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Dictionary of Vexillology: P (Per Bend – Phrygian Cap)

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PER BEND

1) In heraldry the term used when a shield, a banner of arms or any quartering thereof is divided diagonally from top left to bottom right across its field (see also ‘banner of arms’, ‘bend’, ‘in bend’, ‘party’ and ‘quartering 1)’).
2) In vexillology the term is sometimes used in place of in bend or bendwise when an object, charge or charges are placed as above (see also ‘armigerous’, ‘descending diagonal 2)’, ‘bicolour 1)’ and ‘crown of rue’).

House Flag of BosKalis, The Netherlands (fotw); Flag of Islisberg, Switzerland (fotw); Flag of Balge, Germany (fotw)

PER BEND SINISTER

1) In heraldry the term used when a shield, a banner of arms or any quartering thereof is divided diagonally from bottom left to top right across its field (see also ‘banner of arms’, ‘bend sinister’, ’in bend sinister’, ‘party’ and ‘quartering 1)’).

2) In vexillology the term is sometimes used in place of in bend sinister or bendwise sinister when an object, charge or charges are placed as above – but see ‘ascending diagonal 2)’ (also ‘bicolour 1)’).

Flag of Carrapateira, Brazil (fotw); Flag of Villarimboud, Switzerland (fotw); Flag of São Bento do Tocantins, Brazil (fotw)

PER CHEVRON

The heraldic term used when the divisions on a shield or banner of arms, or a series of charges thereon, appear to form a triangle, sometimes embowed and generally (although not invariably) with the apex upward – but see ‘pile 1)’ and ‘pile 2)’ plus the following note (also ‘banner of arms’, ‘chaussé’, ‘chevron 2)’, ‘embowed’, ‘party’ and ‘reversed 2)’).

Flag of Ekenis, Germany (fotw); Flag of Wohlen bei Bern, Switzerland (fotw); Flag of Neu Wulmstorf, Germany (fotw).

Please note that the difference between a shield or a banner of arms that is divided “per chevron” and one showing a “pile reversed” is not always clear, and it is suggested that the note following ‘per pile’ and a glossary or dictionary of heraldry be consulted for further details.

PER CHEVRON EMBOWED (ARCHED or ENARCHED)

In heraldry see per chevron,

Flag of Seftigen, Switzerland (fotw); Flag of Tellin, Belgium (fotw); Flag of Mühledorf, Switzerland (fotw)

PER COMPLEMENT

The heraldic term for a full moon – see moon 2) with following note a).

Flag of Shan, Myanmar

PER FESS

1) In heraldry the term used when a shield, a banner of arms or any quartering thereof is divided horizontally (see also ‘banner of arms’, ‘fess’, ‘in fess’, party and ‘quartering 1)’).

2) In vexillology the term is sometimes also used in place of in fess or fesswise when an object, charge or charges, appear in a horizontal position.

Flag of Ticino, Switzerland (fotw); Flag of Bösel, Germany (fotw); Flag of Osogna, Switzerland (fotw)

PER PALE

1) In heraldry the term used when a shield, a banner of arms or any quartering thereof is divided vertically (see also ‘banner of arms’, ‘in pale’, ‘pale’, ‘party’ and ‘quartering 1)’).

2) In vexillology the term is sometimes also used in place of in pale or palewise when an object, charge or charges, appear in a vertical position (see also ‘palewise 2)’).

Flag of Bosau, Germany (fotw); Flag of Bastogne, Belgium (fotw); Flag of Benamaurel, Spain (fotw)

PER PALL

In heraldry the term used when the division lines on a shield, banner of arms or flag are arranged in the form a pall – see ‘in pall’ and ‘pall 2)’.

Flag of Fenin-Vilars-Saules, Switzerland (fotw); Flag of Sülzetal, Germany (fotw); Flag of Olexandria, Ukraine (fotw)

PER PILE

See ‘pile 2)’ and the following note (also ‘chaussé’).

Flag of Verdabbio, Switzerland (fotw); Arms of Kuželov, Czechia (fotw); Flag of Gandria, Switzerland (fotw)

Please note that, unless concerning a straightforward charge, this term should always be used with a further description, for example, “tierced (or party) per pile reversed” (as illustrated above) or “tierced/party per pile reversed embowed” – see ‘embowed’, ‘party’, ‘per chevron’ with its following note, ‘reversed 2)’ and ‘tiercé’.

PER SALTIRE

1) In heraldry the term used when the division lines on a shield, banner of arms or flag run in a diagonal fashion from the upper corners – saltirewise (see also ‘banner of arms’, ‘in saltire’, ‘party’, and ‘saltire’).

2) In vexillology the term is sometimes also used in place of in saltire or saltirewise when two separate objects or charges cross each other diagonally – but see note below (also ‘orthogonal’ and ‘quartered diagonally’).

Flag of Guijelo, Spain (fotw); Flag of Luběnice, Czechia (fotw); Flag of Hemmental, Switzerland (fotw)

Please note with that the standard vexillological term for a flag divided per saltire is “quartered diagonally” as referenced in 2) above.

PERSONAL FLAG

1) In UK usage, a fringed plain royal blue flag bearing in its centre a crowned and garlanded ‘E’, which was used by HM Queen Elizabeth II when paying official visits abroad to those countries of which she was not head of state but see note below (also ‘garland’, ‘monogram’, ‘royal cypher 1)’, ‘racing flag 2)’ and ‘royal standard’).

2) See ‘banner of arms’.

3) A flag intended by the designer for his personal use or that of his family (see also ‘house flag 3)’).

4) In US naval usage, a term for denoting an officer's rank – see ‘flag of command’ (also ‘distinguishing flag 3)’, ‘individual flag’ and ‘rank flag 1)’).

Personal Flag of HM Queen Elizabeth II 1926-2022, UK (fotw); Banner of Arms for Dražíč, Czechia (fotw); Personal Flag of Terence Martin, US (fotw)

Notes
a) With regard to 1) the monogram will be (or has been) replaced with that of HM King Charles III, and:
b) The various flags to be used by HM The King when visiting a Commonwealth country of which he is head of state are also officially described as personal flags, but must also be considered as the royal standards of the countries concerned (see also ‘royal standard’ and ‘standard 1)’).

Personal Flag/Royal Standard of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II for use in Canada (fotw)

PETRA SANCTA METHOD

See ‘hatching 1)’.

Gules, Azure, Vert. Purpure, Sable, Or and Argent

PHOENIX

A mythical bird which is generally seen rising from the flames of its own destruction, and is usually intended to symbolise re-birth through strife – see ‘heraldic beasts’.

Flag of Atlanta, Georgia USA (fotw) Flag of Udbina, Croatia (fotw) Ensign of the New Thames Yacht Club, UK (fotw);

PHOINIKIS

See ‘semeion’.

PHRYGIAN CAP

See ‘cap of liberty’.

Flag of San Juan, Argentina (fotw)

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