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

A VOCABULARY OF A VOCABULARY OF VEXILLOLOGYVEXILLOLOGY

or…Words Used in the Study of or…Words Used in the Study of FlagsFlags

BASIC FLAG VOCABULARYBASIC FLAG VOCABULARY

fieldfield – the background area of a flag; also – the background area of a flag; also called the “ground”called the “ground”

chargecharge – an emblem or symbol in the – an emblem or symbol in the center of a flag center of a flag

cantoncanton – the top quarter of a flag nearest – the top quarter of a flag nearest the flagpole the flagpole

WORDS TO DESCRIBE WHAT WORDS TO DESCRIBE WHAT YOU MIGHT FIND ON A FLAGYOU MIGHT FIND ON A FLAG

BICOLOR – 2 bands of color, either BICOLOR – 2 bands of color, either horizontal or verticalhorizontal or vertical


TRICOLOR – 3 bands of color, either TRICOLOR – 3 bands of color, either horizontal or verticalhorizontal or vertical


QUARTERED – a field divided into 4 QUARTERED – a field divided into 4 equal quartersequal quarters


TRIANGLE – features a triangle of any TRIANGLE – features a triangle of any sizesize


CROSS – a center cross that divides the CROSS – a center cross that divides the fieldfield


SCANDINAVIAN CROSS – a cross that SCANDINAVIAN CROSS – a cross that divides the field in which the vertical is divides the field in which the vertical is left of centerleft of center


SALTIRE – an X-shaped cross SALTIRE – an X-shaped cross


COUPED CROSS – a flag that features a COUPED CROSS – a flag that features a cross with arms that do not reach the cross with arms that do not reach the edges of the flag. edges of the flag.


FIMBRIATION – a narrow band that acts FIMBRIATION – a narrow band that acts as a border between 2 colorsas a border between 2 colors


SERRATION – a zigzag edge like the SERRATION – a zigzag edge like the teeth on a sawteeth on a saw


BORDER - A bordered flag has a distinct A bordered flag has a distinct border around the entire flag, like that of border around the entire flag, like that of the Maldives.the Maldives.

ANOTHER TYPE OF FLAGANOTHER TYPE OF FLAG

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

RATIORATIO RATIO - the ratio of a flag is its RATIO - the ratio of a flag is its

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

COLOR SYMBOLISMCOLOR SYMBOLISM

BLACKBLACKBlack often represents determination, ethnic Black often represents determination, ethnic heritage, and/or defeating one's enemies. heritage, and/or defeating one's enemies.

BLUEBLUEBlue often represents freedom, vigilance, Blue often represents freedom, vigilance, perseverance, justice, prosperity, peace, perseverance, justice, prosperity, peace, and/or patriotism. and/or patriotism.


GREENGREENGreen can symbolize the Earth, Green can symbolize the Earth, agriculture, fertility, and/or the Muslim agriculture, fertility, and/or the Muslim religion. religion.

REDREDRed often represents courage, revolution, Red often represents courage, revolution, hardiness, blood, and/or valor.hardiness, blood, and/or valor.


WHITE WHITE White often represents peace, purity,

mountain snow, and/or innocence. A simple white flag represents surrender.

REDREDRed often represents courage, revolution, Red often represents courage, revolution, hardiness, blood, and/or valor.hardiness, blood, and/or valor.


YELLOW (GOLD)YELLOW (GOLD)Yellow often represents the sun, wealth, Yellow often represents the sun, wealth, and/or justice.and/or justice.

source: Col, Jeananda. Enchanted Learning. source: Col, Jeananda. Enchanted Learning. http://www.EnchantedLearning.com 1996 http://www.EnchantedLearning.com 1996

http://www.enchantedlearning.com/geography/flags/http://www.enchantedlearning.com/geography/flags/glossary.shtmlglossary.shtml

accessed 5/28/09accessed 5/28/09

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

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