| Vexillological Terminology |
| Badge: |
| A heraldic emblem, or charge, that is superimposed on to a flag's field as the dominant design. It contains all of the heraldic elements, or armorial bearings, that are usually incorporated into a coat-of-arms. Blue Ensigns were usually defaced with a badge to create a flag for oversees British colonies in the 19th century. Many U.S. provincial flags use a badge on a plain field, usually blue. |
| Banner: |
| 1. A cloth that closely resembles a flag but cannot be technically used as a flag. It is usually draped between two or more anchor points.The intention is to bring to mind the symbolism of a flag. 2. A flag that incorporates the heraldic design of a badge as its own design. The example at right is the state flag of Maryland, which uses the heraldric design of the coat-of-arms of Lord Baltimore, the founder of Maryland. |
| Canton: |
| The upper hoist corner of a flag that incorporates a separate design from the rest of the flag's field. The example at right is the U.S. flag, which uses the union of 50 stars in its canton. The stars in the canton represent the 50 states of the Union. Its design and symbolism is dfferent from the thirteen red and white stripes diplayed on the flag's field, which represent the original thirteen states of the Union. |
| Civil Flag: |
| A national flag design that is intended for use specifically by private citizens on land. They differ slightly in design from flags that are intended to be used by the government and by the military. The difference is usually in the omission of a state emblem such as the state seal or coat-of-arms. Therefore, civil flags are usually simpler in design. The tradition of using different designs according its use is very popular particularly among Latin American states. The example at right is the civil flag of Guatemala.(This flag is also the civil ensign of Guatemala.) |
| Ensign: |
| A national flag design intended for use by ships at sea. The example at right is the Red Ensign, a civil ensign used by the United Kingdom. Civil Ensign: A national flag intended for use at sea by private vessels and merchant ships. State Ensign: A national flag intended for use at sea by unarmed government ships. Naval Ensign: A national flag intended for use at sea by armed naval ships . |
| Field: |
| The background dominant design or color of a flag. On the Red Ensign, the field is red. On Old Glory, the field is red and white striped. See The Elements of a Flag diagram at the top of this page. |
| The end of a flag that is farthest away from the flag staff or mast and is is allowed to "fly" freely in the wind. When the flag is displayed flat, the fly is the right side of the flag as you look at it (or the flag's own left). See The Elements of a Flag diagram at the top of this page. |
| Fly: |
| House Flag: |
| Jack: |
| A small national flag or other flag that displays national colors that is flown from a jack staff at the bow of a ship to denote nationality. Customarily, jacks are only flown when a ship arrives at port, while berthed or anchored in port, and while leaving port (but not yet to sea). There are three types of jacks, distinguished by usage: Civil Jack: flown from merchant ships or other private vessels, Government jack: flown from unarmed government ships manned by civilians, Naval jack: flown from armed warships manned by military personnel commanded by officers commissioned by a government. The example at right is the naval jack of the Royal Norwegian Navy. |
| A corporate or personal flag that does not indicate nationality or citizenship. House flags may be designed to represent individuals, companies, or non-royal families. They generally do not use heraldic armorial bearings, although they may use heraldic elements within their over all design. House flags are used more often by shipping companies than any other. The example at right is the house flag of the Cunard White Star Company of the United Kingdom. |
| Length: |
| The measurement of a flag from its hoist to its fly. If the flag is irregularly shaped, its length is measured either along the top or along the greatest length. See the Elements of a Flag diagram at the top of this page. |
| Pennant: |
| A flag that comes together at a single point at its fly, forming a triangular pattern. They are more often used by athletic clubs and organizations, but are also used by armed forces as regimental or rank flags. The term is also sometimes spelled pendent. The example at right is the pennant of the American International Yacht Club in Berlin which is also a "club pennant." Club Pennant: a pennant designed for use specifically by a particular athletic or social organization.. |
| Provincial Flag: |
| A flag of a province or other sub-national unit of an independent country. The flags of the provinces of Canada are examples of Provincial Flags, but so are the flags of the states of the United States (even though they are not called provinces). |
| Mast: |
