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Vexillological symbol
Symbols used to describe flags From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Vexillological symbols are used by vexillologists to indicate certain characteristics of flags, such as where they are used, who uses them, and what they look like. The symbols were created by vexillologist Whitney Smith and then adopted by the International Federation of Vexillological Associations (FIAV) in the early 1970s.[1] Vexillologist Željko Heimer added the symbols for normal and
historical in the early 1990s.[2]
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Status and design symbols
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Vexillological symbols describe information on a flag's recognition status and design.
Examples
Flag of Paraguay
The normal and two-sided symbols indicate this is the obverse side of an authorized flag, and that the reverse side is different.Flag of Antarctica
The de facto symbol indicates the flag is widely accepted and used, but not codified by law.Flag of Eswatini
The mirror symbol indicates that the reverse side of the flag is a mirrored version of the obverse side.Flag of Benelux
The no-flag symbol indicates that this flag cannot be officially used to represent the group or country.Flag of Saudi Arabia
The sinister and equal symbols indicate that the national flag's hoist is on its right side and that its reverse and obverse sides are identical. The vertical inapplicable symbol indicates that the flag cannot have its elements rotated.
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Usage symbols
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The usage symbols are based on a grid of two rows representing use on land and use on water, and three columns representing private use, public use, and military use. Each circle in the grid indicates the flag has one or more of the following six basic usages:
A single design may be associated with no usages or multiple usages. Heimer suggested an additional row for air ensigns, but it has not been adopted by FIAV. The air ensign row refers to flags displayed on aircraft, including when on the ground, and air installations. The air ensign row is placed above the remaining two rows.[3]
Examples
The war flag is used by the Peruvian Army
The naval ensign is used by the Peruvian Navy
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See also
References
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