A VOCABULARY OF VEXILLOLOGY or…Words Used in the Study of Flags

BASIC FLAG VOCABULARY  field – the background area of a flag; also called the “ground”  charge – an emblem or symbol in the center of a flag  canton – the top quarter of a flag nearest the flagpole

WORDS TO DESCRIBE WHAT YOU MIGHT FIND ON A FLAG  BICOLOR – 2 bands of color, either horizontal or vertical

WORDS TO DESCRIBE WHAT YOU MIGHT FIND ON A FLAG  TRICOLOR – 3 bands of color, either horizontal or vertical

WORDS TO DESCRIBE WHAT YOU MIGHT FIND ON A FLAG  QUARTERED – a field divided into 4 equal quarters

WORDS TO DESCRIBE WHAT YOU MIGHT FIND ON A FLAG  TRIANGLE – features a triangle of any size

WORDS TO DESCRIBE WHAT YOU MIGHT FIND ON A FLAG  CROSS – a center cross that divides the field

WORDS TO DESCRIBE WHAT YOU MIGHT FIND ON A FLAG  SCANDINAVIAN CROSS – a cross that divides the field in which the vertical is left of center

WORDS TO DESCRIBE WHAT YOU MIGHT FIND ON A FLAG  SALTIRE – an X-shaped cross

WORDS TO DESCRIBE WHAT YOU MIGHT FIND ON A FLAG  COUPED CROSS – a flag that features a cross with arms that do not reach the edges of the flag.

WORDS TO DESCRIBE WHAT YOU MIGHT FIND ON A FLAG  FIMBRIATION – a narrow band that acts as a border between 2 colors

WORDS TO DESCRIBE WHAT YOU MIGHT FIND ON A FLAG  SERRATION – a zigzag edge like the teeth on a saw

WORDS TO DESCRIBE WHAT YOU MIGHT FIND ON A FLAG  A bordered flag has a distinct border around the entire flag, like that of the Maldives.  BORDER - A bordered flag has a distinct border around the entire flag, like that of the Maldives.

ANOTHER TYPE OF FLAG  BURGEE - A burgee is a long, tapered flag or pennant that ends in a swallowtail (having two points, like that of a swallow's tail).

RATIO  RATIO - the ratio of a flag is its proportions - the height divided by the width. The ratio of a flag's dimensions are usually reported as something like 2:3, which would mean that the height is 2/3 of the width, or 1:2, which would mean that the height is half the width.

COLOR SYMBOLISM BLACK BLACK Black often represents determination, ethnic heritage, and/or defeating one's enemies. BLACK Black often represents determination, ethnic heritage, and/or defeating one's enemies. BLACK BLUE BLUE Blue often represents freedom, vigilance, perseverance, justice, prosperity, peace, and/or patriotism. BLUE

COLOR SYMBOLISM GREEN GREEN Green can symbolize the Earth, agriculture, fertility, and/or the Muslim religion. GREEN Green can symbolize the Earth, agriculture, fertility, and/or the Muslim religion. GREEN RED RED Red often represents courage, revolution, hardiness, blood, and/or valor. RED

COLOR SYMBOLISM WHITE WHITE White often represents peace, purity, mountain snow, and/or innocence. A simple white flag represents surrender. RED RED Red often represents courage, revolution, hardiness, blood, and/or valor. RED

COLOR SYMBOLISM YELLOW (GOLD) YELLOW (GOLD) Yellow often represents the sun, wealth, and/or justice. YELLOW (GOLD) Yellow often represents the sun, wealth, and/or justice. YELLOW (GOLD) source: Col, Jeananda. Enchanted Learning ary.shtml ary.shtml accessed 5/28/09