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Dictionary of Vexillology: F (Flag - Flagship)

Last modified: 2006-09-30 by phil nelson
Keywords: vexillological terms |
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FLAG
1) Generically, any piece of cloth (occasionally paper, plastic or metal) usually with provision for attaching by one edge to a staff or halyard, generally (but not exclusively) intended to fly freely in the wind, and which by displaying the colours and/or the charges upon it, to act as a mark of identity, rallying point or signal.
2) See ‘flag down, to’.

Please note with regard to 1) however, that the above is not meant to be in anyway exclusive, that flags are divided into many different categories by their shape, function and/or design, and that these are accordingly listed separately herein.

FLAG BELT
A leather strap worn around the waist and neck, with a supporting leather socket into which the bottom end (or foot) of the staff is fitted, and which assists a marching standard/colour bearer to support its weight – a colour belt or sling (see also ‘colour bearer’, ‘pike’, ‘staff 2)’ and ‘standard bearer’).
FLAG BURNING
The wanton destruction of a flag by public burning, usually (but not exclusively) for political motives (but see also ‘rules of preservation and disposal’ in ‘Appendix II’).
FLAG CARRIER
1) An airline – and in the past also a shipping line – that is considered to represent the nation concerned and whose aircraft will usually carry a representation of the national flag (see also ‘national flag’).
2) An airline or shipping line whose aircraft or ships are registered in a given country and entitled to fly or display its flag.
FLAG CHARGE
A charge placed specifically on the field of a flag (see also ‘charge’).
FLAG CODE
A set of protocols to govern the correct and respectful usage of the national flag. In some countries these are enforceable by law, but in others they remain recommendations only – see Appendix II (also ‘flag etiquette’, ‘flag law’, ‘rules of respect’ and ‘position of honour’).
FLAG DAY (or FLAG WEEK)
1) A holiday, commemorative day or other period of time for the affirmation of patriotic values expressed in and through the national flag (see also ‘flag flying days’ and ‘national flag’).
2) In UK usage, the term that describes a charity event during which donations are acknowledged by the receipt of a paper flag (see also ‘flag flying days’ and ‘lapel flag 2)’).
FLAG DISC (or DISK)
In the British Royal Navy and in some others, an (appropriate) metal disc displayed on boats carrying an officer of flag rank to indicate whether that officer expects full ceremonial passing honours, or whether they are proceeding informally and only require normal side party salutes (see also ‘boat flag 3)’, ‘flag officer’ and ‘royal plate’).

flag disc
From left: Alert and Salute only; Courtesy Salute Only, RN (Graham Bartram).

FLAG DISCRIMINATION
The choice of a flag carrier over another airline or shipping company (particularly but not exclusively a foreign line) especially when required by law (see also ‘flag carrier’).
FLAG DOWN, TO
(v) To signal a vehicle to stop or slow down as a warning of danger or obstruction on a road or railway, by waving a (usually) red flag, slowly up and down, or by using only the hand by day or torches by night in similar fashion (see also 'flag')."
FLAG ETIQUETTE
The international customs applicable to the display of flags when flying together – see ‘Appendix II’ and 'rules of etiquette' (also ‘flag code’, ‘flag law’ and ‘position of honour’).
FLAG EXCHANGE
A term – and a direct translation of the German flaggenwechel – used to describe the point during the fitting out of a vessel when the builder’s house flag is replaced with that of its new owners (see also ‘launching flags’).
FLAG FAMILY
A group of flags that share a common heritage or feature, usually shown in either the colours used or the design employed, or in both (see also ‘core flag’, ‘difference’, 'pan-African Colours', 'pan-Arab Colours' and 'pan-Slavic Colours').).

[flags of command]
From left: Arab Revolt Flag 1917 (fotw); The National Flag of Jordan (fotw); The National Flag of the Sudan (fotw); The National Flag of the United Arab Emirates (fotw)
FLAG FLYING DAYS
An official list of occasions upon which flags must be flown, generally (but not exclusively) from public buildings (see also ‘flag day’).

Please note that the list of flag flying days usually refers only to the relevant national flag, but that there are several exceptions.

FLAG LAW
The legal means, by which any constituted authority establishes, regulates, defines or amends a flag (see also ‘Appendix II’, ‘flag code’, ‘flag etiquette’, ‘precedence’ and ‘position of honour’).
FLAG LIEUTENANT
In British RN and some other usage, the title carried by the aide to a flag officer (see also ‘flag officer 2)’.

Please note that the title derives from that officer’s former principal responsibilities (now superseded by modern communications methods) for the handling of an admiral’s signal traffic.

FLAG MAST (or FLAGMAST)
See ‘flag pole’ (also ‘mast’, ‘pole mast’, 'staff 2)' and ‘stayed mast’).

Please note that the terms flagstaff, flag mast and flag pole may be considered as interchangeable, but that ‘mast‘ and ‘staff’ when used alone have specific meanings.

FLAG OF CEREMONY
See ‘indoor flag’.

Please note - not to be confused with a ceremonial flag as listed separately herein.

FLAG OF COMMAND
1) In naval usage, the rank flag of an officer entitled to fly a flag or broad pennant when that officer is appointed to command naval forces (see also ‘broad pennant’, ‘command pennant’, ‘flag officer’, ‘flagship’ and ‘wear’).
2) An alternative term for a rank flag (see also ‘distinguishing flag 3)’, ‘individual flag’, ‘personal flag 4)’, ‘rank flag)’.

[flags of command]
From left: Fleet Admiral, USN (fotw); Admiral. USN (fotw); Vice Admiral, USN (fotw); Rear Admiral, USN (fotw); Rear Admiral (lower half) USN (fotw)

Please note, that although these terms are sometimes considered interchangeable, the Editors have drawn a general distinction between the command flags used by senior naval officers, the rank flags employed by officers from the other armed services, the distinguishing flags of civilians and with personal flags. Please note also, that a further distinction has been drawn between the flag of command which replaces the masthead pennant, and command pennants which do not.

