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Dictionary of Vexillology: E (Ensign - Eyelet)

Last modified: 2012-02-10 by rob raeside
Keywords: vexillological terms |
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ENSIGN
1) A flag used at sea to denote nationality - or the national flag for use at sea - and whose usage falls into one of the several categories listed separately below. The ensign is generally displayed on a staff at the stern of a vessel, or from the peak of the gaff of a sailing vessel if so rigged or two-thirds up the leech of the mainsail if not, and in the case of a naval ship, from either an ensign staff or from the rigging, with this latter usually depending on operational requirements and covered under peak (see also ’leech’ and ‘peak’). see supplemental note
2) The term may also be applied to the distinctive flags of certain or all the armed services of a particular country (which may, in addition, also act as flags of national identification) such as the British Air Force Ensign or South African Police Service Ensign.
3) The rank or distinguishing flag of a military or government service formerly used as an ensign (under definition 1) and still so called for historical reasons – for example the U.S. Coast Guard and Customs ensigns.
4) A largely (if not wholly) obsolete alternate name for a military colour (see also ‘ancient 2)’ and ‘colour 2)’).
5) An obsolete name for the lowest commissioned rank in the British Army, being that rank responsible for carrying the regimental colour (see also ‘ancient 3)’). Also, the lowest commissioned rank in the United States Navy and some others.
6) In heraldry the correct, although little used, term for the armorial bearings of a kingdom, of an office or of a community - insignia (see also ‘armorial bearings’, ‘ensign-banner’ and ‘insignia’).

ensign from an ensign staff ensign at the peak ensign from the leech
From an Ensign Staff; At the Peak; From the Leech

Civil Ensign
A flag flown by civilian owned vessels and craft to denote nationality, sometimes the relevant national flag, or a variant thereof, or occasionally a completely different design – a merchant ensign or merchant flag (see also ‘civil flag’, ‘civil jack’ under ‘jack’ and ‘red ensign 1)’.

Civil Ensign of Mexico 1897 - 1968 Civil Ensign of Singapore Civil Ensign of Colombia
From left: Civil Ensign of Mexico 1897 - 1968 (fotw); Civil Ensign of Singapore (fotw); Civil Ensign of Colombia (fotw)

Customs ensign
See ‘ensign 3)’ and ‘customs flag’ (also ‘government ensign’ below).

US Customs Ensign
Custom Ensign of the US (fotw)

Government (or State) Ensign
A flag flown to denote nationality by those government vessels that are not warships, and sometimes defaced by badges to denote various departments – but see ‘archivexillum’ (also ‘blue ensign’ and ‘government jack’ under ‘jack’).

Government Ensign of Germany 1893–1918 Government Ensign of Singapore Royal Maritime Auxiliary, UK
From left: Government Ensign of Germany 1893–1918 (fotw); Government Ensign of Singapore (fotw); Royal Maritime Auxiliary, UK (Graham Bartram)

Please note however, that the defaced Blue Ensigns of British Dependent Territories act as both an official flag on land, and as a Government Ensign when flown by a Government owned vessel at sea.

Naval Ensign
A flag flown by the naval vessels of a particular country to denote nationality - sometimes the relevant state or national flag, or a variant thereof, or occasionally a completely different design (see also ‘masthead pennant 1)’, ‘naval jack’ under ‘jack’, ‘suit of flags’ and ‘white ensign’).

Naval Ensign of The RSA Naval Ensign of Bulgaria Naval Ensign of Italy
From left: Naval Ensign of The RSA (fotw); Naval Ensign of Bulgaria (fotw); Naval Ensign of Italy (fotw)

Reserve Ensign
A flag, different from the normal civil ensign, which is flown to denote nationality by merchant vessels commanded by an officer of that country’s naval reserve, and usually requiring a special Warrant (see also ‘blue ensign 1)’ and ‘civil ensign’ above).

