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Flag semaphore
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newer flag semaphore system uses two short poles with square flags, which a signalman holds in different positions to signal letters of the alphabet and numbers. The signalman holds one pole in each hand, and extends each arm in one of eight possible directions. Except for in the rest position, the flags cannot overlap. The flags are coloured differently based on whether the signals are sent by sea or by land.
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Encyclopedia
Modern semaphore
The newer flag semaphore system uses two short poles with square flags, which a signalman holds in different positions to signal letters of the alphabet and numbers. The signalman holds one pole in each hand, and extends each arm in one of eight possible directions. Except for in the rest position, the flags cannot overlap. The flags are coloured differently based on whether the signals are sent by sea or by land. At sea, the flags are coloured red and yellow (the Oscar flag), while on land, they are white and blue (the Papa flag).
Characters
The following semaphore characters are presented as one would face the signalman:
Image:Semaphore Ready.svg|Rest / Space
Image:Semaphore Numeric.svg|Numerals
Image:Semaphore Error.svg|Attention
Image:Semaphore Alpha.svg|A / 1
Image:Semaphore Bravo.svg|B / 2
Image:Semaphore Charlie.svg|C / 3
Acknowledge/Correct
Image:Semaphore Delta.svg|D / 4
Offside
Image:Semaphore Echo.svg|E / 5
(8x) Error
Image:Semaphore Foxtrot.svg|F / 6
Image:Semaphore Golf.svg|G / 7
Image:Semaphore Hotel.svg|H / 8
Image:Semaphore India.svg|I / 9
Image:Semaphore Juliet.svg|J
Letters / Position Sign
Image:Semaphore Kilo.svg|K / 0
Invitation to Transmit
Image:Semaphore Lima.svg|L
Image:Semaphore Mike.svg|M
Image:Semaphore November.svg|N
Image:Semaphore Oscar.svg|O
Image:Semaphore Papa.svg|P
Image:Semaphore Quebec.svg|Q
Image:Semaphore Romeo.svg|R
Image:Semaphore Sierra.svg|S
Image:Semaphore Tango.svg|T
Image:Semaphore Uniform.svg|U
Image:Semaphore Victor.svg|V
Image:Semaphore Whiskey.svg|W
Image:Semaphore X-ray.svg|X
Image:Semaphore Yankee.svg|Y
Image:Semaphore Zulu.svg|Z
Japanese semaphore
The Japanese merchant marine and armed services have adapted the flag semaphore system to the Japanese language, as shown in Japanese . Because their writing system involves a syllabary of about twice the number of characters in the Latin alphabet, most characters take two displays of the flags to complete; others need three and a few only one.
The flags are specified as a solid white square for the left hand and a solid red one for the right. The display motions chosen are not like the "rotary dial" system used for the Latin alphabet letters and numbers; rather, the displays represent the angles of the brush strokes used in writing in the katakana syllabary and in the order drawn.
For example, the character for "O" [?], which is drawn first with a horizontal line from left to right, then a vertical one from top to bottom, and finally a slant between the two; follows that form and order of the arm extensions. It is the right arm, holding the red flag, which moves as a pen would, but in mirror image so that the observer sees the pattern normally. As in telegraphy, the katakana syllabary is the one used to write down the messages as they are received.
Also, the Japanese system presents the number 0 by moving flags in a circle, and those from 1 through 14 using a sort of the "rotary dial" system, but different from that used for European languages.
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