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Dictionary of Vexillology: D (Dolmen – Dutch Colours)

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DOLMEN

A type of single chamber Megalithic stone tomb originally (that is before excavation) buried within a mound.

Flag of Oldendorf upon Luhe, Germany (fotw); Flag of Salselas, Portugal (fotw); Flag of Mondrôes, Portugal (fotw)

DOMINICAN CROSS

A cross fleury gyronny and symbol of the Dominican Order – a cross of the Order of Santo Domingo or of St Dominic – see ‘cross fleury’ and ‘cross gyronny’ with its following note (also ‘cross counterchanged’).

Flag of Aldeanueva de Santa Cruz, Spain (fotw)

DOPPELKREUZ

See ‘double-armed cross 1)’.

Flag of Degersheim, Switzerland (fotw)

DOUBLE APPLIQUÉ

A term that may be used when the appliqué technique is applied to both sides of a flag – see ‘appliqué’ (also ‘single appliqué’).

DOUBLE-ARMED CROSS

1) A less ambiguous interpretation of the German term Doppelkreuz - see ‘double cross 2)’.
2) See ‘cross of Lorraine’.

National Flag of Slovakia (fotw); Flag of Free France 1940-44 (fotw)

DOUBLE BORDER

A term that may be used when a flag has two borders – but see ‘inner border 1)’ and ‘outer border’.

Former Flag of Vistonida, Greece (fotw)

DOUBLE COTTICED (or COTISED)

In heraldry see ‘cotticed 2)’.

DOUBLE CROSS

1) See ‘Cross of Lorraine’.
2) A direct translation of the German term Doppelkreuz – but see the note below.
3) The colloquial term for a treacherous act, and (appropriately) used in one instance to illustrate the charge on a fictitious flag as shown below - see ‘twin saltires’.

Flag and Arms of Skaryszew, Poland (fotw); National Flag of the fictitious country Tomania from the film The Great Dictator (fotw)

Please note regarding 2) that this term is (as may be seen above) slightly ambiguous, and therefore, the Editors suggest use of the phrase “double-armed cross” as being more accurate.

DOUBLE-FIMBRIATED

See ‘cotticed 1)’ and its following note (also ‘fimbriated’).

Example; Flag of Rudervereinigung Hellas-Titania, Germany (fotw)

DOUBLE PAVON (or DOUBLE PENNANT)

Alternative terms for the shape of the national flag of Nepal, which was apparently created by two pavon-style pennants having been sewn together - see ‘pavon’ (also ‘pennant’).

National Flag of Nepal (fotw); Flag of Kirat, Nepal (fotw); Former Princely State of Dewas, India (fotw)

Please note regarding the main heading above, that these terms have been introduced by the Editors as a more accurate alternatives to that already introduced.

DOUBLE-POINTED

A term for the variation of a swallow-tailed flag where a vertical section appears in the centre of the fly, such as that which appears on the state flag of Iceland, the yacht ensign of the Aaland Islands or on various Danish flags – see �splittflag’ and ‘swallow-tail(ed)� (also ‘triangular-tongued’).

Danish Flags: State Flag/Naval Ensign, Customs Flag and State Ensign

DOUBLE-PRINCE

The term for a 17th Century Dutch naval flag usually (but not invariably) of six even, horizontal stripes in the Dutch national colours repeated – but see ‘triple-prince’ (also ‘dreikleur’ and ‘princeflag’)

From left: Double Prince c1660 (fotw); With Seven Stripes c1660 (fotw)

Please note however, whilst all available evidence suggests that red, white and blue were employed, orange instead of red may have been used at an earlier stage.

DOUBLE QUEUED

The term sometimes used when a lion is showing a split tail, instead of the correct heraldic description queue fourché or fourchée (see also ‘coward�, ‘fourché’ and ‘queued’).

Flag of Martigny, Switzerland (fotw); Flag of Sankt Vith, Belgium (fotw); Flag of Muttenz, Switzerland (fotw)

DOUBLE-SIDED

1) The term used when a flag is made from two separate pieces of cloth placed back to back, either to ensure that the reverse of a flag is not a mirror image of the obverse (as in the National Flag of Saudi Arabia) or (in the case of some military colours and others) is of a different design (see also ‘mirror image’, ‘obverse’ and ‘reverse’).
2) See ‘two-sided 1)’.

Obverse and Reverse, Colour of The Condor Legion, Spain 1939 (fotw)

DOUBLE-SWALLOWTAIL

See ‘swallowtail and tongue� and ‘triple-tailed 1)’.

