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Dictionary of Vexillology: E (Eagle - Eyelet)

Last modified: 2006-09-30 by phil nelson
Keywords: vexillological terms |
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EAGLE
1) The name given to a French military colour whose staff displayed a finial in the form of a gilded eagle, used during the Napoleonic era and later Second Empire and based on the eagles of ancient Rome (see 2) below, ‘finial’ and also ‘colour 2)’).
2) The vexilloid carried as a main standard by ancient Roman legions - the aquila (see also ‘aquilifer’, 'signum 1)', ‘standard 5)’, 'vexillary and ‘vexilloid’).

Please note that during the Napoleonic era the eagle-topped staff alone usually acted as a regimental standard whilst on campaign, with the colour itself being retained at a regimental depot.

EAST-WEST DIAGONAL
A diagonal stripe that runs from the lower hoist corner to the upper fly corner, whose corners generally touch the corners of the flag but whose width is entirely contained within the width of the flag – a reduced bend sinister. See ‘bend’ in Appendix VI (also ‘ascending diagonal’, ‘descending diagonal’, ‘north-south diagonal’, ‘south-north diagonal’ and ‘west-east diagonal’).

[east-west diagonal]
The flag of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil (fotw)

EDGING
See ‘fimbriation’.
EMBATTLED
(adj) A heraldic term for where a division in the field of a banner of arms or shield is indented like a castle battlement (see also ‘armorial bearings’, ‘banner 1)’, ‘coat of arms 2)’ and ‘shield’).
EMBLEM
1) Generically, a design, whether heraldic or otherwise, that is symbolic of a country, entity or person.
2) Specifically, a design of heraldic or other symbols which is not a set of armorial bearings/coat of arms or a badge as defined herein. In a commercial context a logo is often used as an emblem (see also ‘badge’, ‘coat of arms’ ‘emblem, military and governmental’, 'emblem, state and national' and 'charge').
Emblem, Military or Governmental
A design of heraldic or other symbols which is not a set of armorial bearings/coat of arms or a badge as defined herein, but which is used to denote a particular branch or division of the military, or a specific department within a government structure – but see ‘badge 3)’ (also ‘coat of arms’, ‘emblem 2)’, ‘emblem, state and national', 'charge' and ‘logo’).

[government and military emblem]
National Defence Force, RSA (fotw).

Emblem, State or National
A design of heraldic or other symbols which is not a set of armorial bearings/coat of arms or a badge as defined herein, but which is used to fulfil the function of a coat of arms in a national context. National emblems often epitomise the individuality and/or spirit of the state, and can be placed on a flag to distinguish it from others, which may be similar – as, for example, those on the civil ensign of Italy and national flag of Mexico (see also ‘badge’, ‘coat of arms’, ‘emblem 2)’ 'emblem, military and departmental', and 'charge').

[state or national emblem]
National Emblem, Mexico (fotw).

Please note however, that the emblems of some countries such as those of Mexico (as shown above), or of Italy – whilst conforming to the definition as detailed herein – are officially described as “coats of arms”.

EMBROIDER
(v) The use of needlework to create or enhance a design - employed especially on military colours and flags for indoor display (see also 'colour 2)', 'colours 2)’ and ‘indoor flag’).
EMPALE
See ‘impale’.
ENCENIATOR
A medieval term, now obsolete, for a mounted standard bearer.
ENDORSE
See 'palet' in ‘Appendix VI’.
ENGRAILED
(adj) A heraldic term for where a division or charge on the field of a banner of arms or shield is cut into a series of indented curves or half circles strung together - that is with the half-circles facing inward and points outward (see also ‘armorial bearings’, ‘banner 1)’, ‘coat of arms’, ‘invected’, ‘shield’, and ‘scalloped’).

[engrailed example]
Flag of Genthod, Switzerland (fotw)

ENHANCED
A heraldic term for when the main ordinary on a shield, banner of arms or flag is placed in a higher position than is usual (see also ‘abased’ and ‘ordinary’).

enhanced examples

Please note however, that enhanced has a slightly different meaning when applied to the vexillological terms enhanced bend and enhanced bend sinister given below.

ENHANCED BEND
See ‘north-south diagonal’ (also ‘ascending diagonal’, ‘bend’ in Appendix VI, ‘descending diagonal’, 'east-west diagonal', ‘south-north diagonal’ and ‘west-east diagonal’).

[enhanced bend example]

ENHANCED BEND SINISTER
See ‘south-north diagonal’ (also ‘ascending diagonal’, ‘bend sinister’ in Appendix VI, ‘descending diagonal’, ‘east-west diagonal’, ‘north-south diagonal’ and ‘west east diagonal’).