| Any vertical pole on a sailing vessel from which sails and a flag may be hoisted. |
| Masthead: |
| The highest point on a mast that is just below the truck. It is the highest point from which a flag may be flown. |
| Merchant Flag: |
| An obsolete term used to describe any flag flown from a private sailing vessel. The term used now for such a flag is "Civil Ensign." |
| Ratio: |
| Also called the Proportion: The relationship of a flag's width to its length,(w:l). This relationship affects its overall shape and size. See the Elments of a Flag diagram at the top of this page. |
| Saltire: |
| A heraldic term used to describe a diagonal cross in the form of an X.. In Vexillology, the term is used to describe or name a flag that incorporates such a cross as the main element of its design The example at right is the flag of Scotland, known as the Cross of St. Andrew or the "Scottish Saltire.". |
| Scandinavian Cross: |
| A flag that incorporates a cross that is off-centered toward the hoist, so that the arm that reaches toward the fly is longer than the arm that reaches toward the hoist. Such designs are prevalent in the national flags of the Scandinavian countries. The example at right is the national flag of Norway. Also called a Nordic Cross. |
| Standard: |
| 1. The distinguishing flag of a Head of State, such as a president or monarch. Such a flag is intended to indicate the presence and location of the person they represent. The example at right is the royal standard of Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom. 2. The flag of a military unit, such as a cavalry regiment, used in ceremonies, parades, and sometimes carried into battle. |
| State Flag: |
| 1. A national flag designed to be used by a government at times of peace. They are usually more elaborate in design or include a badge or other heraldic charge that is not included on a civil version. Often, legislation expressly prohibits its use by private citizens, though such prohibition can be only by custom. Also called a Government Flag. The example at right is the state flag of Andorra. 2. Inaccurately, a sub-national flag of one of the states of the United States or Australia. (These are provinicial flags even though the entities are called states.) |
| swallowtail: |
| A flag designed with a V-shaped cut in the fly forming two or more points. When a third point is created, the flag is often called a "swallowtail and tongue." The example of a basic swallowtail at right is the provincial flag of the State of Ohio. |
| Union: |
| A collection of emblems, such as stars, used to represent a union or confederation of nations, provinces, or other administrative units. Such unions are usually placed in the canton, such as the union of Old Glory, or it may be placed on the flag's field, such as the union of the flag of the European Union. The example at right is the flag of the European Union. The circle of stars represents the Union itself, and a new star is added for each state that is admitted into that Union. |
| Vexillogram: |
| Any image or depiction of the design or pattern of a flag. The images used on this webpage are vexillograms. |
| War Flag (Ensign): |
| Any emblem or object that is not a true flag but which fulfills all of the functions of a flag and which is used instead of a flag for the same purpose. An example of vexilloids are the small pieces of plastic that are attached to short sticks imprinted with the design of a flag on them and which are used at parades and to adorn gravemarkers of veterans. Such devices are not truely flags but are intended to convey all of the symbolism of a true flag. |
| Width: |
| The measurement of a flag along the hoist. Measurements may be taken from the fly if the flag is square or rectangular. Measurements may only be taken along the hoist if the flag is a swallowtail or a pennant. See The Elements of a Flag at the top of this page. |
| Allegory: |
| A pictorial illustration placed on a flag with the intention of conveying a moral or political message. The example at right is the colonial flag of the Bahamas, a flag that used an allegorical badge depicting Britannia riding atop a dolphin or sea serpant. This allegory represented the naval superiority of the British Empire. |
| Ascending Diagonal: |
| A pattern that uses a diagonal stripe that reaches from the lower hoist to the upper fly through the field In heraldry, this pattern is known as a bend sinister. The example at right is the national flag of St. Kittts-Nevis. |
| Archivellium: |
| An established and well known vexillogical pattern that is used as a template to create a new flag, usually for a subnational unit or governmental agency. Archivellium patterns are the basis for the flags of states that are grouped into flag families. The example at right is the Blue Ensign of the United Kingdom, a flag that served as the archivellium of the flags of several states that were borne out of the colonial empire of the UK (including Australia and New Zealand.. |
| Argent: |
