What is on the sheet
A stick figure for every letter, A to Z, holding a flag in each hand at the angle that letter needs. Each one is drawn as you would see the signaller standing facing you, which is how you read a message. A small label under each figure gives the two directions, like SW-S for A. The last figure is the numeral sign, with a note on how numbers are sent.
The figures are the same drawings as the flag semaphore translator, which turns any message into a row of signals.
How semaphore works
Think of the arms as the hands of a clock that only stop at eight places: straight down, straight out, straight up and the diagonals between. Every letter is a pair of those positions. A to G keep one arm straight down while the other moves round. H, I and K to N do the same with one arm held low and out to the side, and J is the odd one out. Learning them in those runs is much easier than learning 26 separate shapes.
To send, face the person reading, hold each flag straight out from the shoulder, and pause a moment on each letter. Bring both flags down in front of you between words.
Frequently asked questions
Is the semaphore chart drawn from the front or the back?
From the front: each figure is drawn as you see a signaller facing you. To send a letter yourself, copy the figure as if it were your mirror.
How are numbers sent in flag semaphore?
Send the numeral sign first. After it, A to I mean 1 to 9 and K means 0, until J switches back to letters.
What color are semaphore flags?
At sea they are usually split red and yellow on the diagonal, and on land white and blue. Any two flags you can see clearly will do for practice.
Who uses flag semaphore?
Navies and scouts have used it since the 1800s to talk across water or a field, as far as you can see the flags.
Covert Mail on your phone
Covert Mail teaches flag semaphore a few letters at a time, along with Morse, braille and twelve more codes. It's free on the App Store.
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The Morse code chart and braille alphabet chart cover two more ways to signal letters. There's more on the printables page.