How were flags used in ancient China during battles and royal ceremonies?

In ancient China, flags served as vital symbols of authority and military coordination. During battles, they were carried on chariots and planted on the walls of captured cities to mark territory. The fall of a flag was synonymous with defeat, and because the royal flag was identified directly with the ruler, it was treated with immense respect; it was considered a crime even to touch the flag-bearer. To protect the monarch, the king rarely exposed his personal flag and his person together, typically entrusting the standard to a general.1

These flags often featured symbolic devices such as a red bird, a white tiger, or a blue dragon. Beyond their use in combat, flags were also utilized for signaling purposes. The tradition of using flags in China dates back to the Zhou dynasty, where it is recorded that the founder had a white flag carried before him as a mark of his leadership.1