| The heraldic term for the color of silver. On flags, it is usually displayed as white, but sometimes as gray. The true metallic color of silver is never displayed on a flag. |
| Azure: |
| The heraldic term for the color of blue. Though it may be used to refer to any shade of blue, true azure is the dark blue shade of the Blue Ensign of the United Kingdom. |
| Bicolor: |
| A flag of two dominant colors, usually displayed as stripes or as bands, divided either horizontally, vertically, or diagonally. The example at right is the bicolor of the civil flag of Haiti. |
| Blue Ensign: |
| The state ensign of the United Kingdom. In colonial times, the Blue Ensign was defaced with a badge to represent oversees colonies. Today, the Blue Ensign is still defaced to form the national flags of several former British colonies (ie, Australia and New Zealand). |
| Cartouche: |
| A heraldric term that describes an oval plaque, disk or frame (other than an escutcheon) in which heraldic insignia is displayed. |
| Charge: |
| Any emblem, object, or design that is placed in the field of a flag regardless of whether it is heraldic in design or not. A charge may also be referred to as a "badge" or an "emblem." |
| Chevron: |
| A heraldic term descirbing a V-shaped charge on the field of a flag. Simple Chevron: the apex of the V points toward the top of the flag, Inverted Chevron: the apex of the V points toward the bottom of the flag, Horizontal Chevon: the apex of the V points toward the fly of the flag, Reversed Chevron: the apex of the V points toward the hoist of the flag. |
| Civic Flag: |
| A flag designed for use in a particular city, either by private citizens or the municipal government. Civic flags are also known simply as municipal flags. The example at right is the civic flag of the City of New Orleans. |
| Coat-of-Arms: |
| The heraldic insignia of an individual or family, of a nation, province, or municipality, or of a corporation or company, containing all of the elements that constitute a full set of armorial bearings. in vexillology, national coats-of-arms are often (but not always) incorporated onto civil flags for use by a national government as a state flag, or on unarmed government vessels as a state ensign. In some countries, such as the UK, amorial bearings are granted by a college of arms or other recognized organization that is given the authority to grant such arms by the government. In other countries, such as the United States, the design and use of heraldic insignia is not so regulated, though traditional rules are often (and should be) followed. The example at right is the national coat-of-arms of Canada. |
| Cottice: |
| One or more narrow stripes added to an existing charge, such as a stripe or cross, but which is separated from the charge by a stripe of the same color as the field behind it. The example at right is the naval ensign of the Ukraine. |
| Counter- changed: |
| A heraldic term used to describe two colors that alternate on either side of a line drawn through a flag or coat-of-arms. The example at right is the flag of Maryland, which uses counterchanged crosses in the 2nd and 3rd quarters. |
| Crescent: |
| A charge in the shape of a crescent moon generally (but not always) displayed with the horns facing toward the fly. The Crescent is generally recognized as the symbol of Islam. The example at right is the national flag of Turkey. |
| Cross: |
| Two bands or stripes that intersect with one another at right angles at some point on the field of a flag, or in the canton or a panel. The arms of the cross generally extend to the edge of the flag If they do not extend to the edge of the flag, the cross is said to be couped (ie, the flag of Switzerland) The example at right is England's Cross of St. George The second example is the couped cross of Switzerland. |
| Deface: |
| The addition of an authorized emblem, badge, shield, or charge to a flag, the intention of which is to change the official pupose or use of the flag. The example at right is the state flag of Guatemala, which is the civil flag of that state defaced with the national coat-of-arms. The defacing of the civil flag with the national coat-of-arms changes the use of the flag from a civil flag (used by private citizens) to a state flag (used only by the government). |
| A pattern that uses a diagonal stripe that reaches from the upper hoist to the lower fly through the field. In heraldry, this pattern is known as a bend. The example at right is the old national flag of Bosnia-Herzogevina that uses a descending diagonal, or bend, in the armorial bearings of the badge. (This flag was replaced as the national flag in 1998.) |
| Descending Diagonal: |
| Dipping: |
| The act of lowering a flag or line of flags while in parade or other ceremonial display as an act of salute to an officer, monarch, or head of state or government. |
| Distinguishing Flag: |
| A flag used to indicate the civil position or office of a government minister, including a president. It may also be used to indicate a military rank. The flag of the President of the United States is a distinguishing flag. |
