Vexillology

Study of flags

For the Deadmau5 album, see Vexillology (album).

The flag of the International Federation of Vexillological Associations depicts a sheet bend.

Vexillology (/ˌvɛksɪˈlɒlədʒi/ VEK-sih-LOL-ə-jee) is the study of the history, symbolism and usage of flags or, by extension, any interest in flags in general.[1]

A person who studies flags is a vexillologist, one who designs flags is a vexillographer, and the art of designing flags is called vexillography. One who is a hobbyist or general admirer of flags is a vexillophile.

## Etymology

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The word vexillology is a synthesis of the Latin word vexillum (a kind of square flag which was carried by Roman cavalry)[2] and the Greek suffix -logia ("study").[3]

## History

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American scholar Whitney Smith is acknowledged for conceiving the term "vexillology" in 1957. He wrote "while the use of flags goes back to the earliest days of human civilization, the study of that usage in a serious fashion is so recent that the term for it did not appear in print until 1959."[4][5] Before this time, the study of flags was generally considered a part of heraldry, the study of armorial bearings.[6]

Vexillology was formalized by American scholar Smith in 1961 with the publication of The Flag Bulletin.[7] During his lifetime, Smith organized various flag organizations and meetings including the first International Congress of Vexillology (ICV), the North American Vexillological Association, and the International Federation of Vexillological Associations (FIAV).[8]

Involvement in vexillology includes academic work in fields such as sociology, history, or design. It also includes contributions from the flag industry and interest from those passionate about flags. The ICV and local vexillological meetings often cover a wide range of interests in flags. Since 1969, an International Congress of Vexillology meeting has been organized every two years under the auspices of FIAV; papers presented at an ICV are published afterwards as the Congress's Proceedings.[7]

## Vexillological organizations

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The International Federation of Vexillological Associations (FIAV) is vexillology's international umbrella organization. Notable constituent organizations include the North American Vexillological Association, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Flaggenkunde [de] (English: 'German Society for Flag Studies'), and Flags of the World (FOTW).[9]

## See also

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* Heraldry and Vexillology portal

* Glossary of vexillology
* List of flags by design
* List of national flags by design
* List of vexillologists
* Vexilloid
* Vexillological symbol
* Good Flag, Bad Flag

## References

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1. ^ Smith, Whitney. Flags Through the Ages and Across the World New York: McGraw-Hill, 1975. Print.
2. ^ "Vexillum". Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary. Archived from the original on 16 September 2020. Retrieved 15 September 2020.
3. ^ "Vexillology". Dictionary.com. Retrieved 2024-02-22.
4. ^ "Vexillology". CRW Flags. Archived from the original on 2016-10-24. Retrieved 2017-11-03.
5. ^ "Vexillology". Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary. Archived from the original on 17 September 2020. Retrieved 15 September 2020.
6. ^ Fox-Davies, Arthur Charles (1909). A Complete Guide to Heraldry. London, Edinburgh: T.C. & E.C. Jack. p. 1\. ISBN 9781602390010. OCLC 913797670.
7. ^ a b "Consider Vexillology". semioticon.com – SemiotiX. Archived from the original on 2018-04-01. Retrieved 2018-04-01.
8. ^ Vulliamy, Elsa (December 15, 2015). "Which flag is it? Take our quiz to find out". The Independent. Archived from the original on 2022-08-17. Retrieved March 13, 2016.
9. ^ "Current Members". International Federation of Vexillological Associations. 2022-10-16. Archived from the original on 2021-04-18. Retrieved 2023-02-17.

## Further reading

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* Leepson, Marc. Flag: An American Biography. New York: Thomas Dunne Books, 2005. ISBN 0312323093.
* Marshall, Tim. A Flag Worth Dying For: The Power and Politics of Flag. 2016. ISBN 1501168347.

## External links

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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Vexillology.

