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Dictionary of Vexillology: C (Chakra - Civil Flag)

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CHAKRA
CHAMPAGNE
CHAPÉ
CHAPEL FLAG
CHAPLAIN'S FLAG
CHAPLET
CHARGE
CHARGED
CHECKY (CHECKERED, CHECKIE, CHEQUEY, CHEQUERED, CHEQUE, CHEQUES, CHEQUY or CHECQUY)
CHESSBOARD
CHEVRON (or CHEVERON)
CHEVRONEL
CHIEF
CHRIST’S KNIGHT’S CROSS
CHRISTIAN FLAG
CHRISTIFERUS
CHURCH FLAG
CHURCH PENNANT
CINQUEFOIL (CINQFOIL or CINQUE-FOYLE)
CIPHER
CITATION FLAG (or PENNANT)
CITY ARMS (or COAT OF ARMS)
CITY FLAG
CIVIC ARMS
CIVIC BANNER
CIVIC CROWN
CIVIC FLAG
CIVIL AIR ENSIGN (or FLAG)
CIVIL ENSIGN
CIVIL FLAG

CHAKRA

A wheel-like emblem that represents the Buddhist Dharma Chakra (or wheel of law) and which appears in a variety of different designs on the national flag of India, the military flags of Thailand and several other flags both past and present.

From left: India (fotw); Thailand (fotw)

CHAMPAGNE

See ‘base’.

CHAPÉ

The French heraldic term used when the divisions on a shield or banner of arms form a triangle pointing upward, and employed by French heralds in place of the equivalent English terms per chevron or per pile reversed – see ‘per chevron’ and its following note, the note following ‘per pile’ and ‘pile 2)’.

CHAPEL FLAG

In US army usage a flag, bearing a device corresponding to a particular religion, displayed in a military chapel.

Christian Faith Chapel Flag, US (fotw)

CHAPLAIN'S FLAG

In US army usage a flag, bearing a device corresponding to a particular religion, flown in the field to designate the location of a chaplain's quarters or office, or the site at which religious services are being held.

Jewish Faith Chaplain’s Flag, US (fotw)

CHAPLET

See ‘garland’.

Flag of Schönengrund, Switzerland (fotw)

CHARGE

1) Generically, any emblem, object or design placed upon the field of a flag or shield (see also ‘Appendix IV’).

2) Specifically, a symbol placed upon the field of a flag, which is neither an emblem as specifically defined herein, nor a badge (see also ‘emblem’, ‘emblem, national’, ‘emblem military’ and ‘badge’).

3) (v) The act of placing such a charge on a flag.

Please note however, that with a considerable degree of heraldic justification, some sources propose the charge to be an integral part of a flag’s design and usually not used separately, whereas, in general a badge may. It is suggested therefore, that the entry ‘badge (in heraldry)’, and a suitable glossary or heraldic dictionary be consulted.

CHARGED

(adj) The act of having placed a charge on a flag (especially "charged with") – to have defaced with a charge (see also ‘charge’ and ‘deface’).

CHECKERED FLAG

See ‘sports flag 4)’.

CHECKY (CHECKERED, CHECKIE, CHEQUEY, CHEQUERED, CHEQUE, CHEQUES, CHEQUY or CHECQUY)

1) In vexillology, the term used for a flag (or sometimes a charge) bearing more than four but an otherwise varied number of rectangles (usually but not invariably squares) in alternating colours – but see ‘compony’ and ‘counter-compony’ (also ‘charge 1)’ and ‘quarterly’).

2) In heraldry the term for a shield or banner of arms, or an ordinary/charge thereon, bearing (not less than twenty) squares of a metal and colour alternately. - but see ‘equipollé’ and the note below, ‘compony’ and ‘counter-compony’ (also ‘ordinary’).

From left: Flag of North Brabant, Netherlands (fotw); Flag of Chihuahua, Mexico (Juan Manuel Gabino Villascán); Flag of Radvanice, Czech Republic (fotw); Example (Parker)

Please note that in heraldry the exact number of squares (if more than twenty) is usually left undefined, however, any number between ten and twenty squares is generally specified, and that in vexillology the number of such rectangles (regardless of quantity) is often precisely regulated.

National Flag and Arms of Croatia (fotw)

CHESSBOARD

See ‘checky’.

CHEVRON

1) On flags any ‘V’ shaped charge on a flag irrespective of the width of the arms. The standard orientation of a chevron on flags is the same as 2) below so when the apex is towards the top of the flag it is a standard or simple chevron, when towards the base of the flag a reversed on inverted chevron, however, when the apex is towards the fly it may be called a hoist chevron, and with the apex towards the hoist a fly chevron (see ‘inverted’ and ‘reversed’).

2) In heraldry, the term for a charge with arms in the shape of a generally (but not invariably) inverted letter ‘V’, and heraldic use frequently suggests that a chevron should have a width equal to one-fifth the field of a banner of arms or shield – but see the second following note (also ‘party’, ‘per chevron’, ‘naissant’, ‘pile 2)’ and ‘reversed 2)’).

From left: Example; Flag of Campina Grande, Brazil; Flag of Boelenslaan, Netherlands; Flag of Otovice, Karlovy Vary; Czech Republic (fotw); Flag of NAVA, US (fotw)

Please note with regard to 1) that the Editors have adopted a heraldic model in defining a chevron on flags, however, please note also that there are conflicting definitions with regard to the standard vexillological orientation of a chevron and that usage of this term has not yet settled upon a consistent approach.

Please note with regard to 2) that a chevron may also be embowed, wavy, embattled or otherwise differenced – see - see ‘embattled’ ‘embowed’ and ‘wavy’.

