Important Flag Terms
Glossary of helpful flag terms and phrases commonly used in vexillology.
1 ply. The flag is printed properly on one side, while the reverse side of the flag shows the mirror image.
2 ply. The flag is printed and then sewn together with a liner. Both sides of the flags read the same.
Badge. See charge.
Banner. A flag or cloth draped or stretched between two anchor points, usually bearing a slogan.
Bicolor. A flag of two colors, usually in equal fields. Bicolors are generally horizontal (i.e. Ukraine or San Marino) or vertical (i.e. Malta or the Vatican).
Block Out liner. This type of liner is used for white or light colored fabrics in order to prevent a see-through appearance on the opposite side. The liner is very heavy and will only be used when requested.
Bordering . A mostly obsolete practice of stitching a flag in a different color than the field, either for decorative purposes or to prevent fraying.
Bunting.Decorative flag, usually hung horizontally or between two anchor points.
Burgee. A triangle piece is cut from the right side of the flag. Used for yacht clubs, maritime flags and some state flags.
C anton. The upper hoist corner of a flag, separate from the main field. In U.S. or British Commonwealth flags, this is also called the union.
Charge. An emblem, object, or design superimposed on the field(s) of a flag. A coat of arms or simple heraldic device used as a charge is sometimes called a badge.
Civil flag. The version of the national flag for use by the private citizens of a country.
Commission pennant. A pennant, sometimes very long, flown from the main mast of a naval vessel t indicate commissioned status in the national service.
Defacing. Changing a flag by adding something to it, such as a charge, badge or writing. Used especially on colonial flags. Note that this term does not have the common meaning of "vandalizing" when used in vexillology.
Differencing. The design of a flag as a variation of another flag, either by changing a color, adding or removing a charge, etc. Usually done to indicate a close cultural, historical, or geographic tie. For example, the Italian flag was differenced from the French flag by changing the blue stripe to green.
A method of saluting with a flag. Using a hand-held flag, the flagstaff is brought down to an almost horizontal level, with the flag almost trailing the groun
Dipping. d, then raised smartly back to its original position. Using a flag on a mast or pole, the flag is lowered a few widths and again raised elegantly back to its original position.
Ensign. A flag used by ships at sea. Nations may have civil, state, and war ensigns.
Field. The background or predominant color of a flag.
Fimbriation. A thin stripe placed around a field or charge of a (usually) contrasting color to make the charge stand out more, or to avoid violating the rules of heraldry.
Finial. The adornment on the end of a flagstaff or flagpole.
Fly. The edge or end of a flag furthest away from the pole.
Grommet . A small brass ring stamped in the flag, usually at the corners. Grommets are most useful when flags are being flown from an outdoor flag pole or boat to maximize the appearance of the flag.
Guidon. A small swallowtail flag used in the U.S. military by formations below the battalion level.
Halyard. A rope used to raise a flag.
Header. A heavy cloth strip, usually canvas, sewn to the hoist edge of a flag and often grommeted for hoisting.
Hoist. The edge or end of a flag nearest to the pole. Commonly shown on the spectator’s left.
Honor point. The region on a flag where the color or charge with the symbolism is placed, usually located on the upper left corner.
House flag. A corporate or personal flag which does not necessarily signify nationality or citizenship.
Individual flag. Used in U.S. Military to denote an officer's rank.
Jack. A small flag designating nationality, flown from the bow of a naval vessel while docked.
Length. The distance of a flag measured straight from hoist to fly.
Pale. A square or rectangle in the center of a flag covering half the length of the flag, such as used on the Canadian flag.
Pennant. Any triangular or roughly triangular flag, also called a pennon.
Ratio. The proportionate relationship of a flag's width to its length, e.g. France is 2:3; Germany is 3:5, Russia is 1:2.
Saint Andrew's Cross. A cross from corner to corner of the flag, forming an X. Also called a saltire. Properly, it is a white cross on blue, and as such is the civil flag of Scotland.
Saint George's Cross. A cross with arms vertical and horizontal, forming a + sign, extending to the edges of the flag. In its most accurate presentation it’s a red cross on white, and as such is the flag of England.
Scandinavian cross. A Saint George's Cross off-centered towards the hoist, as seen in Scandinavian and Nordic flags.
Sleeve. A separate sheet of material that is attached to the side or top of the flag in order to accommodate a pole. The default material is an off-white canvas. The sleeve can be made of the same material as the flag upon request but is usually not as strong as the canvas.
Streamer. A long, narrow flag most commonly used for decorative purposes.
Swallowtail. A flag which comes to two or three points at the fly end, similar to a burgee cut.
Trailing. A rare method of saluting using a flag on a pole. The flag is lowered until it just touches the ground for a few seconds, then raised elegantly back up the pole. Practiced in some monarchies as a salute to a royal member.
Triband. A flag of three stripes which are usually equal in size, arranged either horizontally (such as the flag of the Netherlands and Lithuania) or vertically (such as the flag of France, Peru, and Belgium). The flag of France is often called "Le Tricolore" termed for its three different colors.
Vexilloid. A rigid sign carried on a pole, especially those used by ancient Roman legions to identify units. The forerunners of modern flags.
Vexillogram. A picture or design specification of a flag.
Vexillographer. Individual who designs flags.
Vexillology. The academic study of flags. The term was coined by Dr. Whitney Smith of the Flag Research Center.
Vexillophile. A flag collector or flag enthusiast.
War flag. The version of the national flag for use by a country's armed forces.
Width. The height of a flag along the hoist.