* Official website of the International Federation of Vexillological Associations

* v
* t
* e

Vexillology

Basic topics|

* Flag
* History of flags
* Vexillography
* Glossary of vexillology
* Heraldry
* Symbol
* Tincture
* Vexilloid

Design features|

* British ensign
* Canadian pale
* Canton
* Chevron
* Heraldic flag
* Nordic cross
* Portugal
* Pride flag
* Saltire
* Southern cross
* Spanish fess
* Triband
* Tricolour
* Military
* Historical
* Aquila
* Draco
* Labarum
* Vexillum

Color schemes|

* Pan-African
* Pan-Arab
* Malay
* Pan-Slavic
* Pan-Iranian
* Tinctures in heraldry

Organizations|

* Australian Flag Society
* Australian National Flag Association
* Croatian Heraldic and Vexillological Association
* Flag Institute
* Flags of the World
* Genealogical Society of Ireland
* Great Waters Association of Vexillology
* International Federation of Vexillological Associations
* Italian Centre of Vexillological Studies
* Macedonian Heraldry Society
* Nordic Flag Society
* North American Vexillological Association
* Southern African Vexillological Association
* Spanish Society of Vexillology
* State Council of Heraldry
* Ukrainian Heraldry Society
* William Crampton Library

* v
* t
* e

Lists of flags

* Master list
* Reference list

State-related|

* African derivative
* Arab states
* Christian
* Civil flag
* Country
* Date of Adoption
* Heads of state
* Historical flags
* Former sovereign states
* Formerly independent
* Timeline
* By year
* Islamic
* State flag
* State flags and ensigns
* Sovereign
* Special and fictional
* Unrecognized

| Mobile military|

* Armed Forces
* Army and Ground Forces
* Air Forces
* Air Forces Roundels
* Air Forces Fin Flashes
* Border and Coast Guard Forces
* Maritime
* Ministry of Defense
* Naval ensigns
* Naval Jack
* Police Flag

|

Mobile civilian|

* Civil air
* Civil and Merchant Navy
* Civil ensign
* Pilot boat flags and ensigns
* Yacht flags and ensigns

Other entities|

* Country subdivisions
* Cities
* Capitals
* Cultural
* Dependent territories
* Ethnic
* International Organizations
* Micronations
* Olympics and the Paralympics
* Political
* Pride flags
* Proposals
* Religious

By design
(National, Gallery)|

| By elements|

* Animals
* Astronomical
* Bicolor
* Borders
* British ensigns
* Buildings
* Canton
* Circles
* Color
* by number
* by combination
* Crescents
* Crosses
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* Nordic
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* Devices
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* Flags
* Geographical
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* Arabic
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* Keys
* Maps
* Nautical
* Plants
* People
* Quartered
* Solids
* Stars
* Trees
* Triangles
* Tribands
* Two-sided
* Watercraft
* Weapons

|

By shape|

* Non-quadrilateral
* Proportions

By nations|

| Africa|

* Algeria
* Angola
* Benin
* Botswana
* Burkina Faso
* Burundi
* Cameroon
* Cape Verde
* Central African Republic
* Chad
* Comoros
* Democratic Republic of the Congo
* Republic of the Congo
* Djibouti
* Egypt
* Governorates
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* South Africa
* South Sudan
* Sudan
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* Togo
* Tunisia
* Uganda
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* Zimbabwe
* Rhodesia

|

Antarctica|

* Adélie Land
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Asia|

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Europe|

* Albania
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* states
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North America|

* Antigua and Barbuda
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* Barbados
* Belize
* Canada
* lieutenant governors
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* states
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* Nicaragua
* Panama
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* Saint Lucia
* Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
* Trinidad and Tobago
* United States
* states and territories
* ensigns
* jacks
* armed forces
* Puerto Rico
* CSA

Oceania|

* Australia
* state governors
* Christmas Island
* Cocos (Keeling) Islands
* Norfolk Island
* Federated States of Micronesia
* Fiji
* Kiribati
* Marshall Islands
* Nauru
* New Zealand
* Palau
* states
* Papua New Guinea
* Samoa
* Solomon Islands
* Tonga
* Tuvalu
* Vanuatu

South America|

* Argentina
* Bolivia
* Brazil
* Chile
* Colombia
* Ecuador
* Guyana
* Paraguay
* Peru
* Suriname
* Uruguay
* Venezuela

Names in italics indicate non-sovereign (dependent) territories, disputed states and/or former countries.

