Flag terminology is the nomenclature, or system of terms, used in vexillology, the study of flags, to describe precisely the parts, patterns, and other attributes of flags and their display.
Generically, a synonym for a flag of any kind, and in heraldry specifically, a square or rectangular flag whose design is identical to the shield of a coat of arms; also denominated a banner of arms.
A version of a national flag that represents and may be restricted in use only to the national government and agencies thereof; the design of many state flags consists of the civil flag (see above) defaced with a coat of arms or other heraldic charge.
A figure or symbol appearing in the field of a flag.
Emblem
A device often used as a charge on a flag. It may be heraldic in origin or modern, for example the maple leaf on the Canadian Flag.
Field
The background of a flag; the color behind the charges.
Fimbriation
A narrow edging or border, often in white or gold, on a flag to separate two other colors. For example the white and gold lines of the South African Flag.
Finial
A decorative or protective cap atop the flagpole. Often shaped like a sphere, but can also be a shape with heraldic significance, such as a spear or an eagle. Sometimes referred to as a capper.
Fly
The half or edge of a flag farthest away from the flagpole. This term also sometimes refers to the horizontal length of a flag.
A style of flag display where the flag is flown at least the width of the flag between the top of the flag and the top of the pole.
Hoist
The act or function of raising a flag, as on a rope.
Lower
The act or function of taking down a flag, as on a rope.
Illustrationsedit
Flag illustrations generally depict flags flying from the observer's point of view from left to right, the view known as the obverse (or "front"); the other side is the reverse (or "back"). There are some exceptions, notably some Islamic flags inscribed in Arabic, which is written from right to left; for these the obverse is defined as the side with the hoist to the observer's right.
^For example, 36 US Code provides: "The flag should never be displayed with the union down, except as a signal of dire distress in instances of extreme danger to life or property."
Referencesedit
^Nelson, Phil (30 September 2006). . Flags of the World. Archived from the original on 19 May 2012. Retrieved April 2, 2021.
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Flag terminology is the nomenclature or system of terms used in vexillology the study of flags to describe precisely the parts patterns and other attributes of flags and their display Contents 1 Flag types 2 Flag elements 3 Basic patterns 4 Techniques in flag display 4 1 Illustrations 5 See also 6 Notes 7 References 8 External linksFlag types editBanderole or bannerol Main article Banderole A small flag or streamer carried on the lance of a knight or a long narrow flag flown from the masthead of a ship Banner Main article Banner Generically a synonym for a flag of any kind and in heraldry specifically a square or rectangular flag whose design is identical to the shield of a coat of arms also denominated a banner of arms Burgee Main article Burgee A distinguishing flag of a recreational boating organisation which commonly has the shape of a pennant Civil ensign merchant flag or merchant ensign Main article Civil ensign A version of a national flag that is flown on civil ships to denote their nationality Civil flag Main article Civil flag A version of a national flag that is flown on civil installations or craft Colour or color Main article Military colours standards and guidons The flag of a military unit Corner flag Main article Football pitch Pitch boundary A small flag flown at each of the corners of a football pitch or other sports field Courtesy flag or courtesy ensign Main article Maritime flag Courtesy flag A flag that is flown on a visiting ship in foreign waters as a sign of respect for the foreign nation Ensign Main article Ensign The flag of any ship or military unit or generically a synonym for any kind of flag On ships an ensign is normally flown at the stern Fanion Main article Fanion A small flag that the French military uses Gonfalon gonfanon or gonfalone Main article Gonfalon A heraldic flag that is suspended and pendent from a crossbar Guidon Main article Military colours standards and guidons A small flag that a military unit flies in Scottish heraldry a smaller version of the standard see below Jack Main article Jack flag A flag flown from a short jackstaff at the bow of a ship Pennon or pennant Main article Pennon A flag that is wider at the hoist than at the fly Pipe banner Main article Pipe banner A decorative flag for Scottish Highland bagpipes Prayer flag Main article Prayer flag A kind of flag that is flown along mountain ridges and peaks in the Himalayas in order to bless the surrounding land Rank flag or distinguishing flag Main article Maritime flag Rank flags A flag that a superior naval officer flies on his flagship or headquarters Signal flag Main article Flag signals A flag or pennant that communicates or signals information that is not heraldic Standard Main article Heraldic flag Heraldic standard In