" Every man... by his own standard w (Num. ii. 2). The several princes of Israel selected the colors for their banners from the color of the stones that were upon the breastplate of Aaron. From them other princes have learned to adorn their standards with different distinguishing colors. Reuben had his flag red, and leaves of mandrakes upon it. Issachar had his flag blue, and the sun and moon upon it. Naphtali had on his flag an olive tree, for this reason that (Gen. xlix. 20) " Out of Asher his bread shall be fat.w
The Colors and Emblems of the Twelve Tribal Banners
Hebraic Literature (1901), Bamidbar Rabbah, chap. 2