Vexillological symbol
Vexillological symbols are used by vexillologists to indicate certain characteristics of flags, such as where they are used, who uses them, and what they look like. The symbols were created by vexillologist Whitney Smith and then adopted by the International Federation of Vexillological Associations (FIAV) in the early 1970s.[1] Vexillologist Željko Heimer added the symbols for Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag normal and Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flaghistorical in the early 1990s.[2]
Status and design symbols
Vexillological symbols describe information on a flag's recognition status and design.
| Symbol | Meaning |
|---|---|
| File:IFIS Normal.svg | Normal or de jure version of flag, or obverse side |
| File:IFIS Proposed.svg | Design was proposed in the past, but never officially adopted |
| File:IFIS Reconstruction.svg | Design is a reconstruction, based on past observation |
| File:IFIS Reverse.svg | Reverse side of flag |
| File:IFIS Variant.svg | An acceptable variant of the standard flag |
| File:IFIS Alternate.svg | One of several alternative versions of the flag that can be displayed |
| File:IFIS De facto.svg | De facto flag, widely accepted and used |
| File:IFIS Two-sided.svg | Flag has different designs on its obverse side and its reverse side |
| File:IFIS Sinister.svg | Obverse side meant to be hoisted with pole to the observer's right |
| File:IFIS Authorised.svg | Design officially authorized to represent nation by government of that nation (not necessary to use when the de jure symbol is used) |
| File:IFIS Historical.svg | Design used in the past, but now abandoned |
| File:IFIS Mirror.svg | Reverse side is mirror image of obverse side |
| File:IFIS Equal.svg | Reverse side is congruent to the obverse side |
| File:IFIS No reverse info.svg | Information on reverse side is not available |
| File:IFIS Vertical normal.svg | Flag can be hung vertically by hoisting on a normal pole, then turning the pole 90° |
| File:IFIS Vertical rotated.svg | Flag can be hung vertically by rotating the design first |
| File:IFIS Vertical unknown.svg | Vertical hoist method of flag is unknown |
| File:IFIS Vertical inapplicable.svg | Design has no element which can be rotated |
| File:IFIS Vertical exclusive.svg | Flags can only be hoisted vertically |
| Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag | Flag is not authorized to represent the group or country |
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Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flagSmall vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag Flag of Paraguay
The normal and two-sided symbols indicate this is the obverse side of an authorized flag, and that the reverse side is different. -
Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flagDesign officially authorized to represent nation by government of that nationSmall vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag Flag of Paraguay
The reverse, official, and two-sided symbols indicate this is the reverse side of an authorized flag, and that the obverse side is different. -
Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag Flag of France
The normal symbol indicates this is the official flag of the nation. -
Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flagSmall vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag Flag of France
The normal and variant symbols indicate this flag is an acceptable variant of the national flag. -
Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag Flag of Antarctica
The de facto symbol indicates the flag is widely accepted and used, but not codified by law. -
Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flagSmall vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag Flag of the Margraviate of Austria (976–1136)
The historical and reconstructed symbols indicate the flag is no longer in use, and the design is based on historical records and artifacts.
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Usage symbols
The usage symbols are based on a grid of two rows representing use on land and use on water, and three columns representing private use, public use, and military use. Each circle in the grid indicates the flag has one or more of the following six basic usages:
| Private | Public | Military | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Land | Civil flag
Flown by private citizens on land |
State flag
Flown by the government on land |
War flag
Flown by the military on land |
| Water | Civil ensign
Flown by private vessels |
State ensign
Flown by government vessels |
Naval ensign
Flown by military vessels |
A single design may be associated with no usages or multiple usages. Heimer suggested an additional row for air ensigns, but it has not been adopted by FIAV. The air ensign row refers to flags displayed on aircraft, including when on the ground, and air installations. The air ensign row is placed above the remaining two rows.[2]
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Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag The civil flag and ensign of Peru is used by Peruvian citizens on land and sea
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Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag The state flag and ensign is used by the Peruvian government on land and sea
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Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag The war flag is used by the Peruvian Army
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Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag The naval ensign is used by the Peruvian Navy
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See also
References
- ↑ "FIAV Flag Information Symbols". CRW Flags. Retrieved 2022-10-20.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "The FAME: Symbols and Abbreviations". zeljko-heimer-fame.from.hr. Retrieved 2022-10-21.