The flag is a symbol of the nation. It represents the purpose and resolve of the nation and was first expressed by our Founding Fathers who founded the new nation. The flag represents the history and future of our country. There is an excellent article on Wiki dealing with the flag. You can also read more about the flag at http://www.usflag.org/uscode36.html
It depends which flag you're talking about. Some flags don't have any striped at all. All flags that do have stripes each have a different purpose for their stripes.
Many countries have more than one flag depending on the purpose (national flag for civilian use, national flag for government use, flag for use on warships (this is called an Ensign.)) The rays are only on the Japanese Ensign (Navy flag) The national flag is, and was during WW II just the rising sun (disk alone.) The Ensign of Japan today still has the rays on it. I suspect the reason you may think the rays went away is from WW II most of the pictures we see are of warships. After that... not so much.
American flag
The US flag incorporates and has developed from the Union flag
According to the US Flag Code, the US Flag should be larger in size and (if flying on the same pole), at the top of the pole. If flying the American flag with a state flag, the American flag needs to be on a taller pole than the state flag and displayed on the flag's right side. If flying them on poles of equal size, then flying the American flag on the flag's right side is correct.
2 All purpose flags are authorized. -The All-Weather (Storm) Flag -"All-Purpose" Flag
Same as for any other flag - to serve as a national symbol.
Surrender was expeted.
Subservience.
The flag of the United States was defined by the Continental Congress on June 14th, 1777. The initial purpose of the flag was to be flown on our sailing ships indicating that their country of origin.
to show respect. also if you're saluting a person, you look at them, so if you salute a flag, you should look at it.
Green Flag has developed the Green Flag Rescue application to pinpoint one's exact location by GPS and to enable someone to call for help when his or her car breaks down.
it shows respect to the inportant person who died
It depends which flag you're talking about. Some flags don't have any striped at all. All flags that do have stripes each have a different purpose for their stripes.
The ball at the top of the flag pole is probably just there for decoration. Or, it may simply be there to balance out the pole... who knows? But according to my friends, it's also to keep the flag from flying off the pole, too.
There is no such thing as the 'American flag'. Many people, incorrectly, call the US flag the American flag. This is obviously incorrect. There are many other countries in America with their own flag. As with any flag it is a symbol of nationalism. A 'tribe' or society on which values are built and held. Those values may vary within that society but there is usually an overall sense of identity and purpose.
No, it is not illegal to display a Confederate flag. It is a form of protected speech under the first amendment. However, if the purpose of the flag is to instill rebellion, initiate racial hatred or violence, or to oppress a minority, that is an actionable offense. That is why the flag can be banned from schools, police uniforms, etc.