State Flag of Norway (fotw); Flag of Dolná Strehová, Slovakia (fotw)

DOUBLE-TAILED

1) In heraldry see ‘queue fourché’ also ‘double queued’).
In vexillology see ‘swallow-tailed’).

Flag of Vysocina, Czechia (fotw); Flag of Martigny, Switzerland (fotw); Flag of Karlovy Vary Region, Czechia (fotw) 2004-2011

DOUBLE-TAILED DESCATE

(adj) A term used to describe a fly that is cut into two tails with rounded ends – a cloven bullnose (see also ‘fly’, ‘gonfanon’, ‘guidon 2)’, ‘multi-tailed descate’, ‘heraldic standard’, ‘swallowtail’ and ‘triple-tailed descate’).

Double-Tailed Descate (CS)

DOUBLE-TRESSURE

The heraldic term for a double border inset from the edges of a shield, banner of arms or flag – see ‘double tressure fleury counter fleury’).

Flag of McIlwraith, McEacharn & Co., UK (fotw)

DOUBLE-TRESSURE FLEURY COUNTER FLEURY

The heraldic phrase for a decorated, double border inset from the edges of a shield, banner of arms or flag, with a well-known example being that on the royal banner and arms of Scotland � see ‘double tressure’ (also ‘border’, ‘counter-’, ‘fleur-de-lis’, ‘fleury’, ‘inset border’ and ‘orle’).

Royal Banner of Scotland (fotw); Flag of Aberdeen, Scotland (fotw); Flag of Horebeke, Belgium (fotw)

Please note that the term “tressure” is considered by some heraldic writers to be a diminutive of ‘orle’ but is rarely seen singly - see ‘tressure’.

DOUBLEMOUNT (or DOUBLE MOUNT)

In heraldry see ‘coupeau’ and ‘mount’.

Arms and Flag of Valverde, Portugal (fotw)

DOVETAILED

The heraldic term used to describe the edge of an ordinary, or division line within the arms, that is shaped like the woodworking joint of that name – lambeau (see also ‘embattled’).

Flag of Stordal, Norway (fotw); Flag of Wendeburg, Germany (fotw); Flag of Etne, Norway (fotw)

DRACO

A Late Roman cavalry flag formed like a windsock whose open end was fixed to a dragon’s head with gaping silver jaws (see also ‘draconarius’, ‘dragon flag 1)’ and ‘windsock’).

Kingdom of Dacia (fotw)

DRACONARIUS (or DRACONTARIUS)

A bearer of the draco – see ‘draco’.

(Wikipedia)

DRAGON

In heraldry and vexillology, a generic term for an often (but not invariably) winged mythological creature that is sometimes shown breathing fire � but see ‘wingless dragon’ and the note below (also ‘dragon flag’ and ‘heraldic beasts’).

Flag of Wessex, UK (fotw); Flag of Somerset, UK (fotw); Flag of Stjørdal, Norway (fotw)

Please note that the strict rules (in both English and Continental European heraldry) regarding use of this term are often not observed, and that it can cover a wide variety of mythological creatures – a basilisk, cockatrice, lindworm or wyvern, etc. – with the exactly defined distinctions between them often (officially) ignored.

DRAGON FLAG

1) A pre-heraldic flag similar to the Roman Draco formed like a windsock, with a dragon�s head/shape, and possibly having a whistling tube within it - see ‘draco’ (also ‘dragon’, ‘pre-heraldic’, 'standard 6)' and ‘windsock’).

2) See ‘imperial dragon flag’.

Chinese Imperial Dragon Flag c1890 (fotw)

Please note with regard to 1), it is suggested by some authorities that the main standard used by the Saxons at the Battle of Hastings (in 1066) was of this type.

DRAPING

(v) The decoration of a staff with a black cravat or long black ribbons (particularly but not exclusively on flags that cannot be half-masted) as a sign of mourning – a mourning ribbon – but see ‘cravat 2)’ (also ‘cravat 1’, ‘half-mast a flag’ ’ and ‘staff 2)’).

National Flag of Spain Draped with a Mourning Ribbon (fotw)

DRAPISTICS

An alternative term, proposed but never adopted, for the study of flags – see ‘vexillology’.

DRESS FLAG

See ‘indoor flag’.

Dress/Indoor Flag of the Secretary of the Army, US (fotw)

DRESS KNOT

A decorative knot of cord (occasionally leather), possibly displaying the national colours or braided in gold/silver with or without contrasting thread, and attached to the sword – a port epee or sword knot (see also ‘aiguillette’).

