Candidate Terminology (Vexillology)

Last modified: 2013-12-28 by rob raeside
Keywords: vexillological definitions: proposed |
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See also:

• Vexillological Theory and Practice
• FOTW Topical Index
• FOTW Vexillological Reference

This is a page under constant development in that it reflects proposals to standardize language used in vexillology.

The following is the format of the terminology on this page:

1. Proposed definitions
2. Discussion on the definition

Terms may draw upon or be similar to those on our page on our Dictionary of Vexillology.

Proposed formats

• Convention for the writing of definitions
• Convention for describing the order of colours on the field of a flag
• Convention for flag descriptions

Proposed definitions:

• None at this time

Proposed Formats

Convention for the writing of definitions

• Keep it as simple as possible.
• Make it as specific as possible (for instance, I prefer the Smithsonian definition of tricolour above saying that a tricolour is any flag with three colours in the field no matter how they are arranged).
• Retain any existing traditional and well-known definitions (even if it does not completely meet the first two strictures).
• Keep as close as possible to existing standard definitions in heraldry.

Convention for describing the order of colours on the field of a flag

• For vertically displayed colours: from the hoist. (Thus the French tricoleur would be described as a 'vertical tricolour b-w-r'.
• For horizontally displayed colours: from top to bottom. (Thus the Dutch driekleur would be described as a 'horizontal tricolour r-w-b')
• For gyronny displayed colours: from upper hoist corner with the order of colours and number of repetitions stated.

Convention for flag descriptions

• Describe the primary field of the flag in the simplest possible terms using standard definitions (eg: the basic dominant colour, or bicolour, or triband, or tricolour, etc).
• Add any deviations from the standard field.
• Descibe any charges and their positions on the field, also using standard definitions if available and applicable (eg fleur-de-lis, armillary sphere, etc, etc).
• Describe the division lines if it deviates from the straight horisontal, vertical or diagonal.
• Provide the proportions of the field (if deviating from the norm of 2:3), the bars and cantons in the description.

Candidate Terminology

None at this time.