heraldry a long tapering flag that bears heraldic badges and the motto of the armiger it may also refer to a military colour that cavalry units fly or a royal standard of a monarch or member of a royal family State flag or governmental flag Main article State flag A version of a national flag that represents and may be restricted in use only to the national government and agencies thereof the design of many state flags consists of the civil flag see above defaced with a coat of arms or other heraldic charge Vexilloid Main article Vexilloid A flag like object that is used in a similar symbolic manner as a flag but that differs from a conventional flag in some way Vexillum Main article Vexillum A flag like object that is suspended from a horizontal crossbar the Ancient Roman army used it as its military standard War flag military flag or battle flag Main article War flag A variant of a national flag that a nation s military forces use on land Windsock Main article Windsock A conical textile tube that is used to indicate the direction and strength of wind Flag elements edit nbsp Parts of a flag Badge A coat of arms or simple heraldic symbol Canton Main article Canton flag Any quarter of a flag but commonly means the upper hoist quarter such as the field of stars in the flag of the United States or the Union Jack in the Australian Flag Charge A figure or symbol appearing in the field of a flag Emblem A device often used as a charge on a flag It may be heraldic in origin or modern for example the maple leaf on the Canadian Flag Field The background of a flag the color behind the charges Fimbriation A narrow edging or border often in white or gold on a flag to separate two other colors For example the white and gold lines of the South African Flag Finial A decorative or protective cap atop the flagpole Often shaped like a sphere but can also be a shape with heraldic significance such as a spear or an eagle Sometimes referred to as a capper Fly The half or edge of a flag farthest away from the flagpole This term also sometimes refers to the horizontal length of a flag Heading Main article Flag Hoisting the flag A piece of loose fabric running along the hoist for attaching a flag to its rope Hoist The half or edge of a flag nearest to the flagpole This term also sometimes refers to the vertical dimension of a flag Length The span of a flag along the side at right angles to the flagpole Width or breadth The span of a flag down the side parallel to the flagpole Basic patterns editFlags often inherit traits seen in traditional European heraldry designs and as a result patterns often share names Name Illustration Example Vertical bisection per pale nbsp nbsp Flag of Algeria Horizontal bisection per fess nbsp nbsp Flag of Indonesia Diagonal bisection per bend nbsp nbsp Flag of Papua New Guinea Diagonal bisection per bend sinister nbsp nbsp Flag of Bhutan Pale nbsp nbsp Flag of Nigeria Fess nbsp nbsp Flag of Austria Bend nbsp nbsp Diver down flag Bend sinister nbsp nbsp Flag of Tanzania Side nbsp nbsp Flag of Pakistan Side sinister nbsp nbsp Canadian Coast Guard Jack Chief nbsp nbsp Flag of New Brunswick Base nbsp nbsp Flag of California Quadrisection per cross nbsp nbsp Flag of Panama Diagonal quadrisection per saltire nbsp nbsp First flag of Peru Greek cross couped cross nbsp nbsp Flag of Switzerland Symmetric cross nbsp nbsp Flag of England Nordic cross nbsp nbsp Flag of Sweden Saltire nbsp nbsp Flag of Scotland Canton nbsp nbsp Flag of Taiwan Border bordure nbsp nbsp Flag of Maldives Pile nbsp nbsp Flag of the Czech Republic Pile throughout nbsp nbsp Flag of Eritrea Chevron nbsp nbsp Flag of NAVA Pall nbsp nbsp Flag of South Africa Arrowhead nbsp nbsp Flag of Guyana Gusset nbsp nbsp Flag of Jubaland Stripes nbsp nbsp The SenyeraTechniques in flag display editDistress Flying the flag upside down note 1 or tying it into a wheft 1 Half mast Main article Half mast A style of flag display where the flag is flown at least the width of the flag between the top of the flag and the top of the pole Hoist The act or function of raising a flag as on a rope Lower The act or function of taking down a flag as on a rope Illustrations edit Flag illustrations generally depict flags flying from the observer s point of view from left to right the view known as the obverse or front the other side is the reverse or back There are some exceptions notably some Islamic flags inscribed in Arabic which is written from right to left for these the obverse is defined as the side with the hoist to the observer s right See also editVexillological symbol Gallery of flags by designNotes edit For example 36 US Code 176 provides The flag should never be displayed with the union down except as a signal of dire distress in instances of extreme danger to life or property References edit Nelson Phil 30 September 2006 Flying flags upside down Flags of the World Archived from the original on 19 May 2012 Retrieved April 2 2021 External links editDictionary of Vexillology at Flags of the World nbsp Heraldry portal Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Glossary of vexillology amp oldid 1217257757 hoist, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
