New Zealand Flag Institute

GLOSSARY

 

 

 

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1. A small swallow-tailed flag used by formations below the battalion level (company, squadron, battery, troop, platoon, detachment).

2. Any small swallowtail flag.

 

GULES -

In heraldry, the colour red. Derived from the Norman-French word for a neckpiece which was traditionally dyed red. Red from an early era meant bravery, aggressiveness, or defiance. A 1790 flag book described a red flag as the “flag of defiance”. The association with revolution arose in France, where the red banner was the sign that martial law had been declared. Red is also one of the colours associated with the prophet Mohammed. The connection of the colour with pirate flags was allegedly derived from the red flag borne by the Kharijite Moslem sect. However Norman vessels of the 13th century wore red streamers, and the combat flags of ancient Rome were red.

 

HALF MAST or HALF STAFF -

To fly a flag beneath the top of the pole as a sign of mourning. It should not be flown half-way down the pole, but approximately one flags-width from the top.

 

HALYARD -

The rope by which a flag is raised (hoisted) and lowered on a flagpole.

 

Header or HEADING -

The usually heavy material strip, usually canvas, sewn along the hoist edge, or side, of a flag. The heading usually contains either a rope or grommets to connect with a halyard for hoisting, but it may form a sleeve to slip over a pole.

 

Heraldic Banner -

See BANNER.