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Dictionary of Vexillology: A (Abased - Appointment Flag)

Last modified: 2008-01-05 by phil nelson
Keywords: vexillological terms |
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ABASED
(adv) A heraldic term for when the main ordinary on a shield, banner of arms or flag is placed in a lower position than is usual (see also ‘bend sinister’ in ‘Appendix VI’, ‘enhanced’ and ‘ordinary’).

[Lesotho - abased example]
National Flag of Lesotho, 1987-2006 (fotw)

ABSENCE (or ABSENTEE) PENNANT (or FLAG)
1) In widespread naval usage, one of four pennants (the first to the fourth substitute in the ICS) displayed in port when the commanding officer of a ship or the flag officer or civil official whose flag is flying in the ship is temporarily absent from the vessel (see also 'international code of signal flags’ and ‘international code of signals’).
2) See ‘owner absent flag’.

[absence example]
From left: First Substitute (Flag Officer Absent), ICS Second Substitute (Chief of Staff Absent), ICS Third Substitute (Captain Absent), ICS Fourth Substitute (Civil/Military Official Absent)

ACCRETION
A term sometimes used by textile experts involved in fabric conservation, and describes the soiling, mildew damage or other defects that occur on the surface of a flag.
ACHIEVEMENT (OF ARMS)
1) See ‘armorial bearings’.
2) All the armorial bearings of a deceased person as displayed at that person’s funeral – a funeral achievement or hatchment (see also ‘armorial bearings’, ‘badge banner’, ‘bannerole’, ‘coat of arms’, ‘great banner’ and ‘grumphion’).

Please note with regard to 2) that if all the armorial bearings of a deceased person are displayed on a flag they become a great banner, or if less than all a bannerole, both as referenced above.

ACTION PENNANT
See ‘paying off pennant’.
ACTIVE
A term used to describe when the rays of a star or sun emblem, or a radiating stripe, are shown with undulating or wavy curves – see ‘active and inactive’ below, ‘inactive’ (also ‘radiating’, ‘star’ and its following note).
ACTIVE AND INACTIVE
A term used to describe when the rays of a star or sun emblem are shown with alternating wavy and straight rays (see also ‘active’ above, ‘inactive’, ‘star’ and its following note).

[Active/Inactive example] [absence example]
The Sun and Star of May, Argentina and Uruguay (fotw)

ADDITION(S) OF HONOUR (or HONOR)
See ‘augmentation of honour’.
ADVANCE THE COLOUR/COLOURS (or COLOR/COLORS)
(v) A military term originally for moving a flag forward towards an enemy, and now used on ceremonial occasions as a command to parade the colour(s) forward (see also ‘colour 2)’, ‘colours 2)’, and ‘parade flag’).
ADVERTISING BANNER
See ‘banner 4)’.

[advertising banner]

ADVERTISING PULLDOWN (or PULL-DOWN)
See ‘pulldown’.
AIR FORCE FLAG (or ENSIGN)
See ‘branch of service flag’ (also ‘armed services flag’ and ‘ensign 2)’).

UK Air Force Ensign
Air force Ensign, UK (fotw).

AIRCRAFT MARKING
See ‘fin flash’ and ‘roundel 1)’.
AIRCRAFT INSIGNIA
A recently redefined term that is intended to cover all markings of nationality on the wings, fuselage and tail fins of primarily (but not exclusively) military aircraft (see also ‘fin flash’ and ‘roundel 1)’).

Please note however, that the term has been in use by the US military for at least 50 years and refers to those markings on the tail fins of primarily (but not exclusively) military aircraft.

AIRFIELD FLAG
In largely US usage, an orange and white checkered flag flown on equipment operating on an airfield (see also ‘checky’).
ALFAQUAQUUS
The medieval term, now obsolete, for a person who is entitled to carry his banner erect on the King’s highway.

This word is recorded as having a Spanish origin (which remains unproven) however, the extent to which it was used in English medieval manuscripts is not known.

ALFERES (or ALFEROUS)
A late 17th early 18th Century term, now obsolete, for a ‘standard bearer’.

Please note, it is suggested that the alternative form was sometimes used in medieval manuscripts, and note also the relationship between this term and the Spanish military rank of alfιrez or ensign (see also ‘ensign 5)’.

ALLEGORY
The term for a pictorial illustration on flags with symbolic meaning, and whose imagery is usually intended to convey a moral and/or political message.

[absence example]
Command Flag of the Batavian Republic 1797, The Netherland (fotw)

ALLUSIVE ARMS
See ‘canting’.
ALQUILIFER
A bearer of the ancient Roman legionary eagle - see 'eagle 2)' (also 'vexillary' and 'vexilloid').
ALTEMA
A medieval term, now obsolete, for the upper part of the cart upon which the standard was placed (see also ‘carrocium’, ‘gajardus’ and ‘standard 6)’).
AMBASSADORIAL (or AMBASSADOR’S) FLAG
See ‘diplomatic flags’.
ANCIENT  (or ANSHENT)
1) In heraldry, a coat of arms or charge formerly in use but now replaced by another design which is then termed modern such as, for example, Austria ancient and Austria modern.
2) A 16th/17th Century term, now wholly obsolete, for a ship’s stern mounted ensign, or military colour whether displayed ashore or afloat - an auncient (see also ‘ensign 1)’ and ‘colour 2)’).
3) A 16th/17th Century term, now wholly obsolete, equivalent to, and with the same duties as, the later but also obsolete army rank of ensign (see also ‘ensign 3)’ and ‘ensign 4)’).

[ancient example]
From left: Austria Ancient, Austria Modern (fotw)

ANNULET
A ring-like charge in heraldry – see ‘ring’.

Samtgemeinde Velpke, Germany
Flag of Samtgemeinde Velpke, Germany (Jφrg Majewski)

Please note however, it is suggested that a suitable glossary or dictionary of heraldry be consulted for correct usage of this term.

ANTESIGNORY (or ANTESIGNANUS)
A term, now obsolete, for the guard who precedes a standard (see also ‘standard 5)’).

Please note, it is suggested that the alternative form was used in medieval manuscripts.

ANTI-HERALDRY (or ANTIHERALDRY)
A term used to describe the design of those seals and emblems which do not contain (and may have been specifically designed not to contain) heraldic symbolism – for example the seals of many US states widely used on their flags – which are (and were) prepared in the absence of any central heraldic authority (see also ‘heraldry’, ‘emblem 2)’, ‘pre-heraldic’, ‘seal’, ‘seal flag’ and ‘state flag 2)’).

Virginia state seal
State Seal of Virginia, US (ICH)

Please note, it is suggested that the origins of any such rejection of heraldic symbolism may be traced to the American War of Independence and French Revolution, and to the consequent official reaction against all things connected with royalty and the nobility.

ANTIQUE CROWN
A heraldic term for a type of coronet generally comprising of a circlet with triangular rays all round (see also ‘coronet’).

[antique crown]
(Parker)

APPLIQUΙ
(n & v) A method of flag manufacture in which one or more pieces of cloth are stitched on the field to form a design. This technique is often used where the design on the obverse differs from that on the reverse (see also ‘obverse’ and ‘reverse’).
APPOINTMENT FLAG
1) In UK and other military usage, that flag which corresponds to a particular position held, rather than to the rank of the officer who currently holds it - but see ‘positional flag’ (also ‘class flag’ and ‘rank flag 1)’).
2) See ‘distinguishing flag 1)’.

[appointment flag example]
RAF Station Commander, UK (Graham Bartram)

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