| Emblem: |
| Any design, whether heraldic or not, that is intended to symbolically represent a country, person, or other entity. Emblems may be as complex as a heraldic charge or as simple as a commercial logo. An emblem may also be referred to as a "charge" or a "badge." |
| Escutcheon: |
| A shield or base in which a heraldic charge is placed and displayed. The old national flag of Bosnia-Herzogevina displays such an emblem. |
| Fimbriation: |
| Fimbriation is used to separate two elements of a flag, particularly if they are of the same color, according to the established rules of European heraldry upon which most flags of the world are based. In vexillogical practice, fimbriation is accomplished by adding a narrow band or stripe of contrasting colors to separate two emblems that are displayed on the flag. In the example at right, the flag of Mississippi uses two fimbriations, one to separate the canton from the tri-colors of the field and one to separate the blue saltire from the canton's red field. |
| Flag Family: |
| A group of flags that share a common heritage and whose patterns, colors, and emblems symbolize the same nationalist sentiments, political philosophies, or cultural traits. The flags of many of the Middle Eastern states are all of the same flag family, each utilizing the colors of Pan-Arabism (red, white, black, and green). Most of the flags of the Central American states are also of the same flag family, descended as they are from the same vexillogical ancestor, or archivellium, the flag of the Central American Federation, illustrated at right. |
| Fleur-de-lis: |
| a heraldic charge, often used on flags as well, that is the stylized representation of a lily blossom. Its use is ancient. Originally a religious symbol representing the Blessed Virgin Mary, it became associated with the House of Bourbon, the royal family of France. Under the Fleur-de-lis banner, France built her colonial empire in the 15th-16th centuries. And so it has become a worldwide symbol for France and French culture. Many countries and local regions that were influenced by France incorporate the fleur-de-lis in their flags. The example at right is the provincial flag of Quebec, Canada. |
| Fringe: |
| A border of twisted fabric, usually gold in color, intended to decorate a flag along its edges to set it apart for strictly ceremonial or indoor use. Fringed flags should not be used outdoors, even in parade. |
| Full Mast (Full Staff): |
| The display of a flag at its usual position at the top of a mast or staff just under the trunk, especially after the flag has been displayed at half mast (or staff) during a period of mourning. Note of reference: Masts are on ships, Staffs are on land. |
| Golden Ratio: |
| A ratio, first established by the ancient Greeks, that produces a flag size that is considered to be the most pleasing to view and upon which the elements and charges are the easiest to distingush from a distance. That ratio is generally fixed at either 5:8 or 3:5. It is also sometimes referred to as the Divine Ratio or the Magical Ratio. |
| Gonfalon: |
| A vertically long flag designed to be suspended from a crossbar. They are used primarily as religious banners today, but are also still used extensively in Europe as civic flags, guild flags, and political partisan flags. The example at right is the Gonfalon of the Italian comune (municipality) of Montebuono. |
| Government Flag or Ensign: |
| Another name for a state flag or ensign, used exclusively (or primarily) by a governmental entity, particularly a national government and, in the case of ensigns, on unarmed government vessels. |
| Greek Cross: |
| Gules: |
| A cross with four arms of equal length that stretch across the field of the flag to the edge. If the cross does not stretch to the flag's edge, the cross is said to be crouped. The example at right is the Greek Naval Ensign. |
| The heraldic term for the color of red. |
| Half Mast (Half Staff): |
| The position along a staff or mast that is lower than the normal position from which a flag is flown as a sign of mourning. Generally, the flag is flown with the upper edge at a point that is about 1/3 the total length of the mast or staff below the truck (and not half the total length of the staff as the term implies.). |
| Halyard: |
| A length of rope or cable strung through the truck of a flag staff or mast, from which a flag is hoisted and lowered. |
| Heraldry: |
| The science of granting, devising, blazoning, and identifying the amorial bearings of an individual, institution, or corporation according to an established standard and rules. As a sub-field of heraldry, vexillology borrows heavily from heraldry for the rules and general standards of design for flags. |
| Hoist: |
