Editing National flag (section)

===At sea===
The flag that indicates nationality on a ship is called an [[Ensign (flag)|ensign]]. As with the national flags, there are three varieties: the '''[[civil ensign]]''' ([[File:FIAV 000100.svg|23px]]), flown by private vessels; '''[[state ensign]]s''' (also called '''government ensigns'''; [[File:FIAV 000010.svg|23px]]), flown by government ships; and '''[[war ensign]]s''' (also called '''naval ensigns'''; [[File:FIAV 000001.svg|23px]]), flown by naval vessels. The ensign is flown from an [[Ensign (flag)|ensign]]-staff at the [[stern]] of the ship, or from a gaff when underway. Both these positions are superior to any other on the ship, even though the [[Mast (sailing)|masthead]] is higher. In the absence of a gaff the ensign may be flown from the [[yardarm]]. (See [[Maritime flags]].) National flags may also be flown by aircraft and the land vehicles of important officials. In the case of aircraft, those flags are usually painted on, and those are usually to be painted on in the position as if they were blowing in the wind.

In some countries, such as the [[United States]] and [[Canada]] (except for the [[Canadian Naval Ensign|Royal Canadian Navy's Ensign]]), the national ensign is identical to the national flag, while in others, such as the [[United Kingdom]], [[India]], [[Italy]] [[Japan]] and [[Thailand]], there are specific ensigns for maritime use. Most countries do not have a separate state ensign, although the United Kingdom is a rare exception, in having a [[red ensign]] for civil use, a [[white ensign]] as its naval ensign, and a [[blue ensign]] for government non-military vessels. Italian naval ensign bears the arms of the [[Italian Navy]]: a [[Escutcheon (heraldry)|shield]], surmounted by a [[Mural crown|turreted]] and [[Naval crown|rostrum crown]], which brings together in four parts the arms of four ancient [[maritime republics]] ([[Republic of Venice]], [[Republic of Genoa]], [[Republic of Pisa]] and [[Duchy of Amalfi|Republic of Amalfi]]).
<gallery class="center">
File:Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg|The [[White Ensign|naval ensign of the United Kingdom]]
File:Naval Ensign of India.svg|The [[Indian Naval Ensign]], also referred to as the Indian White Ensign, or ''Nishaan'', is the [[naval ensign]] of the [[Indian Navy]]
File:Naval Ensign of Italy.svg|The [[naval ensign]] of [[Italy]]
File:Naval Ensign of Japan.svg|Naval ensign of the [[Imperial Japanese Navy]] and the [[Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force]]
File:Naval Ensign of Thailand.svg|Royal Navy Thai Flag [[Naval ensign]] Emblem White  Elephant
</gallery>
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