just for protests or ceremonies—they’ve become a familiar part of everyday scenery.
Whether you’re cheering on a team, shopping at a local store, or attending a school event, banners are likely around you.

Cheering for teams, welcoming graduates

At sports matches, large banners often wave in the stands with bold, emotional messages like “Go Tigers!” or “We Believe.”
In schools, banners are used for graduations, open houses, and school festivals. They create atmosphere, express encouragement, and show community spirit.

Banners in commerce and local promotion

Shops use banners to announce limited-time sales or grand openings.
Event organizers hang banners on fences or stages to promote sponsors.
Political campaigns still rely on roadside banners for name recognition.
In Japan, this is especially visible in shopping arcades and festival streets where banners blend tradition and marketing.

The power of being “physically present”

In a world of digital ads and fleeting content, banners still hold a unique strength: they exist in space.
People don’t have to click or scroll to see them—they’re just there.
And that visibility builds memory and trust over time.

As a printing company, we see that even in the digital age, clients continue to value banners for their reliability, impact, and tactile presence.

🟨 Conclusion：Banners Still Matter in the Digital Age

We live in a world overflowing with content. Ads pop up, scroll past, and vanish in seconds. Yet banners remain—quiet, physical, and powerful.

From ancient battlefields to modern storefronts, the banner has always served one purpose: to deliver a message clearly and boldly.
Whether hand-painted or digitally printed, hung on a wall or waved in a crowd, it speaks directly to people’s eyes—and hearts.

As a printing company, we believe banners are not old-fashioned. They are time-tested tools of visibility and expression. And with today’s materials and techniques, they’re more effective—and beautiful—than ever before.