In olden times, nautical flags had a very practical and important purpose. Ships at sea would display different flags from the yardarms of their ships to send messages to other ships in the area. Sometimes messages of distress, or instructions for maneuvers, or just to tell everyone the admiral was on board and everyone one better be shipshape or face being keelhauled or walking the plank. But those days are long gone, a relic of history just like the wooden ships and the iron men who sailed them. These days nautical themed flags serve a very different purpose. If you have a home on the beach, or even if you’re a landlubber who longs for a reminder of the sea, nautical themed flags can bring a whimsical reminder of the briny deep into your home and garden.