* v
* t
* e

National flags and coats of arms

National flags|

* Sovereign states
* Dependent territories
* Timeline

National coats of arms|

* Sovereign states
* Dependent territories

Heraldry portal

* v
* t
* e

Heraldry

* Authorities
* Grant of arms
* History
* Law of arms
* Officers of arms
* King of Arms
* herald
* pursuivant
* private

Types|

* National
* dominion
* civic
* Ecclesiastical
* papal
* Burgher
* Women
* Attributed

Topics|

* Armiger
* Augmentation
* abatement
* Ancient and modern
* Alliance
* courtesy
* Blazon
* Cadency
* distinction
* Canting
* Field
* divisions
* variations
* Fraud
* Marshalling
* quartering
* impalement
* National traditions
* Societies

Achievement|

* Coat of arms
* Crowns and coronets
* Crest
* Compartment
* Escutcheon
* Helmet
* Mantling
* pavilion
* Motto
* slogan
* Supporter
* Torse

Charges|

* Attitudes
* Erasure
* Fimbriation
* Lines

| Ordinaries|

* Annulet
* Bar
* Bend
* Bordure
* Canton
* Chevron (Łękawica)
* Componée
* Cross
* Crozier head
* Chief
* Fess
* Flaunch
* Goutte
* Gyron
* Hamade
* Inescutcheon
* Label
* Lozenge
* Orle
* Pale
* Pall
* Pile
* Roundel
* Bezant
* Saltire

|

Beasts|

* Bear
* Boar
* Bull/ox
* Dog/hound
* Camelopard
* Hind/stag
* Kangaroo
* Leopard
* Lion
* Wolf

Birds|

* Alerion
* Black swan
* Cock
* Crow
* Dove
* Eagle
* Szaszor
* Przepaska
* Martlet
* Pelican

Other|

* Bee
* Crapaudy
* Dolphin
* Emmet
* Ged
* Lucy
* Portcullis
* Reremouse
* Scallop
* Serpent
* Wolfsangel

Legendary|

* Allocamelus
* Alphyn
* Amphiptere
* Basilisk
* Biscione
* Chollima
* Cockatrice
* Dragon
* Chinese
* Enfield
* Garuda
* Griffin/Keythong
* Harpy
* Hippocampus
* Hippogriff
* Lampago
* Lindworm
* Manticore
* Mermaid
* Musimon
* Ouroboros
* Pantheon
* Panther
* Pegasus
* Phoenix
* Salamander
* Sea-griffin
* Sea-lion
* Tyger
* Unicorn
* Winged lion
* Woodwose
* Wyvern
* Yale

Plants|

* Fleur-de-lis
* Laurel wreath
* Oak
* Quatrefoil
* Rose
* Shamrock
* Trefoil
* Thistle
* Turnip
* Waterlily/Seeblatt

Knots|

* Bourchier
* Bowen
* Cavendish/Savoy
* Dacre
* Harrington
* Hastings/Hungerford
* Heneage
* Hinckaert
* Hungerford knot
* Lacy
* Ormonde/Wake
* Savoy
* Stafford
* Tristram/Bowen
* Wake

Tinctures|

* Rule of tincture
* Tricking
* Hatching

| Metals|

* Argent (white)
* Or (gold)

|

Colours|

* Gules (red)
* Sable (black)
* Azure (blue)
* Vert (green)
* Purpure (purple)1

Furs|

* Ermine
* Ermines
* Erminois
* Erminites
* Pean
* Vair
* Potent

Stains|

* Murrey (mulberry)
* Sanguine (blood red)
* Tenné

Rare metals1|

* Copper
* Buff (metal in the United States)

