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Dictionary of Vexillology: I (Iberian Cross - Inflamed)

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IBERIAN CROSS
IMPALE
IMPALE(D) BY DIMIDIATION
IMPERIAL DRAGON FLAG
IN ABEYANCE
IN BASE
IN BEND
IN BEND SINISTER
IN CHIEF
IN FESS
IN PALE
IN SALTIRE
INACTIVE
INCENSED
INCLINED FLY
INCRESCENT (or INCREMENT)
INDENTED
INDENTATION(S)
INDIVIDUAL FLAG.
INDOOR FLAG
INESCUTCHEON
INFLAMED

IBERIAN CROSS

See ‘cross of calatrava’.

IMPALE

1) (v) In heraldry a term for the marshalling (or placing) of two sets of arms side-by-side on a shield or banner of arms to indicate marriage or alliance – empale (see also ‘coat of arms 2)’, ‘dimidiated’ and ‘entire')

2) (v) On flags as above, but the images placed on a flag need not be arms as defined herein.

Flag of Overassel, Netherlands (fotw)

Flag of The Orkneys, UK (fotw);

NY & NJ Port Authority, US (fotw);

English Naval Jack – Royalist - 1643 (CS)

IMPALE(D) BY DIMIDIATION

See ‘dimidiated’ and following note.

Flag of Lehe, Germany (fotw); Arms and Flag of Kaly. Czech Republic (fotw)

IMPERIAL DRAGON FLAG

See ‘dragon flag 2)’.

IN ABEYANCE

The term used when a flag or office is no longer in current use, but which may be re-introduced at some future date – with examples being the rank flag of Marshal of France (which office has no extant holder) and the broad pennant of a commodore first class (a rank in abeyance since 1958) – see also ‘broad command pennant 1)’ and ‘rank flag 1)’).

Rank Flag of a Marshal of France (fotw); Former First Class Commodore’s Broad Pennant, UK

IN BASE

The heraldic term used when a charge or charges appear in the lower part of a shield, banner of arms or flag that is otherwise undivided – see ‘base 1)’ (also ‘abased’, ‘banner 1)’ and ‘shield’).

IN BEND

The heraldic term used when an object, charge or charges on a shield or banner of arms are placed diagonal from top left to bottom right across the field (see also ‘bend’ in ‘appendix VI’ and ‘per bend’).

Chief of Naval Staff, Italy fotw)

IN BEND SINISTER

The heraldic term used when an object, charge or charges on a shield or banner of arms are placed diagonally from bottom left to top left right across the field (see also ‘bend sinister’ in ‘appendix VI’ and ‘per bend sinister’).

Flag of Altenhof, Germany (fotw)

IN CHIEF

The heraldic term used when a charge or charges appear in the upper part of a shield, banner of arms or flag that is otherwise undivided – see ‘chief’ (also ‘banner 1)’, ‘enhanced’ and ‘shield’).

IN FESS

The heraldic term used when an object, charge or charges on a shield or banner of arms appear in a horizontal position – fesswise (see also ‘fess’ in ‘appendix VI’ and ‘per fess’).

Flag and Arms of Biljie, Croatia (fotw)

IN PALE

The heraldic term used when an object, charge or charges on a shield or banner of arms appear in a vertical position – palewise (see also ‘pale’ in ‘appendix VI’ and ‘per pale’).

Flag and Arms of Stankovci, Croatia (fotw)

IN SALTIRE

The heraldic term used when two separate objects or charges are placed across each other diagonally on a flag, shield or banner of arms - saltirewise (see also ‘saltire’ and ‘per saltire’.

Mozambique emblem (fotw)

INACTIVE

In vexillology a term that may be used to describe when the rays of a star or sun emblem, or a radiating stripe, are straight-edged – see ‘active’ (also ‘active and inactive’, ‘radiating’ and ‘star’ and its following note and ‘sunburst’).

INCENSED

1) The heraldic term for when a wild beast has fire issuing from its mouth or eyes.

2) A term sometimes incorrectly used in place of ‘inflamed’ – see ‘inflamed’.

Flag and Arms of Styria. Austria (fotw); Arms of Maria Alm am Steinernen Meer, Austria (ICH)

Please note that only a wild beast should be described as “incensed”, and that other charges are “inflamed”.

INCLINED FLY

A term used when the fly of a flag is cut diagonally so that the upper length of the flag is greater than its lower length – a type largely limited to Central Europe (see also ‘length 1)’, ‘schwenkel’ and ‘swallow-tail(ed)’).

From left: Flag of Jarocin, Poland (fotw); Flag of Pleszew, Poland (fotw); Flag of Janow, Poland (fotw)

Please note that this is not an established term, but has been introduced by the Editors since no suitable (or suitably descriptive) alternative could be found.

INCRESCENT (or INCREMENT)

See ‘moon 2)’ with following note.

INDENTED

See ‘dancetty’.

INDENTATION(S)

A term that may be used to describe the shape remaining at the fly of a flag or pennant where that fly has been cut into two or more tails - see ‘swallow-tail(ed)’ (also ‘hussar cut’, ‘palm’, ‘pennant 2)’, ‘swallow-tail and tongue’ and ‘tongues’).

INDIVIDUAL FLAG.

In U.S. army usage, a flag denoting an officer's rank – see ‘rank flag 1)’ (also ‘distinguishing flag 3)’, ‘flag of command’ and ‘personal flag 4)’).

INDOOR FLAG

A flag made expressly for display inside a building and sometimes fringed. It is often made from more costly materials, has embroidered detail, and is fitted with a sleeve for attachment to a staff – a dress flag or flag of ceremony (see also ’ceremonial ensign/flag 2)’, ‘cord’, ‘embroider’, ‘fringe’, ‘sleeve 2)’, ‘staff 2)’ and ‘tassels’).

INESCUTCHEON

The heraldic term for one shield appearing within another (usually – but not invariably - at its centre point) or on a banner of arms (see also ‘banner 1)’, ‘coat of arms’ ‘escutcheon’ and ‘overall’).

Royal Standard 1700 – 1759, Spain (fotw); Flag and Arms of Milki, Poland fotw)

Please note, some heraldic sources propose that this term should also be used when more than one shield appears within another, but it is suggested that a suitable glossary or heraldic dictionary should be consulted for further information.

INFLAMED

The heraldic term used when a charge is shown with flames coming from it – enflamed or flamed – but see ‘incensed 1)’.

Flag and Arms of Gornja Stubica, Croatia (fotw); Flag of Geroldswil, Switzerland (fotw); Arms and Flag of Bonfim, Portugal (Sergio Horta)

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