[enhanced bend sinister example]

ENSIGN
1) A flag used at sea to denote nationality - or the national flag for use at sea - and whose usage falls into one of the several categories listed separately below. The ensign is generally displayed on a staff at the stern of a vessel, or from the peak of the gaff of a sailing vessel if so rigged, or in the case of a naval ship, from either an ensign staff or from the rigging, with this latter usually depending on operational requirements and covered under peak (see also ‘peak’). see supplemental note
2) The term may also be applied to the distinctive flags of certain or all the armed services of a particular country (which may also act as flags of national identification) such as the British Air Force Ensign or South African Police Service Ensign.
3) The rank or distinguishing flag of a military or government service formerly used as an ensign (under definition 1) and still so called for historical reasons – for example the U.S. Coast Guard and Customs ensigns.
4) A largely (if not wholly) obsolete alternate name for a military colour (see also ‘ancient 2)’ and ‘colour 2)’).
5) An obsolete name for the lowest commissioned rank in the British Army, being that rank responsible for carrying the regimental colour (see also ‘ancient 3)’).
6) In heraldry the correct, although little used, term for the armorial bearings of a kingdom, of an office or of a community - insignia (see also ‘armorial bearings’, ‘ensign-banner’ and ‘insignia’).
7) The lowest commissioned rank in the United States Navy and some others.
Civil Ensign
A flag flown by civilian owned vessels and craft to denote nationality – a merchant ensign or merchant flag.

[civil ensign example]
Civil Ensign of Columbia (fotw)

Customs ensign
See ‘customs flag’ (also ‘government ensign’ below).
Government (or State) Ensign
A flag flown to denote nationality by those government vessels that are not warships, sometimes defaced by badges to denote various departments – but see ‘archivexillum)’.

[government (state) ensign example]
From left: Government Ensign of Singapore (fotw); Royal Maritime Auxiliary, UK (Graham Bartram)

Please note however, that the defaced Blue Ensigns of British Dependent Territories act as both an official flag on land, and as a Government Ensign when flown by a Government owned vessel at sea.

Naval Ensign
A flag flown by the naval vessels of a particular country to denote nationality.

[naval ensign example]
Naval Ensign of The RSA (fotw)

Reserve Ensign
A flag, different from the normal civil ensign, which is flown to denote nationality by merchant vessels commanded by an officer of that country’s naval reserve, and usually requiring a special Warrant (see also ‘civil ensign’ above).

[naval ensign example]
Reserve Ensign of The Netherlands (fotw)

War Ensign
See ‘naval ensign’ above (and also ‘war flag’).
Yacht (or Leisure) Ensign
A flag, different from the normal civil ensign, which is flown by leisure craft to denote nationality, usually requiring a special Warrant and often defaced by an appropriate club emblem (see also ‘civil ensign’ above).

[yacht ensign example]
Yacht Ensign of Spain (fotw)

ENSIGN-BANNER
A rectangular flag with a field and fringe/border in the livery colours of a coat of arms, and charged with the full set of armorial bearings (see also ‘armorial bearings’, ‘charged’, ‘coat of arms’, ‘ensign 5)’, ‘insignia’ and ‘livery colours’).

Please note that the provenance of this term is uncertain, however, a possible derivation from insignia-banner (as opposed to armorial banner) cannot be ignored.

ENSIGN OF HONOUR (OR HONOR)
In largely Russian naval usage, the term for a defaced ensign awarded to vessels that have particularly distinguished themselves, and have received a decoration (see also ‘defaced’ and ‘ensign 1)’).
ENSIGN STAFF
The short staff at the stern of a ship upon which the ensign is hoisted (see also ‘ensign 1)’, ‘jack staff’ and 'staff 1)').
ENSIGNED
A basically heraldic term for when a charge is placed above or on top of another. For example, a badge with a crown placed above it would be said to be ensigned with the crown.
ENTIRE
A heraldic term used when a coat of arms is shown in its entirety but which is impaled with another that is dimidiated (see also ‘coat of arms 2)’, ‘dimidiated’ and ‘impale’).
ENTY
See ‘pointed’.
EQUIPOLLE
See ‘checky’.
ERASED
See ‘Appendix V’.
ESCUTCHEON
The heraldic term for a shield or base upon which charges or quarterings are placed (see also ‘charge’, ‘quartering’, ‘lozenge’ and ‘shield’).
ESTABLISHMENT OF ARMS
An alternative name for full set of armorial bearings (see also ‘armorial bearings’ and ‘coat of arms).
ESTOILE
See ‘star 2)’.
ETALON FLAG
See ‘type flag’.
EVENING COLOURS (or COLORS)
See ‘sunset’.
EVOLUTE
(v) A largely US term for the unrolling of a flag that has been stored rolled around a tube (see also ‘unfurl’).
EX-VOTO FLAG
A flag, usually small and plain, displayed (especially by Hindus) to fulfil a religious vow (see also ‘religious flag’).
EYE SPLICE
A closed loop at the end of a rope or halyard formed by splicing the end of the rope back into itself to form an eye – a running eye (see also ‘running eye and toggle’ and ‘becket’).
EYELET
See ‘grommet’.