1) In vexillology a term that may be used when one charge is placed above or at the top of another – but see ‘above 1)’ (also ‘charge 1)’ and ‘topped 1)’).
2) In heraldry the term used when an ordinary or a charge (or charges) is (or are) placed over – that is in front of – another as per the examples given below, and which generally (although not exclusively) touches the field – but see the notes below, ‘debruised’ and ‘overall 2)’) (also ‘charge 1)’, ‘ensigned’, ‘ordinary’ and ‘throughout’.
a) The correct heraldic term for a charge (such as a crown or coronet) placed above rather than over - that is in front of - another is ‘ensigned’.
b) Also please note, it is suggested that a glossary or dictionary or heraldry be consulted with regard to comparative use of the terms “overall” and “surmounted by”.
In heraldry see ‘overall 2)’.
See ‘fan’ (also ‘bunting 2)’).
1) A V-shaped cut in the fly of a flag or pennant and forming two points - fork/forked tail or fork-tailed - but see 'double pointed' (also ‘crutch’ ‘fly 1)’, ‘indentation(s)’, ‘orthogonal’, ‘palm’, ‘rounded swallow-tail’ and ‘hussar cut’).
2) adj A flag or pennant having such a cut or cuts in the fly (see also ‘swallowtail and tongue’, ‘triangular-tongued’ and ‘triple-tailed 2)’)..
A flag as above, but having a third tail between the other two and so coming to three points at the fly - triple-tailed or tongued, or three-tongued, or a double- or triple-swallowtail (see also ‘indentation(s)’ ‘palm’, ‘square-tongued’, ‘tails’, ‘tongue(s) 1)’, ‘triangular-tongued’ and ‘triple-tailed 2)’).
An ancient symbol in the form of an equal-armed cross with each arm continued at a right angle, presently used (running anti-clockwise) as the emblem of a Chinese humanitarian organization founded in 1922, (in a clock-wise form) on the presidential flag of Finland, and until 1945 as the emblem of the German Nazi Party – a crooked/hooked cross, fylfot or cross potent rebated (see also ‘arrow cross’, ‘cross 2)’, ‘rune(s)’ and ‘sun cross’).
A sharp-edged weapon consisting of a blade and a hilt (handle), that may be equipped with a handguard and usually also a pommel. Swords vary much with period and region, although in general (vexillogical use) the name refers to a weapon having a double-edged blade, with a hilt, cross-guard and pommel, and based upon a classical Roman short-sword - the gladius (see also ‘sabre’, ‘scimitar’ and ‘zulfikar’.
Please note that the many types of sword are beyond the remit of this dictionary, and it is suggested that a suitable source be consulted if further details are required.
See ‘cross fitchy’ and ‘cross of Santiago’.
1) Generically, the vexilloid, flag, coat of arms, emblem or badge that may be considered representative or symbolic of a nation, region, municipality, people, organization or cause – see ‘badge 1)’, ‘coat of arms 1), ‘emblem 1)’, ‘emblem, military or governmental’, ‘emblem, state or national’, ‘vexilloid 1)’ and ‘vexilloid 1)’.
2) Specifically, see ‘Logo 1)’.