What is often the primary purpose of an ensign?

The primary purpose of an ensign is to represent a military unit. An ensign is a flag or standard that signifies a nation's military forces and their affiliations. It serves as a unifying symbol for service members, denoting their identity and allegiance. In military contexts, specific ensigns can reflect the branch of service and provide a sense of pride and cohesion within that unit.

This representation is crucial for recognizing and distinguishing different units during operations, ceremonies, and in the field. Furthermore, ensigns can also play a role in signaling authority and command within military structures. While providing guidance and serving decorative purposes can be aspects of flags in general, when considering the specific function of an ensign, its primary role remains centered around representation and identification of military forces.