The flag semaphore system uses two short poles with square flags, which a flagman holds in different positions to signal letters of the alphabet and numbers. The flagman 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.

One way to visualize the semaphore alphabet is to think of it in terms of circles. with 7 positions around a clock face

• first circle A B C - D - E F G - Using right for A-C then left arm for E-G either for D
• second circle H I K L M N - Right arm to A then use left arm to carry on around the 'clock face'
• third circle O P Q R S - Right arm to B then use left arm to carry on around the 'clock face'
• fourth circle T U Y - Right arm to C then use left arm to carry on around the 'clock face'
• fifth circle numerals, J - Right arm to D left arm to to carry on around the 'clock face'
• sixth circle W X - Right arm to E then use left arm to carry on around the 'clock face'
• seventh circle Z - Right arm to F then use left arm to carry on around the 'clock face'

In ther first circle, the letters A to C are made with the right arm, D with either and E to G with the left.
In the second circle, the right arm is kept still at the letter A position and the left arm makes the movements.
In the remaining circles, the right arm remains fixed while the left arm moves.
The arms are kept straight when changing from one position to another.

A & 1			N
B & 2			O
C & 3			P
D & 4			Q
E & 5			R
F & 6			S
G & 7			T
H & 8			U
I & 9			V
J			W
K			X
L			Y
M			Z
BREAK			NUMERAL

Click here to download a MS word document showing the above table