| 1. The edge of a flag that is designed to be affixed to the halyard and so is thereby the edge from which the flag is "hoisted" and flown. When the flag is displayed flat, the hoist is the left side of the flag while you are looking at it (or the flag's own right). See The Elements of a Flag diagram at the top of this page. 2. A group of flags that are displayed together, particularly a group of signal flags. Example: "A hoist of flags is displayed outside of the United Nations." 3. The act of raising a flag and displaying it from a flag staff or mast. Example: "The Boy Scouts hoisted the flag at their camp." |
| Impale: |
| In heraldry, the act of combining (or mashalling) two arms side by side within a shield or eschutcheon to create a new armorial bearing. This is done to indicate a union by marriage, military treaty, or political agreement. |
| Insignia: |
| All of the emblems of rank and honor that are included in an armorial bearing or coat-of-arms. The ranks and honors so illustrated may be military, religious, political, or royal. |
| Jolly Roger: |
| A black flag, usually incorporating a skull-and-crossbones motif and usually associated with piracy, though it is not known to actually have been used by the pirates of the 16th - 19th centuries as is believed in popular folklore. Today it is flown by submarines of the British Royal Navy to indicate that a particular vessel has sunk a ship. It is also flown aboard ships during the Line Crossing Ceremonies traditionally held by the navies of the UK and her descendents as they cross the equator. |
| Logo: |
| A design or emblem intended to be a visual representation of an individual or corporation. Logos are often placed on simple monochromatic banners to create house flags for large corporations. Logos are also sometimes used, though technnically incorrectly, to create civic flags for municipalities. The example at right is a house flag for the McDonald's Corporation that is created by adding the company's famous and well-known Golden Arches logo. |
| Lozenge: |
| A heraldic term used to describe any diamond-shaped parallelogram. They are not used often in vexillology. One notable exception, however, may be seen on the national flag of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, which uses three such lozenges in its design. |
| Magen David: |
| Also known as the Star of David. It is formed by interlacing two triangles to form a six pointed star. It is the universally recognized symbol of Judaism. It appears on the flag of the modern state of israel. |
| Maltese Cross: |
| A cross design created by pointing four arrowheads toward one another so that their points come together in the center. It is generally a heraldic emblem and not used often on flags. It does, however, appear on the banner of the Military Order of Malta, as illustrated at right. |
| Mullet: |
| The heraldic term for a star, particulary a 5-pointed star. |
| National Ornament: |
| A decorative strip, usually placed along the hoist of a flag, intended to represent a national culture. The example at right is the national flag of Turkmenistan. |
| Nordic Cross: |
| Another name for a Scandinavian Cross. |
| Obverse: |
| The face, or most important side of flag. In Western culture, the obverse side of a flag is that on which the hoist is on the observer's left.; It is the opposite in Arabic culture. The obverse (and reverse) is an important distinction to make, particularly if the design of the reverse side is different from the obverse side. Regardless of whether the two sides are different or the same, the obversre represents the "front" of the flag and should be the display side of the flag when it is layed out flat on a surface or suspended from a crossbar. |
| Or: |
| The heraldic term for the metallic color of gold. In vexillology, it is usually colored with yellow or a darker shade of yellow if available. The true metallic color of gold should never be used on flags. In heraldic descriptions of flags, the color of yellow is always identified as Or. |
| Pall: |
| A heraldic term used to describe a Y-shaped design on a flag or coat-of-arms. It orginated from the pallium, an ecclesiastic vestment that served as the symbol of archepiscopal authority given by the pope to other archbishops. A modern version of a pall may be seen in the post-apartheid flag of South Africa. |
| Pan-African Colors: |
| The pan-national colors of the Arabs are white, black, red, and green.They are used in a family of flags representing many of the Arabic states of the Middle East. The Pan-Arab colors are derived from a line in a poem written by the Arab poet Safi al-Din al H'ly that reads "White are our deeds, black the fields of battle, our pastures are green, but our swords are red with the blood of our enemy." The colors also represent the four great Islamic caliphate dynasties: Red=Hashemites, Green=Fatimid Dynasty of North Africa, White=Umayyad Dynasty of Syria, Black=The Prophet. The archivellium for Pan-Arab flags was the flag of the first Arab revolt in 1917 against European and Ottoman colonialism. An example of this flag is at right. |
| Pan-Arab Colors: |
