- 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 ADJUTANT
- In US Navy and some other usage, the title carried by the aide to a flag officer
the loop or loop but see flag lieutenant
(also flag officer 3)).
- FLAG ARMS
- A term used when the arms that appear on a flag are officially different from the
relevant national or provincial coat of arms or emblem (see also
armorial bearings and
coat of arms)
From left: The Flag Arms and National Arms of Peru; The
Flag Arms and Provincial Arms of Saxony, Germany (fotw)
- FLAG BADGE
- See lapel flag 1).
- FLAG BAG
- In US Naval usage, a colloquial term for the bridge locker in which signal flags and
ensigns etc are stored (see also flags 1)
and signal flag).
- 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 BOOK (or FLAGBOOK)
- A collection of flag images and/or of flag information illustrated with such
images, that is published in book form or as a loose-leaf folder (see also
flag chart and flag plate).
- 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 CANTON
- See canton flag.
- 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 CHART
- A collection of flag images produced on a single sheet, that is displayed
fully opened out and often rolled up or folded for storage (see also
flag book and flag plate).
- 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 DESIGN COMPETITION
- A competition (either official or unofficial) that invites designs from which a new
or replacement flag may be selected - usually by a committee appointed for that purpose (
see also ausflag and flag proposal).
- 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).
From left: Alert and Salute only; Courtesy Salute Only, RN (Graham Bartram).
- FLAG DISCRIMINATION
- The often legal requirement for shippers to choose the national flag carrier,
airline or shipping company over others (particularly but not exclusively foreign
lines) when shipping goods or transporting people (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 builders 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').).
A Flag of Gran Columbia 1819 - 1830 (fotw); Civil Flag/Ensign of Venezuela (fotw);
Civil Flag/Ensign of Ecuador (fotw); Presidential Flag of Columbia (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 (or LEGISLATION)
- The legal means, by which any constituted authority establishes, regulates,
defines or amends a flag (see also Appendix II,
flag code, flag etiquette,
official flag 1),
precedence,
position of honour,
specification sheet and
type flag/a>).
- FLAG LIEUTENANT
- In British RN and some other usage, the title carried by the aide to a flag officer
- but see flag adjutant (also
flag officer 2)).
Please note that the title derives from that officers former
principal responsibilities (now superseded by modern communications methods) for the
handling of an admirals flag 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.
