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Dictionary of Vexillology: S (Snakehead Cross - Spur Rowel)

Last modified: 2013-05-10 by rob raeside
Keywords: vexillological terms |
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SNAKEHEAD CROSS
A term that may be used for that variation of a cross moline where the curved pieces at the ends are each formed by the head of a snake – but see ‘cross moline’ in ‘appendix VIII’ (also ‘cross 2)’).

[Zweeloo, NL] [Schinnen, NL] [Munstergeleen, NL]
Flag of Zweeloo, The Netherlands (fotw); Flag of Schinnen, The Netherlands (fotw); Flag of Munstergeleen, The Netherlands (fotw)

Please note that a snakehead-cross appears to be limited to Dutch usage.

SOLAR DISC (or DISK)
See ‘disc’

[Yakutia]
Flag of Yakutia, Russian Federation (fotw)

SOLAR SIGN (or EMBLEM)
In largely East European and West Asian usage, a stylized emblem (of varying design) that symbolizes an ancient or ancestral veneration of the sun – but see note below (also ‘emblem 1)’).

[Ingushetia] [Khakassia] [Mordovia]
Flag of Ingushetia, Russia (fotw); Flag of Khakassia, Russia (fotw); Flag of Mordovia, Russia (fotw)

Please note that the solar sign is not a stylized representation of the sun itself, but refers rather to its veneration or worship – see ‘sun emblem’.

SONS OF SERVICE FLAG
See ‘service flag 4)’.

single star service pennant two star service pennant single gold star/two blue star service pennant Canadian service pennant
Sons in Service Flags US (fotw); Canada (CS)

SOUTHERN CROSS
1) A stylized representation of the constellation Crux Australis, and used as a symbol on flags in the Southern Hemisphere – as on those of, for example, Australia, New Zealand and Samoa.
2) A colloquial name for the saltire as used by the Confederate States of America on its battle flag, naval jack and later national flags (see also ‘battle flag 1)’ ‘stainless banner’ and ‘stars and bars’).

[Southern Crosses] [Southern Crosses] [Southern Crosses]
From left: Civil Ensign of Australia (fotw); National Flag of Samoa (fotw); Second Naval Jack 1863-1865, CSA (fotw)

SOUTH-EAST DIAGONAL
A diagonal stripe that runs from the lower hoist to the upper fly whose corners may (or may not) touch the corners of the flag, but whose width is contained within the length of the flag at the hoist and its width at the fly (see also ‘Appendix XI’, ‘ascending diagonal’, ‘descending diagonal’, ‘east-west diagonal’, ‘north-east diagonal’, ‘north-south diagonal’, ‘south-north diagonal’, ‘west-north diagonal’, ‘west-east diagonal’, and ‘west-south diagonal’).

Bestin, Czech Republic Lazne Libverda, Czech Republic
Flag of Bestin, Czech Republic (CS): Flag of Lazne Libverda, Czech Republic (fotw)

Please note that this term, whilst an extension of those existing and established, has been introduced by the editors.

SOUTH-NORTH DIAGONAL
A diagonal stripe that runs from the lower hoist to the upper fly whose corners may or may not touch the corners of the flag but whose width is entirely contained within the length of the flag – an enhanced bend sinister - see ‘bend’ and ‘Appendix IX’ ‘ascending diagonal’, ‘descending diagonal’, ‘east-south diagonal’, ‘east-west diagonal’, ‘north-east diagonal’, ‘north-south diagonal’, ‘south-east diagonal’, ‘west-east diagonal’, ‘west-north diagonal’, and ‘west-south diagonal’).

FNLA, Angola Satalice, Czech Republic
Flag of the FNLA, Angola (fotw); Flag of Satalice, Czech Republic (CS)

SOUVENIR FLAGS (or PENNANTS)
1) A generic term for flags or pennants exchanged during sporting matches by the captains of the contending teams – a flag exchange (see also 'club pennant', ‘sports flag 1)’ and ‘sports flag 2)’).
2) Burgees presented to a club by visiting yachts, or collected by such visitors for display at their home port (see also ‘burgee 1)’ and ‘club pennant’).
3) See ‘brag flags’.
4) See ‘commemorative flag’.
5) Small flags or pennants sold (or issued) to school children and/or street-lining spectators for the purpose of waving at visiting dignitaries - usually in honour of a specific event (see also 'handwaver').

Please note however, it is strongly suggested that the types of flag given above are better defined by their type and/or circumstances of presentation, and that the more precise terms (as listed separately herein) are to be preferred in description.

SOVEREIGN'S BANNER
1) In British Army usage the ceremonial flag (equivalent to a military colour or guidon) of the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst (see also ‘banner 6)’, ‘colour 2)’, ‘colours 2)’ and ‘guidon 2)’).
2) In Australian military usage the term given to a special ceremonial flag presented to a military organization by Her Majesty The Queen in place of or in addition to colours (see also ‘banner 6)’, ‘colour 2)’ and ‘colours 2)’).
SOVEREIGN'S COLOUR (or COLOR)
See ‘colours 2)’.
SOVEREIGN'S STANDARD
1) Specifically in British military usage, that flag carried as a special mark of distinction by the Life Guards and the Blues and Royals - the Household Cavalry (see also ‘union standard’ and ‘standard 2)’).
2) Generically see ‘royal standard 1)’.

