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Dictionary of Vexillology: P (Pigstick - Purpure)

Last modified: 2006-09-30 by phil nelson
Keywords: vexillological terms |
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PIGSTICK
See ‘truck 2)’.
PIKE
In British and some other military usage the staff upon which an infantry colour is carried (see also 'colour 2)', ‘colours 2)’ and ‘staff 2)’).

Please note that the term is derived from the long-shafted spear with which a proportion of infantry were formerly armed, and whilst the term is still applied, the staff may often no longer have a spear point, but may carry a finial of some other design.

PILE
1) On flags, a triangular charge whose base generally occupies the full length or width of a flag, and whose apex touches the centre of its opposite edge. When the apex is on the fly it may be called a simple pile, with the apex on the hoist a reversed pile, with the apex on the top edge an upright pile and with the apex on the bottom edge of the flag an inverted pile (see also ‘triangle’).
2) In heraldry, an elongated triangular charge of no specific width (although it is sometimes stipulated that the pile should be one-third the width of the shield or banner of arms) and is generally (although not invariably) placed with the point downwards.

[flags with pile]
National Flag of Eritrea (fotw)

[flags with pile]
Flag of Houvet, Belgium (fotw)

[flags with pile]
National Flag of Antigua-Barbuda (CS)

[pile]

Please note, however, that on flags a pile whose apex and base do not touch opposite edges of the flag should be considered a triangle (see also ‘triangle’).

PILOT FLAG
That flag which is flown by a vessel requiring or carrying a pilot, now either G for Golf (if requiring a pilot) or H for Hotel (if under pilotage) from the International Code of Signal Flags  (see also ‘International Code of Signal Flags’ and ‘signal flag’).

[pilot flags]
From left: Signal Flag Golf (CS); Signal Flag Hotel (CS); Former Pilot Flag of Belgium (CS)

Please note however, that many countries originally had their own designs for pilot flags, of which the UK version - that is the national flag with a white border - is typical of the type and a rare survival (see ‘civil jack’ under ‘jack’ and ‘pilot jack’). See supplemental note:

PILOT JACK
In UK usage, originally a name for the national pilot flag, now an alternative name for the civil jack (see ‘civil jack’ under ‘jack’, ‘pilot flag’ and ‘union jack’).

[a pilot jack]
UK Pilot Jack (fotw)

PINSEL (or PINCEL)
A triangular pennant used by the authorized representative of a Scottish clan chief in that person’s absence. It has a solid field and is 0.60 x 1.35m long, it is generally charged with the grantee’s crest within an annulet or ring (surmounted by a coronet or bonnet dependent upon rank), and the grantee’s motto (see also ‘annulet’ and ‘ring’).
PIPE BANNER
See ‘bannerette’.
PIRATE FLAG
See 'jolly roger'.
POINTED (or POINT-IN-POINT)
A heraldic term for when the division of a shield forms a chevron – usually with curved sides - at its base - point in point or enty (see also ‘base’, ‘chevron 1)’and ‘shield 1)’)

Pointed example
Flag and Arms of North Rhine – Westphalia, Germany (CS)

POLE
See ‘flag pole’.
POLE MAST
A flagpole that is straight and clear of any projections such as cross bars, yards, or gaffs (see also ‘cross bar’, ‘flag pole’, ‘gaff’ and ‘yard’).

Please note that this term was originally introduced to describe a mast or masts on those steam vessels not equipped with an auxiliary sailing rig.

POLITICAL FLAG
1) The flag, either official (formally adopted) or unofficial (spontaneously displayed by supporters), of a political party or movement.
2) A flag, as opposed to a banner as defined herein, that is specifically designed to express a political or popular sentiment (see also ‘banner 3)’).

[political flags]
From left: African National Congress, RSA; American Indian Movement, USA; Communist Party, UK (fotw)

PORT EPEE
See ‘dress knot’.
POSITION OF HONOUR (OR HONOR)
The position in which the most senior flag, emblem or coat of arms – usually a national flag, emblem or coat of arms - is to be placed. The particulars vary slightly in detail, legal status and extent from country to country; however, the general principles remain the same and are listed in Appendix II (see also ‘rules of etiquette’ and ‘precedence’).
POSITIONAL FLAG
1) In US army usage, that flag which corresponds to a particular position held, rather than to the rank of the officer who currently holds it – but see ‘appointment flag’ (also ‘rank flag 1)’).
2) See ‘distinguishing flag 1)’.

