A Guide to Speaking Flag

Like the study of insects is named entomology, and that of gypsies is called tsiganology, the study of flags is vexillology [vexillum = flag/banner (Latin) + logia = study (Greek)].

A Roman vexillarius, or standard bearer, of the Legio Septime Gemina

Like many domains of study, vexillology has its own vocabulary of technical terms and jargon that is used as a form of shorthand in referring to various aspects related to flags.  These terms are useful when describing specific flags and their properties – particularly for a blog such as this.  The most common of these terms include:

Relating to the dimensions of a flag:

Fly:  The part of a flag farthest away from the flagpole

Hoist: The part of a flag nearest to the flagpole

Length:  The span of a flag along the side at right angles to the flagpole

Width:  The span of a flag down the side parallel to the flagpole

Relating to the design and colours of a flag:

Field: The background of the flag –  usually the predominant colour

Canton: A quarter of the flag – usually refers to the upper left (hoist) quarter

Charge: A badge, emblem or other symbol that appears in the field of the flag

Badge: A coat of arms or other heraldic symbol

Fimbriation: A a narrow edging or border, often in white or gold, that separates two colours in a flag

The Green Ensign, used by Irish merchant vessels. The flag consists of a green field, charged with a golden harp and a canton containing the British Union Flag.

Terms for common geometrical flag designs:

Quarterly: A flag divided in four equal quarters (cantons)

Pales:  A flag divided into three vertical bands

Fesses: A flag divided into three horizontal bands

Saltire: A flag with a diagonal cross

Scandinavian Cross: A flag with a cross, of which the vertical arm is positioned more towards the hoist

Panama’s quarterly of white, red and blue

A blue Scandinavian cross, fimbriated in white, on a field of red [Norway]

The red, white and blue fesses of Croatia, charged with the national coat of arms

A red saltire, fimbriated in white, on a field of blue [The flag of Potchefstroom]

The Belgian pales of black, yellow and red