[Sovereign standard]
Sovereign's Standard of the Blues and Royals, UK (Graham Bartram)

SPANISH-STYLE (or SPANISH) SHIELD
The term sometimes used to describe a round-bottomed shield – a Spanish or Spanish-shaped shield (see also ‘semi-circular shield’, ‘gothic shield’ with its following note, ‘rectangular shield’, ‘shield 2)’ and ‘triarched triangular shield’).

SPANISH-STYLE (SPANISH-SHAPED or SPANISH) TRIBAND
A term for a horizontal triband, either plain or defaced, with internal proportions of 1-2-1 (see also ‘defaced 1)’, ‘internal proportions’, ‘plain 2)’, ‘triband 1)’ and ‘unequal triband’).

Spain Lebanon Cambodia
Civil Flag/Ensign of Spain (fotw); National Flag of Lebanon (fotw); National Flag of Cambodia (fotw)

SPECIFICATION (or SPEC)
1) The detailed description, either by diagram or in writing, of how the design of a flag is constructed see ‘specification sheet’ below (also ‘dimensions’, ‘proportions’ and ‘type flag’).
2) The act of drawing up such design details.
SPECIFICATION SHEET (or SPEC SHEET)
The detailed visual presentation of how the design of a flag is constructed, usually showing construction lines and figures and often including the source or sources of any such information – a construction sheet (see also ‘de jure’, ‘dimensions’, ‘flag law’, ‘proportions’, ‘specification’ above and ‘type flag’).

Sao Tome and Principe specification sheet
Specification sheet for the Flag of Sao Tome and Principe (CS)

SPIRAL DECORATION
A term for the practice, now increasingly (but not entirely) obsolete, of decorating a flag pole or the staff of a parade flag or military colour with a spiral decoration, usually in the national or livery colours and often accompanied by a cravat (see also ‘colour 2)’, ‘colour 3)’, ‘cravat 1)’, ‘livery colours’ and ‘parade flag’).

[example of a spiral decoration] [example of a spiral decoration]
State Flag of San Marino (fotw & CS); National Flag of Brazil on a Military Flagpole (fotw & CS)

SPLICE
1) A naval term for the joint in two pieces of line, halyard or cable, and created by weaving the strands into each other (see also ‘eye splice’).
2) (v) The act of creating a joint as detailed above.
SPLITFLAG (or SPLITTFLAG)
1) A term that may be officially used to describe the shape of the Danish state flag/naval ensign and of its variants (see also ‘dannebrog’ and ‘double-pointed’).
2) A term that may also be used in other Scandinavian countries (particularly Norway with the alternative spelling given above) in place of ‘double pointed’, ‘swallow-tail(ed)’ or ‘swallow tail and tongue’.

[Denmark naval/state flag - double pointed] [Denmark naval/state flag - double pointed]
The State Flag/Naval Ensign of Denmark (fotw); State/War Flag of Norway (fotw)

SPORTING BANNER
See ‘banner 3)’.
SPORT SUPPORTER'S FLAG/PENNANT
See ‘sports flag 2)’.

[Northern Ireland Football Supporters, UK]
Northern Ireland Football Supporters, UK (fotw)

SPORTS (or SPORTING) FLAG (or PENNANT)
1) A flag – often the appropriate national or provincial flag – bearing (or defaced with) the name of a sporting club or related slogan (see also ‘car flag 2)’, ‘defaced’ and ‘souvenir flag 1)’).
2) A flag or pennant, usually in the club or school colours, bearing an emblem (and often associated lettering) that represents a sporting club or school team  – a sport supporter'S or supporters flag/pennant or a fan'S flag/pennant (see also ‘car flag 2)’, ‘institutional flags/pennants’ and ‘souvenir flag’).
3) The flag of a national or international sporting organization (see also ‘international flag(s) 2)’).
4) One of a varied number of flags that are used to regulate or to assist in running a sporting activity – for example, the chequered flag in motor racing.

[Liverpool Football Club] [Liverpool Football Club] [Arica y Parinacota, Chile ] [Dutch Football Association] [Checkered flag]
From left: Liverpool Football Club, UK (CS and fotw); Arica y Parinacota, Chile (Ivan Sache); Dutch Football Association; Chequered Flag (fotw)

Please note with regard to 1) that in some countries the practice of defacing a national or sub-national flag as described above is either discouraged or is illegal, but continues to be employed by sports fans regardless.

SPUR ROWEL
See ‘rowel’.

[Spur rowel] [Spur rowel]
Example: Flag of Norden, Germany (fotw)

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