Reserve Ensign of India Reserve Ensign of The Netherlands Reserve Ensign of Germany 1935 – 1945
From left: Reserve Ensign of India (fotw); Reserve Ensign of The Netherlands (fotw); Reserve Ensign of Germany 1935 – 1945 (fotw)

War Ensign
See ‘naval ensign’ above (and also ‘war flag’).
Yacht (Yacht Club or Leisure) Ensign
A flag, different from the normal civil ensign, which is flown by leisure craft to denote nationality, usually requiring a special Warrant and often defaced by an appropriate club emblem – a yacht club or leisure ensign (see also ‘blue ensign 1)’ with its following note, and ‘civil ensign’ above).

Yacht Ensign of Spain Yacht Ensign of Japan Yacht Ensign of Finland
From left: Yacht Ensign of Spain (fotw); Yacht Ensign of Japan (fotw); Yacht Ensign of Finland (fotw)

ENSIGN-BANNER
The term for a rectangular flag with a field and/or border (and also a fringe) in the livery colours of a coat of arms, and charged with the full set of armorial bearings – but see ‘armorial flag 2)’ (also ‘armorial bearings’, ‘armorial flag’, ‘charged’, ‘coat of arms’, ‘ensign 5)’, ‘insignia’ and ‘livery colours’).

[Spanish state flag] [Spanish arms]
State Flag and Arms of Spain 1945 - 1977 (fotw)

[Braga Portugal flag] [Braga Portugal ceremonial flag] [Braga Portugal arms]
Flag, Ceremonial Flag and Arms of Braga, Portugal (fotw and official website)

Please note that the provenance of this term is uncertain and its use of the description “banner” (as defined herein) inaccurate. However, a possible derivation from insignia-banner (as opposed to armorial banner) cannot be ignored.

In addition to the above, please note also that a full set of armorial bearings (most notably in Continental civic heraldry) need not contain all the traditional elements (such as supporters and motto), and to avoid any potential confusion the new term “armorial flag” (both generically and specifically) is recommended for use in description.

ENSIGN OF HONOUR (OR HONOR)
In largely Russian naval usage, the term for a defaced ensign awarded to vessels that have particularly distinguished themselves, and have received a decoration - an honour ensign (see also ‘defaced’ and ‘ensign 1)’).

ensign of honor [ensign of honor] [ensign of honor]
From left: Ensign of Honour 1819-1917; Current Ensign of Honour, Frontier Guard Ensign of Honour, Russian Federation (CS & fotw)

ENSIGN STAFF
The short staff at the stern of a ship upon which the ensign is hoisted (see also ‘ensign 1)’, ‘jack staff’ and 'staff 1)').
ENSIGN, THE
See 'naval ensign' under 'ensign'.
ENSIGNED
The heraldic term used when a charge is placed above or at the top of another. For example, a shield with a crown placed above is said to be ensigned with the crown – topped but see the note below and ‘surmounted, by 2)’ (also ‘charge 1)’, ‘crown’, ‘crest 1)’, ‘helm’ and ‘shield 1)’).

Lesser Arms of Sweden state flag - Serbia lesser arms of Serbia 1659 flag of Rijeka, Croatia 1659 arms of Rijeka, Croatia
The Lesser Arms of Sweden (fotw); State Flag and Lesser Arms of Serbia (fotw); Historical Flag and 1659 Arms of Rijeka, Croatia (FAME)

Please note that the correct heraldic term for a charge that is placed in front of rather than at the top of another is ‘surmounted by’.

ENTIRE
1) A heraldic term that may be used when a coat of arms is shown in its entirety but which is impaled with another that is dimidiated (see also ‘coat of arms 2)’, ‘dimidiated’ and ‘impale’).

2) See ‘throughout’.
ENTRELACΙ
See ‘interlaced’.
ENTY
See ‘pointed’.
ENVECKED
See ‘invected’.
EQUIPOLLE
See ‘checky’.
ERADICATED
The heraldic term for a tree (or possibly a plant) showing its roots (as if it has been torn up).