| The pan-national colors of Africa are green, yellow, and red. They are used in a family of flags representing many of the states of sub-Saharan Africa. The Pan-African colors are derived from the flag of Ethiopia, the archivellium of this flag family. Ethiopia was the only sub-Saharan African state that retained independence throughout the colonial era and served as the national inspiration for European colonies in Africa as they struggled for independence. The example at right is the state flag of Ethiopia. |
| Pan-Slavic Colors: |
| The pan-national Slavic colors are blue, white, and red. They are used in a family of flags representing many of the Slavic states of eastern Europe. The Pan-Slavic colors are derived from the imperial flag of Russia. After the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1992, the imperial flag was readopted by the new Russian Federation. An example of this flag is at right. |
| Personal Flag: |
| A flag intended for the personal use of an individual who has commissioned its design or for the use of his/her family. The most famous personal flag is that of Queen Elizabeth II. This personal flag is intended to be used by the Queen on official visits to countries in which she is not the head of state. It is a flag of royal blue emblazoned with a crowned and torsed capital letter E. Personal flags should not be confused with the house flags of royal families or with a monarch's official standard. The example at right is Queen Elizabeth's personal flag. |
| Pile: |
| A triangular charge in which the base occupies the entire length or width of a flag and in which the apex of the triangle touches the center of the flag's opposite edge. if the apex touches the fly, it is called a simple pile. If it touches the hoist, it is a reversed pile. If the apex touches the top of the flag it is called an upright pile, and if it touches the bottom of the flag it is called an inverted pile. The national flag of Eritrea contains an example of a simple pile. |
| Presidential Standard: |
| A distinguishing flag that represents the office of the president or head of state of a republican state. It may be of a unique design (such as that of the President of the United States) or a defaced version of the national flag (such as that of the President of Chile). The example at right is the Presidential Standard of the President of the United States. |
| Purpure: |
| The heraldic term for the color of purple. It is very rarely used in vexillology. |
| Sable: |
| The heraldic term for the color of black. |
| Safe Conduct Flag: |
| Any one of several flags recognized by the Geneva Convention as a flag that shields medical and relief personnel from military action in times of war or conflict. There are two such flags that are popularly recognized throughout the world: The flag of the Red Cross and the flag of the Red Crescent. Note: white flags are not flags of safe conduct, but are rather flags of surrender. |
| St. Andrew's Cross: |
| A saltire, either white on a blue field, or blue on a white field. It serves as the national flag of Scotland and the Scottish people and also represents, in an unofficial manner, the Russia and the Russian Orthodox Church. In some instances, all saltires, regardless of the color combination, are inaccurately referred to as St. Andrew's Crosses. However, a true St. Andrew's Cross uses the blue and white color combination. The St. Andrew's Cross is combined with the Crosses of St. George and St. Patrick to create the Union Jack of the United Kingdom. (See Saltire below for an example of the St. Andrew Cross..) |
| St. George's Cross: |
| An un-couped red cross on a white field representing England and the English people. The St. George's Cross is combined with the Crosses of St. Andrew and St. Patrick to create the Union Jack of the United Kingdom. |
| St. Patrick's Cross: |
| A red saltire on a white field, usually representing Ireland and the Irish people.It is also used elsewhere in the world, particularly by the American states of Alabama and Florida. The Cross of St. Patrick is combined with the Crosses of St. George and St. Andrew to create the Union Jack of the United Kingdom. At right is the provincial flag of the State of Alabama. |
| Seal: |
| An emblem representing the authority of a government or governmental agency by which the authenticity of documents originating from that government or agency is proven. Such seals represent the government or agency itself. Seals are often included on flags, especially among several of the U.S.states. The example at right is the new flag of the State of Georgia, which incorporates the Seal of Georgia in its canton. |
| Quarter: |
| One of four rectangular panels occupying a shield or banner created by the act of quartering, or diving the field horizontally and vertically. Strictly speaking, the Quarter occupies the upper dexter quadrant of a field that has been so quartered. Several national flags have been quartered, including that of the Dominican Republic as well as Panama, which is illustrated at right. |
