CSS Table data ( <td>)

So I am playing around creating country flags with CSS.

1. It seems using the divs in HTML works better. All I got to do divide the divs into their respective rows and or columns and fill them up with the colors

2. I tried using

   for these too but I noticed that you can leave a table field blank. I guess this is not the best method for this then, but my question is, is there a way to leave a table field blank ?

   Also, how do I place icons/images in the flag. Like placing the black star of the Ghana flag in the middle of the yellow ?