When it comes to learning about flags – and this is true of world flags as well as national, state and many other types, it helps to understand what the author or speaker is sating. As in every type of study, a specific language or jargon has developed. There are certain terms that are used to describe flags. They have evolved over the years and are used in books and online to differentiate between, elaborate on or describe specific characteristics of vexillology.
Vexillology is the term for studying flags, including world flags. It is of late origin. American Dr. Whitney Smith used it in his work in 1959. The word stuck. To facilitate matters, below is a succinct glossary of several basic terms you may run across when looking into the topic of flags.
Basic Terms
When it comes to understanding discussions on flying world flags, it helps if you understand certain basic terms. These describe and are applied to the flag In other words, these refer to the parts of the flag.
- Notional parts: There are five. They are the hoist, the center, the fly, the top and the bottom. The bottom and top are self explanatory. The hoist is the third of the flag closest to the flagpole. It may also be used to define the width of a flag. The fly is the two-third portion of the flag which is farthest from the flagpole. It may also be used to describe the length of a flag.
- Edges: Each flag has four edges: the Hoist edge, the fly edge, the top edge and the bottom edge
- Corners: Each flag also has four corners: these are the upper hoist, the lower hoist, the upper fly and the lower fly
Special Terms
Beyond the basic terms used by those who study flags, is a whole world of jargon. Below are some of the more common terms describing specific types of flags and other related terms:
- Couped Cross: refers to a cross on a flag whose arms do not reach as far as the edges e.g. Switzerland
- Ensign: Describes a flag used at sea. May or may not duplicate the national flag
- Field: The background of a flag
- International Flag: Flags of an international organization e.g. the International Red Cross
- Saltire: The cross is formed using equal arms stretching diagonally across the flag e.g. Jamaica
- Service Flag: One used by departments in the government or by vessels in the service of the government
- Swallow Tail: A flag that has a piece cut out of its fly. Commanding naval vessels often fly this type of flag
When it comes to understanding world flags, it always helps if you have a grasp of the basic terminology. If you are really interested and wish to expand, go to your library or online to discover more about the world of vexillology.
