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Dictionary of Vexillology: A (Armorial Banner - Arrow Cross)

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ARMORIAL BANNER

1) In heraldry see ďż˝banner of arms’.

2) A term that may also be used when the banner concerned contains all or some of the elements from a coat of arms, but where that flag and those arms differ in their layout, and/or in the detail/quantity of any such charges ďż˝ but see ‘armorial flag 2)’ (also ‘coat of arms 2)’.

Armorial Banner and Arms of Aleksandrów Kujawski Rural District according to def 1), Poland (fotw); Arms and Flag of Černotďż˝n, Czechia according to def 2) (fotw)

Please note that the extension of this term, as given in definition 2), has been introduced by the Editors as no established alternative could be found.

ARMORIAL BEARINGS

The heraldic term for all the armorial insignia to which an individual or family, a corporate institution such as a nation, province or municipality, or a commercial enterprise are entitled – an achievement of arms or complete (armorial) achievement or establishment of arms – but see note below for further details (also ‘greater arms’ and ‘state arms 2)’ under ‘arms’, ‘blazon’, ‘coat of arms 1’), ‘quarters’, ‘quartering’ and ‘quarterly’).

Flag of Nottingham, UK (fotw); Armorial Bearings, UK (Graham Bartram); Flag of Saskatoon, Canada (fotw)

Please note, however, that (as is shown above) a full set of armorial bearings can include (for example) shield, supporters, helmet, torse, crest, collar, mantling, compartment, motto etc., and whilst many of the terms used are illustrated in Appendix IV and/or briefly defined herein, it is suggested that a suitable glossary or heraldic dictionary be consulted for full details.

ARMORIAL ENSIGN

1) The term that is used to describe a historical naval ensign which displays a full set of armorial bearings, usually (but not invariably) against a plain field (see also ‘armorial bearings’, ‘armorial flag 1)’, ‘armorial flag 2’ and ‘naval ensign’ under ‘ensign’
2) A newly extended term that is intended to cover a British or British-style ensign (or a canton flag) whose fly is defaced with a set of armorial bearings or the escutcheon therefrom (see also ‘armorial bearings’, ‘blue ensign’, ‘canton flag’, ‘escutcheon’, ‘government ensign’ under ‘ensign’ and ‘red ensign’).

Flag of British Antarctic Territories (fotw); State and War Ensign, Spain 1701-1759 (fotw); War Ensign of Fiji (fotw)

ARMORIAL FLAG

1) Generically, a term that covers any flag showing all or part of an entity’s armorial bearings against a field of any description (see also ‘armorial bearings’, ‘banner of arms’ and ‘coat of arms 2)’).

2) Specifically, a term that may also cover any flag whose main charge is a set of armorial bearings or a part thereof, and which is set against either livery colours or a plain field – but see ‘armorial banner 2)’ and ‘ensign-banner’ (also ‘banner of arms’, ‘charge 2)’, ‘livery colours’, ‘plain 2)’ and ‘seal flag’).

Flag and Arms of Delaware, USA (fotw); Flag of Białogard Rural District, Poland (fotw)

Please note that this term has been introduced by the Editors since no established alternative could be found.

ARMORIAL SAIL

A term for the largely (but not entirely) obsolete practice of having all or a part of a coat of arms displayed on a vessel’s sail (see also ‘armorial bearings’, ‘coat of arms’ and ‘flag sail’).

NCO Naval School, Colombia (fotw)

ARMOURED

1) In vexillology a term that may be used when a human figure, or any part thereof, is clad in armour - but see below.
2) In heraldry see ďż˝harnysed’ and ‘vambraced’.

Flag of Menziken, Switzerland (fotw); Naval Jack of Poland (fotw); Flag of Riva San Vitale, Switzerland (fotw)

ARMS

See ‘armorial bearings’, ‘coat of armsďż˝ and the four sub-headings below.

The Arms of Bilje, Croatia (fotw); Flag of Nottingham, UK (fotw); Arms of Belica, Croatia (fotw)

Greater Arms

In largely northern European usage, an official description for the full set of armorial bearings of a nation or province – big arms or big coat of arms – but see ‘middle arms’, ‘lesser arms’ and ‘state arms 2)’ (also ‘armorial bearings’, ‘coat of arms 1)’ and ‘coat of arms 2)’).

Greater Arms of Sweden and of Hamburg, Germany (fotw)

Lesser Arms

In largely northern European usage, the most simplified form in which the set of armorial bearings of a nation or province may be officially shown – small arms or small coat of arms – but see ‘greater arms’, ‘middle arms’ and ‘state arms 1)’ (also ‘armorial bearings’, ‘coat of arms 1)’ and ‘coat of arms 2)’)

Lesser Arms of Czechia and Hamburg, Germany (fotw)

Middle Arms

In largely northern European usage, a simplified form in which the set of armorial bearings of a nation or province may be officially shown – but see ‘greater arms’, ‘lesser arms’ and ‘state arms 1)’ (also ‘armorial bearings’, ‘coat of arms 1)’ and ‘coat of arms 2)’)

Middle Arms of Bremen and of Hamburg, Germany (fotw)

State Arms (or Coat of Arms)

1) Generically any coat of arms or emblem that is considered representative of a nation or of a nation state – the national arms (see also ‘lesser arms’ and ‘middle arms’, ‘coat of arms 1)’ and ‘coat of arms 2)’, ‘emblem, state or national’ and ‘sash 1)’).

2) Specifically the establishment of arms that officially represents a nation state, as opposed to any part (or parts) therefrom, or those of the relevant head of state or of any variation which may appear on a flag (see also ‘establishment of arms’, ‘flag arms’, ‘greater arms’, ‘imperial arms’, ‘presidential arms’ and ‘royal arms’).

3) The term may also be used to describe the arms of a sub-national division within a nation when any such division is called a “state”, however, the phrase ďż˝arms of the state ofďż˝ is more precise and to be preferred (see also ‘flag of the state of ’).

State/National Arms of Ecuador and Arms of the State of New Jersey, US (fotw)

ARMY ENSIGN

In British Army usage and some others, the term for an ensign (different from the branch of service flag) that is flown at sea by vessels manned by military (as opposed to naval) personnel (see also ‘branch of service flag’ and ‘government ensign’ under ‘ensign’).

Army Ensign, UK (fotw); Ensign (in abeyance) of an Army Vessel Commanded by a Commissioned Officer (fotw)

ARMY FLAG

See ‘branch of service flag’ (also ‘armed services flag’).

Army Flag, Canada (fotw); Army Flag, Georgia (fotw); Army Flag, Kenya (fotw)

ARRONDI

In largely (but not entirely) Continental European heraldry, the term sometimes used to describe a rounded charge in place of the usual English equivalent of ‘embowed’ ďż˝ for example a chaussé arrondi as illustrated below - see ‘embowed’ (also ‘chaussé’).

Flag of Rehetobel, Switzerland (fotw)

ARRONDISSEMENT FLAGS/PENNANTS

See ‘registration flags’.

Arrondissement Flag and Pennant, Department of Lorient, France (fotw)

ARROW CROSS

A reputedly early Medieval symbol in the form of four connected arrowheads, that became (1940 - 1945) the emblem of the Hungarian Nazi Party (the Nyilaskeresztes Pďż˝rt) and occasionally used elsewhere ďż˝ a cross barbed ďż˝ see ‘swastika’ (also ‘rogacina’ and ‘sun cross’).

Flags of the Nyilaskeresztes Pďż˝rt, Hungary 1940-1945; Former Flag of the Falange Venezolana, Venezuela (fotw)

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