| Radiant: |
| The heraldic term for rays that protrude from a central point on a field. Such rays are said to be radiating. Generally, the width of the rays increases at points farther away from the central point. Flags with rays (or radiants) include the provincial flag of the State of Arizona. |
| Rainbow Flag: |
| Any flag displaying stripes, usually horizontal, that alternate with numerous colors in order to display the full spectrum of a rainbow. Such flags usually represent peace, hope, and joy as well as other social and religious movements based on these themes.The most common rainbow flags seen today are the Gay Pride Flag and the Italian Peace Flag. The example at right is the Gay Pride Flag. |
 |
| Red Ensign: |
| The civil ensign of the United Kingdom. It is also used in many states of the former British Empire as civil ensigns. It was also defaced with local badges to create provincial flags in Canada, though this tradition is now retained in only two Canadian provinces as well as a few overseas territories of the UK. |
| Roundel: |
| 1. In heraldry, a roundel is a disc used for any number of purposes, but especially emblazoned with armorial bearings and used to deface a flag to alternate its purpose or symbolism. 2. A circular emblem used on military aircraft to denote nationality. Aircraft roundels usually consist of concentric rings of the national colors. The aircraft roundel at right is an example of that used by the French Air Force. |
| Shield: |
| A more common name for an eschutcheon. A shield is the most basic element of all armorial bearings, forming the field on which charges and other emblems are displayed. They are usually in the form of a medieval battle shield. Shields and the charges displayed on them are often used to deface flags. |
| Sinister: |
| In heraldry, the left side of any heraldic display (shield, coat-of-arms, etc.) from the point of view of the bearer. It is the right side of the observer. "Bearer's left, Observer's right." In vexillology, the sinister is the fly-side of the flag. |
| Reverse: |
| The back side of a flag, particularly on a flag on which the design of the reverse is different from the design of the obverse (or front side). The reverse side of the flag is usually displayed with the hoist on the observers's right. |
| Southern Cross: |
| 1. A representation of the constellation Crux Australis which is used primarily in the Southern Hemisphere where the constellation is most visible. It is used on several flags, most notably the national flags of Australia and New Zealand. The Australian version is illustrated at right. 2. A common (though never official) nickname for the battle flag and naval jack of the former Confederate States of America, the design of which is a traditional symbol of the southeastern states of the U.S. and which is now desecrated by racist groups. |
| Specifications: |
| The detailed description or pattern of a flag's construction, either in writing or by diagram. The result is a standardized pattern that will construct flags all of a uniform size and design. |
| Staff: |
| 1. A flag pole used to hoist a flag on land. 2. The vertical pole at the stern of a ship on which the ensign is hoisted while at sea. 3. A short, usually wooden pole used for displaying a flag indoors. |
| Star: |
| A charge in the form of a geometric shape with rays that radiate from a single point. They are usually white, but may be of any color. They usually have 5 points (a mullet), but may have as few as three (an arrowhead). A star may also be known by the French term estoile. Some stars are designed to represent more specifically the sun, particularly if it is yellow, has a defined central disc, includes a human face, or has wavy rays. Stars are the most common heraldic element used in vexillology. |
| Streamer: |
| A long, narrow ribbon usually attached to a flag staff and inscribed with honors and other achievements, such as those earned on battlefields. |
| Tassels: |
| A decoration of twisted fabric or metal bound together from a central core and hanged from a cord. The cord is usually attached to the top of a staff to decorate a flag for parades and other ceremonies. |
| Tenne: |
| The heradlic term for the color of orange. |
| Torse: |
| The heraldic term for a wreath or garland. An emblem that is surrounded by a garland or wreath is said to be torsed. |
| Tri-Band: |
| A vexillogical design using three bands or panels of only two alternating colors. The bands may be organized horizontally, vertically, or diagonally. The example at right is the tri-band flag of El Salvador's civil flag. |
| Tri-Color: |
| A vexillogical design using three bands or panels of three alternating colors. The bands may be organized horizontally, vertically, or diagonally. The example at right is the tri-color flag of France. |
| Tripartite: |
| A term used to describe a charge, particularly a cross, that has been divided into three colors. An example of a tripartite cross may be seen on the flag of Dominica which uses a cross divided into yellow, black, and white stripes. |