Officer’s Dress Knot, USN and USCG (marlowwhite.com)

Please note that the dress or sword knot is a decorative reminder of the lanyard, which in this instance ran from a sword’s guard to its user’s wrist, and could be worn (particularly, but not exclusively, by officers of the navy or cavalry) in order to prevent any loss during combat.

DRESS SHIP, TO

1) (v) Generally, the practice of decorating a naval vessel for special occasions, such as national days, whilst berthed alongside or at anchor, by stringing dressing lines between the masts (and down to the ensign and jack staffs), and with national flags at the mastheads - dressing ship, dressing overall or full dressing (see also 'national flag', 'dressing lines' 'ensign staff', 'jack staff' and 'masthead ').

2) (v) Specifically, in US naval usage, the practice of decorating a warship during lesser commemorative occasions, whilst berthed alongside or at anchor, by displaying the ensign and jack together with an ensign at each masthead, but without the dressing lines – but see 'dressing overall 2)' (see also 'dressing lines', 'masthead', 'naval ensign' under 'ensign' and 'naval jack' under 'jack').

3) (v) Specifically in British Royal Navy and some other naval usage, the practice of decorating a warship with jack, ensign and masthead flags/ensign(s) but without the dressing lines, when underway within sight of a port or anchorage during dress ship occasions – but see 'dressing overall 3)'.

4) (v) The practice of merchant vessels (especially passenger liners) and yachts to decorate themselves with strings of dressing lines on special occasions such as maiden voyage departure and arrival, or on other occasions ordered by the shipping company or club.

Notes
a) Warships not directly involved in the occasion being celebrated, but who are berthed in the presence or in sight of ships that are, will also dress as a courtesy according to the local practice, using the ensign or national flag of the celebrant at the main masthead in lieu of their own ensign or national flag.
b) This is a continuation of the earlier maritime practice (dating from at least the 16th Century) of hanging out every flag available by way of celebration, but that in modern navies and some merchant marine companies both the occasions for display and the make-up of dressing lines is strictly regulated (with this last being confined to signal flags only).

DRESSED

1) In heraldry see ‘garnished’, ‘clad’, ‘habited’ and ‘vested’.
2) In vexillology see ‘dress ship, to’.

Flag of Münchenwiler, Switzerland (fotw); Flag of Cabanas de Tavira, Portugal (fotw); Flag of Rieden, Switzerland (fotw)

DRESSING LINES

Signal flags and pennants made up in decorative strings according to the size and configuration of ship they are to be used on and also according to ordered patterns laid down by naval authorities in the case of warships, or commercial companies in the case of merchant vessels � rainbow lines � see ‘dressing overall’ (also ‘dress ship, to 1)’ and ‘dress ship, to 4)’).

DRESSING OVERALL (or DRESSED OVERALL)

1) See ‘dress ship, to 1)’ and ‘dress ship, to 4)’.

2) (v or adj) In US naval usage the practice of decorating a vessel for major commemorative occasions, whilst berthed alongside or at anchor, by stringing dressing lines between the masts (and down to the ensign and jack staffs), and with a jack and ensign at the bow and stern, and national flags at the mastheads – but see ‘dress ship 2)’.

3) (v or adj) In British Royal Navy and some other usage decorating a vessel for commemorative occasions, whilst berthed alongside or at anchor, by stringing dressing lines between the masts (and down to the ensign and jack staffs), and with a jack and ensign at the bow and stern, and national flags at the mastheads – but see ‘dress ship 3)’.

A Warship of the South African Navy Dressed Overall (Andries Burgers)

DRESSING SHIP

See ‘dress ship, to 1)’ and ‘dress ship, to 4)’.

DRIEKLEUR

The national flag of The Netherlands - see ‘tricolour 2)’ (also ‘double prince’, ‘Dutch colours 1)’, ‘princeflag’ and and ‘triple prince’).

National Flag of The Netherlands (fotw)

DRUM BANNER

See ‘bannerette’ and ‘war banner’.

DUTCH COLOURS

1) The term used when the colours and/or design of a flag is (or was) based upon the Dutch driekleur and/or princeflag – see ‘driekleur’ and ‘princeflag’.
2) See ‘pan-Slavic colours’ with its following note.
3) See ‘colours 2)’.

Flag of The Transvaal 1857 – 1902; Flag of The Orange Free State 1856 – 1902 (fotw); National Flag of South Africa 1928 – 1994.

Please note with regard to 2, that (despite the inclusion of orange) some sources list these with the ‘pan-Slavic colours’.

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