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Dictionary of Vexillology: P (Processional Banner - Putative Flag)

Last modified: 2024-09-14 by rob raeside
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PROCESSIONAL BANNER
See ‘banner 3)’.

PROCLAMATION
See ‘royal proclamation’.

Union Flag
The Union Flag as Proclaimed in 1801 (Željko Heimer)


PROPER
The heraldic term used when a charge or figure is shown in its natural shape and colours, as opposed to stylised heraldic colours or shapes – see ‘aqua’, ‘carnation’, ‘cendrée’ and ‘terry’.

Sousel Delaware  Dubrava
Flag of Sousel, Portugal (fotw); Arms of Delaware, USA (fotw); Flag of Dubrava, Croatia (fotw)


PROPORTIONS
1) The relationship between the width and length of a flag, usually expressed in that order that is, for example 1:2, but sometimes also in the reverse or 2:1 – the ratio or aspect ratio (see also dimensions', ‘length’, ‘rectangle’ and ‘width’)
2) The relative dimensions of two or more stripes or bands within a flag, (whether disposed vertically horizontally or diagonally) - internal proportions (see also ‘optical proportions’ and ‘stripe’).

proportions example


PROPOSAL
See ‘flag proposal’.

proposal
Proposal for the Flag of the Portuguese Colony of Cabo Verde, 1967 (fotw)


PROTEST BANNER
See ‘banner 3)’ (also ‘political flag 2)’).

PROTEST FLAG
A flag, as opposed to a banner as defined herein, that is specifically designed to express a popular sentiment – but see political flag’ and the note below (also ‘banner 3)’).

protest flag protest flag protest flag
Protest Flag 2010, Taiwan (fotw); Extinction Rebellion Flag 2018 (fotw); Aboriginal Protest Flag 1972, Australia (fotw).

Please note that protests often have a political motivation, and therefore, the difference between this and a political flag is often blurred.


PROTO-FLAG
See ‘vexilloid 2)’.

PROTOTYPE FLAG
1. A term which may be used to describe that flag which forms a basis for any subsequent design refinements before final adoption - see ‘model flag’.
2. See ‘vexilloid 2)’.

Brabantine revolution Belgium
Flag of The Brabantine Revolution 1790 (fotw) and National Flag of Belgium (as established 1831) (fotw)

Please note with regard to 1) that this is not an established term in the above context, but has been extended by the Editors since no established alternative could be found.


PROTO-VEXILLOID
A term proposed and recorded by W Smith in 1969 but never adopted, and originally intended to describe an object that fulfils the function of a flag but which is not a flag – see ‘vexilloid 1)’.

PROVINCIAL ARMS (or COAT OF ARMS)
1) The arms of a territorial division within a country when that area is called a province – for example one of the provinces (regions) of The Netherlands or of Argentina (see also ‘coat of arms’, ‘provincial crown 1)’ and ‘sub-national flag’).
2) In UK usage a colloquial term for the arms that relate to those areas which lie outside the capital and its surrounding districts.

provincial arms provincial arms provincial arms
Arms of Friesland Province, The Netherlands (fotw); Arms of Chubut Province, Argentina (fotw); Arms of The Isle of Wight, UK (fotw)


PROVINCIAL CROWN
1) Specifically, the term – and an adaptation of the Italian corona per il titolo di provincia – that may be used to describe a plain-topped coronet with crossed branches (of foliage) running through it, which is seen on many Italian provincial arms/gonfalone – an Italian provincial crown – see ‘provincial arms’ (also ‘coronet’, ‘gonfalon 1)’ and ‘mural crown’).
2) Generically, the term may also be used to describe a coronet of any pattern, when such appears ensigned above the arms of a province – see ‘coronet’ (also ‘ensigned’).

provincial crwon
Provincial Crown from the Arms and Gonfalon of Agrigento Province, Italy (Wikipedia)


PROVINCIAL EMBLEM
See ‘emblem, state, national, provincial or royal’ under ‘emblem’.

provincial emblem provincial emblem provincial emblem
Flag of Eyüp Province, Turkey (fotw); Flag of Ağrı Province. Turkey (fotw); Former Flag of Bingöl Province, Turkey (fotw)


PROVINCIAL FLAG
1) See ‘sub-national flag’ (also ‘provincial arms 1)’ and ‘provincial crown 1)’.
2) In UK usage a colloquial term for the flags that relate to those areas which lie outside the capital and its surrounding districts.

provincial flag provincial flag provincial flag
Flag of the Chieti province, Italy (fotw); ; Flag of Chubut Province, Argentina (fotw); Flag of The Isle of Wight, UK (fotw)


PROVINCIAL WIMPEL (or PENNANT)
In Scandinavian usage, a long, trapezoidal wimpel or pennant, usually in the relevant provincial livery colours and often flown from domestic flagpoles to indicate that the owner is in residence – a husband pennant - but see ‘wimpel 1)’ (also ‘livery colours’ and ‘trapeziod 2)’).

Alands wimpel
The Provincial Wimpel of the Aland Islands (fotw)


PSEUDO-FLAG
See ‘fictitious flag’ (also ‘flagoid’ and ‘fictional flag’).

pseudo-flag
Fictitious Soviet Naval Flag from the Film K19 (fotw)


PULLDOWN (or PULL-DOWN)
In US usage now increasingly obsolete, a flag (or bunting usually in flag colours) that is displayed flat against a wall for decoration - an advertising pulldown (see also ‘bunting 2)’.

pulldown  pulldown  pulldown
Pulldowns: National Flag, Mourning and POW/MIA (fotw)


PULLEY
See ‘sheaved block’.

PUMPOUT ALERT (REQUEST or REQUIRED) PENNANT
In US maritime, lake and inland waterway usage, the terms used for a pennant (of regulated design and possibly made from non-flexible material), which may now be displayed to indicate that a leisure vessel requires the waste disposal service introduced by various Clean Vessel Acts – but see ‘pumpout flag

pumpout alert
Regulated Design of the Pumpout Alert Pennant (CS)


PUMPOUT FLAG (or PENNANT)
In US maritime, lake and inland waterway usage, the term for a flag or pennant (of regulated design) that is flown in accordance with various Clean Vessel Acts to indicate the location or availability of a toilet waste disposal service for leisure vessels - see ‘clean marina flag’ and ‘pumpout alert pennant’.

pumpout flag pumpout flag pumpout flag
Regulated Designs for the Pumpout Flag, Symbol and pennant (official website)


PUNNING ARMS
An alternative heraldic term for canting arms – see ‘canting’.

[colour example] [colour example]
Arms and Flag of Łódź (or boat), Poland (fotw)


PURPURE
A heraldic term for the colour purple (see also ‘rule of tincture’).

[colour example]


PUSHPIT FLAG STAFF
A 19th Century term, now almost certainly obsolete, for the stern mounted ensign staff of a sailing yacht (see also ‘ensign staff’).

Please note that pushpit (also called a stern pulpit) is nautical slang for that railing which encloses the stern of a sailing yacht.


PUTATIVE FLAG
The term for a flag which is generally considered (or reputed to be or to have been) extant, but for which no definitive evidence exists (see also ‘attributed flag’, ‘reconstruction’, ‘speculative flag’ and ‘suppositious flag’).

[colour example] [colour example]
Putative Flag of the Algarve 18th C, Portugal (fotw); Putative Banner of Arms of Clare Hall College, UK (fotw).


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