Flag of Lamboing, Switzerland (fotw); Arms and Flag of De Valom, The Netherlands (fotw); Arms of Arzl im Pritztal, Austria (ICH)

CHEVRONEL

A heraldic term used when two or more chevrons are displayed together on a shield or banner of arms, and heraldic use frequently suggests that a chevronel should be one-half the width of a chevron (see ‘chevron’ above).

Arms and Flag of Les Geneveys-sur-Coffrane, Switzerland (CS & fotw)

Please note that in heraldry the standard orientation of a chevronel is the same as that of a chevron and that variations of this standard may be described using the terminology given in 2)’ above.

CHIEF

A heraldic term for the top horizontal section of a shield or banner of arms, however, heraldic use frequently suggests that a chief should be one-third of the total depth of that shield or flag (see also ‘banner of arms’, ‘base’ and ‘shield 2)’).

CHRIST’S KNIGHT’S CROSS

See ‘cross of the order of the knights of Christ’.

CHRISTIAN FLAG

One of a number of designs symbolizing Christianity, especially the white flag with a blue canton containing a red Latin cross designed in 1897 by Charles Overton, and used by various Protestant groups – an ecclesiastic, ecclesiastical or church flag - but see ‘religious flag’ (also ‘church flag 2)’).

Charles Overton’s Flag (fotw); The Anglican Catholic Church, US (fotw)

Please note that usage of the Charles Overton flag was originally (largely) confined to the United States, but evidence of growing use elsewhere has been reported.

CHRISTIFERUS

A medieval term, now obsolete, for the bearer of a standard, flag or banner upon which the figure of Christ crucified was depicted.

CHURCH BANNER

See ‘banner 3)’.

CHURCH FLAG

1) See ‘Christian flag’ and ‘religious flag’.

2) In UK usage and some others, the flag flown from or outside a church; particularly that flown from an Established (or Anglican) Church defaced with the appropriate diocesan arms.

The Anglican Diocese of Chester (fotw)

CHURCH PENNANT

In US, UK and some other naval usage, the pennant hoisted aboard a warship or naval shore establishment during religious services (see also ‘bethel flag’ and ‘flying angel flag’).

Pennants, UK and The Netherlands (CS); US (CS)

Please note however, that in US usage this may also be called a worship pennant, particularly when in connection with a non-Christian service.

Jewish Worship Pennant, US (CS & fotw)

CINQUEFOIL (CINQFOIL or CINQUE-FOYLE)

The heraldic term for a charge in the form of a stylized flower having five leaves and often pierced in the centre – a quinterfoil or quintefeuille.

from left: cinquefoil example; Flag of the German Speaking Community, Belgium (fotw)

CIPHER

See ‘royal cipher 1)’ and ‘monogram’.

Cipher of HH Prince Rainier III 1923 – 2005, Monaco (fotw)

CITATION FLAG (or PENNANT)

See ‘award flag’.

CITY ARMS (or COAT OF ARMS)

See ‘civic arms 1)’.

Arms of the City of London, UK (fotw);

CITY FLAG

See ‘civic flag 1)’.

Arms of the City of London, UK (fotw);

CIVIC ARMS

1) The coat of arms or full set of armorial bearings of a municipality or urban area – municipal or city arms (see also ‘armorial bearings’, ‘civic flag 1)’ and ‘coat of arms 2)’).

2) In UK usage and in some others, as above but also the arms or full set of armorial bearings of a sub-national county – the county arms (see also ‘civic flag 2)’).

3) The term can also be applied to the emblems of sub-national entities that are not coats of arms or full sets of armorial bearings as defined herein (see also ‘anti-heraldry’ and ‘emblem’).

Arms of Barrancos, Portugal (ICH); Arms of Ludwigslust, Germany (fotw); Arms of Northumberland County, UK (Internet Business Directory)

CIVIC BANNER

1) See ‘banner 3)’.

2) A term that may be used when the flag of a municipality or urban area is a banner of arms – see ’civic flag’ (also ’banner 1)’).

Banner of Arms and Arms of the City of Birmingham, UK (fotw and official website)

CIVIC CROWN

1) The heraldic term for a closed garland or chaplet composed of oak leaves and acorns (see also ‘crown triumphal’ and ‘garland’).

2) See ‘mural crown 1)’.

A Heraldic Civic Crown (Parker)

CIVIC FLAG

1) The flag of a municipality or urban area – a municipal flag or city flag (see also ‘banner 4)’ and ‘civic arms 1)’).

2) In UK usage and in some others, as above but also the sub-national flag of a county (see also ‘sub-national flag’ and ‘civic arms 2)’).

3) See ‘civil flag’.

Flag of Barrancos, Portugal (fotw); Flag of Ludwigslust, Germany (fotw); Flag of Northumberland County, UK (fotw)

CIVIL AIR ENSIGN (or FLAG)

That flag flown at civilian airports, landing fields and by civil air authorities (see also ‘royal air mail pennant’).

Please note that in British use (and in that of some Commonwealth countries) such a flag is called a civil air ensign (see also ‘air mail flag’).

From left: Civil Air Ensign, UK (fotw); Civil Air Ensign, Pakistan (fotw); Civil Air Ensign, Ghana (fotw); Airport Authorities, Israel (fotw); Civil Air Flag, Poland 1930–32 (fotw)

CIVIL ENSIGN

See under ‘ensign’.

Civil Ensign of The Bahamas (fotw)

CIVIL FLAG

The version of a national or provincial flag that is for use by private citizens on land (see also ‘national flag’, ‘official flag 2)’, ‘state flag’, ‘civil ensign’ under ‘ensign’ and ‘sub-national flag’ with following notes).

From left: Civil Flag and National Flag of Guatemala (fotw); Civil Flag and Official Flag of The Canary Islands, Spain (fotw)

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