| Truck: |
| Any mechanism affixed to the top of a flag staff or mast that includes a pulley or ring through which a halyard is threaded and is used to hoist or lower a flag. |
| Union Jack: |
| The name of the national flag of the United Kingdom created by combining the crosses of St. George, St. Andrew, and St. Patrick, symbolizing the poliitical union of the kingdoms of England (and Wales), Scotland, and Ireland (now only Northern Ireland). |
| Union Mark: |
| Any flag that symbolizes the unification of two or more territories into a single political unit. The Union Jack is an example of a union mark as is the United States' Old Glory. |
| Vert: |
| The heraldic term for the color of green. |
| Vexilloid: |
| Vexillographer: |
| The professional designer or manufacturer of flags. |
| Vexillology: |
| The science and study of flags, their meanings, and their uses. |
| Vexillum: |
| A military standard used by the armies and legions of the Roman Empire. They were used to identify specific legions and were often adorned with totems adopted by the legions or by images of a particular god or goddess from whom the soldiers of that legion looked and prayed for safety and victory. The vexillum is considered the first true flag used in Europe (and thus in Western culture) and from which the term vexillology is derived. At right is an illustration of the typical vexillum that might have been carried by a legion of the Roman military. |
| A flag (or ensign) used to indicate a nation, army, or vessel in a state of war. According to national custom and law, a war flag is also used separately by a military unit or branch whether at war or at peace to indicate a military operation or establishment. War ensigns are different in design from a state ensign in order to indicate that the vessel is a ship of war and may be armed. |
| White Ensign: |
| The ensign of the British Royal Navy, flown over all ships and other vessels of the Royal Navy and over naval establishments ashore. it consists of the Cross of St. George with the Union Jack in the Canton. |
| White Flag: |
| A battle flag used to indicate the desire for a truce in hostilities. When waved back and forth from a staff or held up by individuals, it is used to indicate willingness to surrender. Established conventions of war dictate that individuals or military units that display a white flag of surrender are not to be fired upon and are to be afforded safe transport to an established point from which surrender may be conducted. |
| Wimple: |
| A long pennant usually in national colors and often flown in place of a national flag in order to prevent a flag staff or mast from remaining empty. In Scandinavia, wimples are often flown in place of a national flag, particularly on private property not generally accessible or seen by the public. |
| Return to SouthBear's Vexillology Page © 2006-2007 SouthBear This page was created on 30 May 2006 in Tupelo, Mississippi Date of Last Revision: 20 January 2007 in Birmingham, Alabama Animated flagpoles: www.fg-a.com |
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| Fly: |
| The end of a flag that is farthest away from the flagpole and this is allowed to "fly" freely in the wind. When the flag is displayed flat, the fly is the right side of the flag as you look at it (or the flag's own left). |
| Badge: |
| A heraldic emblem, or charge, that is superimposed on to a flag's field as the dominant design. It contains all of the heraldic elements, or armorial bearings, that are usually incorporated into a coat-of-arms, but without a shield. |
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| Field: |
| The background or dominant design or color of a flag. |
| Ratio: |
| Also called the Proportion: The relationship of a flag's width to its length,(w:l). This relationship affects its overall shape and size. |
| Canton: |
| The upper hoist corner of a flag that incorporates a separate design from the rest of the flag's field. |
| Length: |
| The measurement of a flag from its hoist to its fly. If the flag is irregularly shaped, its length is measured either along the top or along the greatest length. |
| Hoist: |
| The end of the flag that is closest to the flag staff or mast and from which the flag is "hoisted" to the top of the staff or mast. |
| Width: |
| The measurement of a flag from its top to its bottom taken along the hoist. Technically, the width of the hoist should be the flag's greatest width, including irregularly shaped flags. |
|
| Dictionary of Terms |
| The Elements of a Flag |
| Vexillologist: |
| The practioner or student of the science of Vexillology. Note: Not all vexillologists are vexillographers since not all of them are in the business of designing and manufacturing flags for a profit. |
| Vexillography: |
| The enterprise of designing and manufacturing flags for a profit. |
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