Vexillology Terms
A glossary of flag terminology, design concepts, and vexillology vocabulary. Each term includes a definition, related concepts, and examples from flags in our database.
B
Badge
An emblem or device, often placed on a flag to identify a particular nation, organization, or office. Badges are commonly added to ensigns or plain-colored fields.
Bicolor
A flag composed of two differently colored horizontal or vertical stripes. One of the simplest and most common flag designs.
Blazon
A formal description of a flag or coat of arms using the specialized language of heraldry. Blazoning allows the precise reproduction of a design from its written description alone.
See also: vexillology, coat of arms
Bunting
Loosely woven fabric, usually of wool or synthetic fiber, traditionally used for making flags. Also refers to decorative strings of small flags or colored cloth.
See also: banner
C
Canton
The upper hoist (left) quarter of a flag, considered the position of honor. The canton of the United States flag, for example, contains the blue field with white stars.
Charge
Any emblem, symbol, or device placed on a flag. Common charges include stars, crescents, crosses, eagles, and coats of arms.
See also: emblem, badge, coat of arms
Coat of Arms
A heraldic design on a shield, often incorporated into flags. Many national flags feature their country's coat of arms as a central element.
Cockade
A circular emblem, typically made of ribbon or fabric, worn on a hat or lapel to show allegiance. The colors of a cockade often correspond to a national flag.
Crescent
A curved shape resembling the moon in its first or last quarter, frequently used as a charge on flags, particularly those of Muslim-majority nations.
Cross
One of the most common charges in flag design. Variants include the Greek cross (equal arms), the Scandinavian/Nordic cross (offset to the hoist), and the saltire (diagonal cross).
See also: nordic cross, saltire, charge
D
Defacement
The addition of a badge, emblem, or other charge to a plain flag. In vexillology, this term is neutral and does not imply damage or vandalism.
E
Emblem
A pictorial symbol or device used to represent a nation, organization, or concept. On flags, emblems are often placed at the center of the field.
See also: charge, badge, coat of arms
Ensign
A flag flown by a ship to indicate its nationality. Types include the civil ensign (merchant ships), naval ensign (warships), and state ensign (government vessels).
See also: jack, badge, defacement
F
Field
The entire background area of a flag on which charges, stripes, or other elements are placed. A plain field is a flag of a single solid color.
Fimbriation
A narrow border or edging of a different color separating two areas of a flag that would otherwise touch. Fimbriation is used to maintain contrast and prevent color clashes in heraldic design.
G
Gonfalon
A banner that hangs from a horizontal crossbar, often with several tails or streamers at the bottom. Historically used by Italian city-states and the Catholic Church.
H
Half-Mast
The position of a flag when it is flown partway down from the top of the flagpole as a sign of mourning or distress. The flag is first raised to the peak, then lowered to half-mast.
Halyard
The rope or line used to raise and lower a flag on a flagpole. The halyard runs through a pulley (truck) at the top of the pole.
J
Jack
A flag flown from the bow (front) of a naval vessel, usually when at anchor. The term "Union Jack" for the United Kingdom's flag derives from this naval usage.
N
O
Obverse
The front side of a flag, which faces the observer when the flagpole is to their left. Most flags are identical on both sides, but some have different designs on the obverse and reverse.
See also: reverse
P
Pan-African Colors
The combination of red, black, and green (or red, gold, and green) used on many African flags to symbolize African unity, heritage, and hope. Popularized by the Ethiopian flag and Marcus Garvey.
See also: pan slavic colors, tricolor
Pan-Arab Colors
The combination of black, white, green, and red found on many flags of Arab nations. These colors represent different Arab dynasties: Abbasid (black), Umayyad (white), Fatimid (green), and Hashemite (red).
See also: pan slavic colors, tricolor
Pan-Slavic Colors
The combination of red, white, and blue found on many flags of Slavic nations. These colors were adopted at the Pan-Slav Congress of 1848, inspired by the Russian flag.
See also: pan african colors, tricolor
Pennant
A long, narrow, tapering flag, often triangular. Pennants are commonly used in naval signaling, sports, and as decorative flags.
Pennon
A small, elongated flag tapering to a point, historically attached to the lance of a knight. Similar to a pennant but specifically associated with heraldic tradition.
R
Ratio
The proportional relationship between a flag's height (hoist) and width (fly), expressed as height:width. Common ratios include 2:3 (most nations), 1:2 (United Kingdom), and 10:19 (United States).
Reverse
The back side of a flag, which faces away from the observer when the flagpole is to their left. On most flags, the reverse is a mirror image of the obverse.
See also: obverse
S
Saltire
A diagonal cross in the shape of an X, also known as a Saint Andrew's cross. A prominent design element in several national flags.
See also: cross, nordic cross, charge
Seal
An official emblem or device, often circular, placed on a flag. Several U.S. state flags and national flags use their official seal as the central design element.
See also: emblem, coat of arms, charge
Staff
The pole or mast from which a flag is flown. Also called a flagstaff or flagpole. The design of the staff and its finial (top ornament) can carry symbolic meaning.
Standard
A flag identifying a head of state, military unit, or other authority. In modern usage, refers specifically to the personal flag of a monarch or president.
Star
One of the most widely used charges in flag design. Stars can vary in the number of points (five-pointed being most common) and may represent states, provinces, ideals, or geographic features.
T
Triband
A flag design featuring three vertical stripes. Distinguished from a tricolor by having the stripes run vertically rather than horizontally.
Tricolor
A flag composed of three horizontal stripes of different colors. One of the most common flag patterns, especially in Europe, popularized by the French Revolution.
V
Vexillographer
A person who designs flags. The term comes from the Latin "vexillum" (flag) and the Greek "graphein" (to write or draw).
See also: vexillology, vexillologist
Vexillologist
A person who studies the history, symbolism, and usage of flags. Vexillologists may work in academic, governmental, or design contexts.
See also: vexillology, vexillographer
Vexillology
The scholarly study of flags, including their history, symbolism, and usage. The term was coined in 1957 by Whitney Smith, combining the Latin "vexillum" with the Greek "-logia" (study).
See also: vexillologist, vexillographer
Vexillum
A type of flag used by Roman legions, consisting of a cloth draped from a horizontal crossbar attached to a staff. The vexillum is the origin of the word "vexillology."
See also: vexillology, gonfalon