[positional flag example]
Army Surgeon General, US (fotw)

POST FLAG
1) In US military usage, that size of national flag flown regularly over army posts - 10 feet (3 m) wide by 19 feet (5.8 m) long (see also ‘garrison flag’, ‘storm flag’ and ‘war flag’).
2) See ‘postal flag’ below.
POSTAL FLAG (or ENSIGN)
The distinguishing flag of a country’s postal services – a mail flag or post flag (see also ‘mail pennant).

[postal flag - Denmark]
Postal Flag and Ensign of Denmark (fotw)

POSTAL PENNANT
See ‘mail pennant’.
POSTURES
A 16th/17th Century term for the formal flag waving expected of a colour bearer for reasons of either bravado or dignity (see also ‘colour 2)’, ‘colour bearer’, ‘company colours’, ‘ensign 4)’, ‘flag tossing’ and ‘stand 1)’).
PRATIQUE FLAG
See ‘quarantine flag’.
PRAYER FLAG
A small flag, often used in groups and decorated with inscriptions, intended to express a prayer as it flies – characteristic of Buddhists in the Himalayan region (see also ‘thangka’ and ‘religious flag’).
PRECEDENCE
The system often regulated by law, of placing flags, emblems or coats of arms for a display or ceremony in order of importance – for more details see ‘Appendix II’, ‘rules of etiquette’ and ‘position of honour’ (also ‘flag code’ and ‘flag law’).
PRE-HERALDIC
A term that relates to European flags which do not contain any elements derived from heraldry and/or which pre-date the introduction of heraldic symbolism.
PRESIDENTIAL (or PRESIDENT’S) COLOUR (or COLOR)
1) See ‘colour 2)’ and ‘colours 2)’.
2) In largely US usage, a term for the distinguishing flag of a president when displayed indoors or on parade (see ‘presidential standard’ below).
PRESIDENTIAL STANDARD (or FLAG)
That flag which symbolizes the office of president in a republican system of government, often a defaced or decorated version of the national flag (see also ‘deface’, ‘national flag’ and ‘royal standard’).

[presidential standards]
USA Presidential Standard (fotw)

[presidential standards]
Chile Presidential Standard (fotw)

PRIVATE SHIP
In British RN and some other naval usage, a vessel in commission that does not fly the flag of a flag officer or broad pennant of a commodore (see also ‘broad pennant’, ‘flag of command’, ‘flag officer’, ‘flagship’ and ‘masthead pennant 1)’).
PRIVATE SIGNAL
1) See ‘call sign’ and ‘call sign hoist’.
2) See ‘house flag 3)’.
3) A naval term, now obsolete, for a confidential signal used by ships of the same navy to verify each other's identity (see also ‘make her number’).
PRIVATEER JACK
In UK usage, a special jack for vessels engaged in privateering and flown from 1694 until 1856 – the distinction jack or budgee jack (see also ‘budgee flag’, ‘budgee pendant’, ‘jack’ and ‘union jack’).

[privateer jack]
Until 1801, UK (CS)

PRIZE FLAG
A special flag flown by a yacht that has won a race (see also ‘racing flag’).
PROCESSIONAL BANNER
See ‘banner 3)’.
PROPER
(adj) A heraldic term for an object - a plant or animal for example – that is shown in its natural form and colours as opposed to being stylized (see also ‘Appendix IV’).
PROPORTIONS
1) The relationship between the width and length of a flag, usually expressed in that order that is, for example 1:2, but sometimes also in the reverse or 2:1 (see also dimensions', ‘length’ and ‘width’)
2) The relative dimensions of two or more stripes or bands within a flag, (whether disposed vertically horizontally or diagonally) - internal proportions (see also ‘stripe’).

proportions example

PROTEST BANNER
See ‘banner 2)’.
PROVINCIAL FLAG
See ‘sub-national flag’ and ‘state flag 2)’.
PULLDOWN
In US usage a flag (or bunting in flag colours) that is displayed flat against a wall for decoration (see also ‘bunting 2)’.
PULLEY
See ‘sheaved block’.
PURPURE
A heraldic term for the colour purple (see also ‘Appendix III’ and ‘rule of tincture’).