Rare colours1|

* Bleu celeste
* Brunâtre (brown)
* Buff (color in Canada)
* Cendrée
* Ochre
* Orange
* Rose

Realistic|

* Proper
* Carnation

Applications|

* Bookplate
* Hatchment
* Flag
* banner of arms
* Badge
* Roll of arms
* Illyrian
* Seal
* equestrian
* Tabard
* Trophy of arms

Related|

* Mon
* Emblem
* socialist
* Logotype
* Phaleristics
* Vexillology
* Sigillography

* 1 Non-traditional, regional, or rarely used (sometimes considered unheraldic)
* List of oldest heraldry
* Heraldry portal
* resources

* v
* t
* e

Phaleristics

Auxiliary science of history and numismatics about orders, decorations, and medals

Distinctions
(Lists)|

| By conferee|

| Founts of honour*|

* States
* and their national/public/official authorities
* Dynasties
* heads of currently or formerly sovereign royal families

|

Private|

* Ecclesiastical
* Organisations
* Commercial
* (Self-styled order)

By type|

| Orders|

* Order of chivalry
* Military order
* Colonial order
* Order of merit
* Royal family order

| Titles
(Styles,
Post-nominal)|

| By function|

* Grand master
* Chancellor
* Treasurer
* Assessor
* Bailiff
* Prior
* Chaplain
* Master of ceremonies

|

* Grand Cross/Grand Cordon
* Commander
* Officer
* Hospitaller
* Knight/Dame
* Postulant
* Squire
* Page

Jurisdictions|

* Charter
* Bailiwick
* Chapter
* Commandery
* Obedience
* Grand Lodge
* Lodge

Others,
by field|

| Military
(List)|

* List of highest
* Campaign medal
* Law enforcement

|

Civilian
(List)|

| Society|

* Peace
* Intellectual freedom
* Human rights
* Law
* Humanitarianism
* Politics
* Volunteer

|

Culture|

* Architecture
* Art
* Film
* History
* Literature
* Music
* Philosophy
* Poetry
* Theatre

* Science
* Religion-related
* Ecclesiastical
* Sports
* Scouting
* Beauty

By insignia
(Named after
people)|

| For wearing
(decorations)|

| Formal|

* Collar
* Grand Cross/Grand Cordon
* with sash
* Medal
* Necklet
* Medal bar
* Medal ribbon

|

Other|

* Rosette
* Award pin
* Lapel pin
* Collar pin
* Tie pin
* Badge
* Heraldic
* Pilgrim
* Epaulette
* Ribbon
* Ring
* Button
* Campaign
* Service
* Shoulder mark

Prizes|

* Trophy
* War
* Plaquette
* Rosette
* Money
* Prizes known as the Nobel of a field

Ceremonies
and events|

* Accolade
* Vigil
* Feoffment
* Passage fee
* Festival
* Vow
* Collar day

Related
organisations|

* Fraternity
* Confraternity
* Fraternal order
* Fraternities and sororities
* Secret society
* Guild
* Syndicate
* Learned society
* Fellowship
* Honor society
* Hereditary society
* Club
* Gentlemen's club
* International Commission for Orders of Chivalry
* Magical organization
* Religious order

Related
concepts|

* Chivalry
* Numismatics
* Heraldry
* Vexillology
* Service flag
* Battle honour
* Campaign streamer
* Nobility
* Order of precedence
* Honorary degree
* Devotional medal
* Awareness ribbon
* Code of conduct
* Code of honor

* * = Direct or indirect reference to fount of honour is the accepted criterion for official distinctions
* Category:Orders, decorations, and medals
* Wikipedia:WikiProject Orders, decorations, and medals
* Wikipedia:WikiProject Awards

Authority control databases

National|

* Czech Republic
* Latvia

Other|

* Encyclopedia of Modern Ukraine

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