When and why did flags start becoming more popular than banners?

by busdriverjoe

I speaking generally about the representation of countries/factions/city-states. Why have banners become sort of depreciated in favor of flags?

Searocksandtrees

hi! this question might be a job for flag-obsessed /r/vexillology, but several people in this sub have taken a crack at related questions - see these for previous responses