New Zealand Flag Institute

GLOSSARY

 

 

 

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Azure -

In heraldry, the colour blue.

 

BADGE -

A distinctive emblem added to a FLAG or SHIELD. Badges are often based on arms, or seals. Badge are often added to a flag to distinguish the flag from another similar flag. Examples include the Queen’s Personal Flag for New Zealand, which has the New Zealand scroll to distinguish it from the flags of other Dominions. See also CHARGE.

 

BANNER -

A term with many meanings. Banner may mean:

1) A flag-like object draped or stretched between two anchor points, poles, or crossbars. Usually bearing a slogan or mottoo.

2) A flag with heraldic arms overall (i.e. not on a shield, but occupying the whole flag). Often called a heraldic banner or AMORIAL BANNER. The Royal Standard is one example.

3) Any flag carried by a military unit.

4) Mediaeval men-at-arms bore pennons (pointed flags) with their personal arms. A gentleman could be knighted on the field of battle. This was symbolized by the end of the pennon being cut off. The resulting square flag was called a banner, and the knight a knight-banneret.

5) Colloquially, any flag.

 

BASE -

The foot part of FLAG or a SHIELD.

 

BATTLE ENSIGN -

Traditionally, a flag carried by military forces on land. Also see BATTLE FLAG, and WAR FLAG.

 

BATTLE FLAG -