Arms - Vrbje, Croatia Buchs, Switzerland Arms - Vest-Agder, Norway flag - Vest-Agder, Norway arms - Vidovec, Croatia flag - Vidovec, Croatia
Arms of Vrbje, Croatia (fame); Flag of Buchs, Switzerland (fotw); Arms and Flag of Vest-Agder, Norway (official and fotw); Arms and Flag of Vidovec, Croatia (fotw)

ERASED
The heraldic term used when a charge is cut off as in ‘couped 1)’, but with the dividing line ragged or uneven – see ‘couped 1)’ See ‘appendix V’

Lennik, Belgium Novι Sady, Czech Republic
Flag of Lennik, Belgium (fotw); Flag of Novι Sady, Czech Republic (fotw)

ERMINE
The heraldic term for the fur of that animal, and usually shown as a semι of small black trefoils (with larger tails) on a white field (see also ‘furs’ in ‘appendix III’, ‘potent’, ‘semé’, ‘trefoil’ and ‘vair’).

Brittany  Gistel  UK Other Royal Members standard 
Banner of Arms of Brittany c1400 (fotw); Flag of Gistel, Belgium (fotw); Other Members Royal Standard, UK (Graham Bartram)

Please note that “ermine” is considered symbolic of royalty, and is (accordingly) often seen on royal insignia – see ‘pavilion’.

ERECT
1) See ‘appendix V’.
2) The heraldic term also used when a charge is shown upright, and employed particularly when it is not normally seen in that position.

flag of Sibenik-Knin, Croatia arms of Sibenik-Knin, Croatia Birgu, Malta
Flag and Arms of Sibenik-Knin, Croatia (fotw); Flag of Birgu, Malta (fotw)

ESCALLOP
The heraldic term for a scallop shell generally (but not exclusively) facing downwards, and often representing the badge of a pilgrim.

Flag - Vitanje, Slovenia Arms - Vitanje, Slovenia Flag - Emmetten, Switzerland Flag - Libis, Czech Repblic Arms - Libis Czech Republic
Flag and Arms of Vitanje, Slovenia (fotw); Flag of Emmetten, Switzerland (fotw) Flag and Arms of Libis, Czech Republic (fotw)

ESCUTCHEON
The heraldic term for a shield or base upon which charges or quarterings are placed (see also ‘charge’, ‘impale 1)’, ‘inescutcheon’, ‘quartering’, ‘lozenge’ and ‘shield 10’).

[Escutcheon example] [Escutcheon example]
Escutcheons of Saar and Neustrelitz, Germany (fotw and Jorg Majewski)

ESCUTCHEON OF PRETENCE
See ‘inescutcheon,’

Please note however, that in heraldry this term may not be entirely synonymous with inescutcheon, and it is suggested that a suitable glossary or dictionary of heraldry be consulted for further details.

ESTABLISHMENT OF ARMS
An alternative name for full set of armorial bearings (see also ‘armorial bearings’ and ‘coat of arms).
ESTOILE
The heraldic term for a star or star-like charge that usually (but not exclusively) has six wavy points, and considered by some sources to be interchangeable with mullet – see ‘mullet’.

Please note, we suggest that a glossary or dictionary of heraldry be consulted regarding the terms given above.

ETALON FLAG
See ‘type flag’.
EVENING COLOURS (or COLORS)
See ‘sunset’.
EVERTED
See ‘reversed 2)’.
EVOLUTE
(v) A largely US term for the unrolling of a flag that has been stored rolled around a tube (see also ‘unfurl’).
EXPANDING STRIPE(S)
A term that may be used when a stripe or stripes widen from the hoist to the fly and start from one fixed point (or from two closely spaced points) as in, for example, the flags of the Marshall Islands or the Seychelles - diverging stripes - but see ‘converging stripes’ and ‘beams’ (also ‘radiating 1)’, ‘stripe(s)’ and ‘striped’).

[Escutcheon example]  [Escutcheon example]  [Escutcheon example] 
National Flag of the Marshall Islands (fotw); National Flag of the Seychelles (fotw); Flag of Gσra, Poland (fotw)

Please note that this is not an established term, but has been introduced by the Editors as no suitably accurate alternative could be found

EX-VOTO FLAG
A flag, usually small and plain, displayed (especially by Hindus) to fulfil a religious vow (see also ‘religious flag’).
EYE SPLICE
A closed loop at the end of a rope or halyard formed by splicing the end of the rope back into itself to form an eye – a running eye (see also ‘running eye and toggle’ and ‘becket’).
EYELET
See ‘grommet’.

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