FLAG OF CONVENIENCE
The flag flown by a vessel registered in one country, but whose owners are not nationals of that country, and usually for reasons of economy or the evasion of more stringent regulations elsewhere.
FLAG OF DEFIANCE
A plain red flag widely used in European waters prior to the invention of flag signal codes to signify an intention to give battle – the bloody flag (see also ‘baucans’).

Please note that although in widespread use prior to this date, the flag of defiance did not appear in English naval Instructions until 1647 (and was dropped in 1799).

FLAG OF DISTRESS
1) Flag V (Victor) in the International Code of Signal Flags flown at sea as a request for assistance.
2) Flags N (November) and C (Charlie) hoisted as a group at sea to indicate that a vessel is in distress.
3) In US usage, an orange flag bearing a black square and disk in the centre prescribed by the US Coast Guard for use by small boats and pleasure craft in the territorial and inland waters of the USA.

[flags of distress]
From left: 1) Signal Flag Victor
2) - 3) November–Charlie
4) US Signal

Please note that, whilst some may still acknowledge an upside-down ensign as a signal of distress, it is no longer recognized under international rules; and that the waft, also previously used, is now entirely obsolete (see also ‘International Code of Signal Flags’, ‘signal flag’ and ‘waft’).

Also please note that according to the US Coast Guard regulations the orange flag should be either square with vertically arranged symbols as illustrated above, or rectangular with the square and disc horizontal, and that a very similar signal is recommended in the ICS for identification from the air (see also ‘International Code of Signals’).

FLAG OF ST GEORGE
See ‘St George’s Cross 2)’.
FLAG OF THE MARINE CORPS
See ‘branch of service flag’ (also ‘armed services flag’ and ‘battle colour’).
FLAG OF TRUCE
A plain white flag displayed as a sign of surrender, or as a wish for the temporary cessation of hostilities – a parley flag (see also ‘cartel flag’).
FLAG OFFICER
1) A naval officer entitled to fly a flag of command, which replaces the masthead pennant when that officer is aboard ship (see also ‘command pennant’, ‘flag of command’, ‘flagship’ and ‘masthead pennant 1)’).
2) In the British Royal Navy and others, as above but an officer over the rank of commodore (see also ‘broad pennant’ and ‘flag of command’).
FLAG PATCH
A small representation of a flag sewn or otherwise fixed onto an item of clothing, usually but not invariably on the upper sleeve, and often used by military personnel – a shoulder patch.
FLAG PLEDGE
See ‘flag salute’.
FLAG POLE (or FLAGPOLE)
The post of wood, metal or a synthetic material upon which a flag is hoisted by means of a halyard, - a flag mast or flag staff, but see ‘outrigger pole’ (also ‘finial’, ‘halyard’, and ‘truck’).

Please note however, that the terms flag staff, flag mast and flagpole may be considered as interchangeable, but that mast and staff when used alone have specific meanings (see also ‘mast’ and ‘staff 2)’).

FLAG PROTOCOL
See ‘flag etiquette’ (also ‘Appendix II’).
FLAG SALUTE
1) An oath of allegiance through a ceremony involving the national flag – flag pledge. Flag salutes are required of military personnel in most countries, but when done by civilians, it is usually (but not invariably) out of custom.
2) A term also sometimes used to indicate a salute made with a flag – as in for example - a merchant vessel dipping its flag to a warship (see also ‘dipping’).
3) See ‘salute to the flag’.
FLAG SLING
See 'flag belt'.
FLAG STAFF (or FLAGSTAFF)
See ‘flagpole’ (also 'mast' and ‘staff’).

Please note that the terms flagstaff, flag mast and flagpole may be considered as interchangeable, but that mast and staff when used alone have specific meanings (see also 'mast' and ‘staff 2)’).

FLAG STATE
The country in which a vessel or aircraft is registered, documented or licensed, and whose flag it is entitled to display.
FLAG-TOSSING
A sport and folk custom, particularly of Italy and Switzerland, in which flags are twirled and tossed in the air – a survival and extension of the standard 17th Century military practice of postures (see also ‘palio’ and ‘postures’).

Please note that an unrelated local ceremony of flourishing flags, called casting the colours, occurs annually in Selkirk, Scotland.

FLAG-WAVING
Use of the national flag, literally or figuratively to justify actions or principles, or to excite patriotic fervour.
FLAGOID
A recently coined, term which is used to describe the illustration of a flag, or of a flag-like object, which is not intended to represent any flag in actual use, but which has the backing of some credible source and/or which employs a widely recognized emblem as part of its design – but see ‘fictional flag’ and ‘fictitious flag’. For example the official coat of arms of the Mexican province of Hidalgo includes the national flag of Mexico and a flagoid (a non-existent blue rectangular version of the Guadeloupe processional banner known to have been in use c1810).

[flagoid example]
The Arms of Hidalgo (fotw)

FLAGS
1) In US naval usage, a traditional nickname for signalmen whose duties include the display and care of signal flags and ensigns – but see ‘bunting tosser’ (also ‘yeoman of signals’).
2) In British Royal Navy and some other usage, a traditional nickname for the flag lieutenant – see ‘flag lieutenant’.
FLAGSHIP
A naval vessel flying the flag of a flag officer or the broad pennant of a commodore (see also ‘broad pennant’, ‘flag of command’ and ‘flag officer’).

Please note that in British RN and some other usage, a naval vessel in commission which does not carry an officer described above is a ‘private ship’ (see also ‘command pennant’, ‘masthead pennant 1)’ and ‘private ship’).