Dictionary of Vexillology: A (Armed – Armistice)

Last modified: 2025-02-01 by rob raeside
Keywords: vexillological terms |
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• Introduction
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On this page:

• ARMED
• ARMED AND LANGUED (or ARMED, LANGUED AND MEMBERED)
• ARMED SERVICES FLAG(S)
• ARMES PARLANTES
• ARM FLASH (or PATCH)
• ARMIGEROUS
• ARMISTICE DAY FLAG

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ARMED

1) In vexillology the term relating to a figure carrying weapons – but see ‘armoured’.
2) In heraldry a term used when the claws, teeth talons and sometimes the beak of a beast or bird of prey are shown in a different tincture to the body (see also ‘armed and langued’, ‘attired’, ‘beaked’, ‘langued’, ‘gorged’, ‘harnysed’, ‘jelloped’, ‘membered’ and ‘tincture’).

Flag of Spiringen, Switzerland; Flag of Flanders, Belgium; Flag of Sodermanland, Sweden

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ARMED AND LANGUED (or ARMED, LANGUED AND MEMBERED)

In heraldry, see ‘armed 2)’, ‘langued’ and ‘membered’.

Flag of Noville, Switzerland; Flag of Valdice, Czechia; Flag of Wiggiswil, Switzerland

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ARMED SERVICES FLAG(S)

A generic term for any flag that pertains to, or represents a branch of the armed services, or a unit within that branch.

Colour of the Royal Navy 1939–1952, UK; Air Force Ensign, South Africa; Flag of the Army, US;

Please note however, that the various types of flags used by the armed services – for example an appointment flag, branch of service flag, camp flag, colour, flag of command, guidon, naval jack, positional or rank flag, etc. – are separately defined herein and are, we suggest, to be preferred in description.

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ARMES PARLANTES

In heraldry a phrase used as an alternative to the term canting – see ‘canting’.

Flag of Bila Tserkva (or White Church), Ukraine

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ARM FLASH (or PATCH)

See ‘badge 3)’ and ‘regimental colours 2)’ (also ‘military crest’).

 
Arm Flash/Patch of The Royal Armoured Corps, UK

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ARMIGEROUS

(adj) The heraldic term for possessing or showing a coat of arms – see ‘coat of arms 2)’ (also 'armorial bearings' and 'blazon').

 
Coats of Arms of the 10th Duke of Richmond, the 11th Duke of Marlborough and the 10th Duke of Buccleuch

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ARMISTICE DAY FLAG

See ‘service flag 3)’.

Armistice Day Flag/American War Mothers, US

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