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Candidate Terminology (Vexillology)
Last modified: 2013-12-28 by rob raeside
Keywords: vexillological definitions: proposed |
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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:
- Proposed definitions
- Discussion on the definition
Terms may draw upon or be similar to those on our page on our Dictionary of Vexillology.
Proposed formats
Proposed definitions:
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.
A.P. Burgers, 1 July 2005
Candidate Terminology
None at this time.