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Dictionary of Vexillology: E (Equipollé - Eye Splice)

Last modified: 2013-01-16 by rob raeside
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EQUIPOLLÉ (or EQUIPOLLÉE)
The heraldic term for a checky of nine squares in metal and tincture alternately (which thus form a cross) – a cross equipollé or cross quarter-pierced – but see ‘checky 2) and the note below’.

Sé, Portugal  Sé, Portugal
Arms and Flag of Sé, Portugal (Antonio Martins)

Please note that a cross quarter-pierced need not (although it can) be formed by an equipollé of nine, and we suggest that a suitable glossary or dictionary of heraldry be consulted if further details are required.

Ħ'Attard, Malta
Flag of Ħ'Attard, Malta (fotw)

ERADICATED
The heraldic term for a tree (or possibly a plant) showing its roots (as if it has been torn up).

  Arms - Vrbje, Croatia flag - Vrbje, Croatia Buchs, Switzerland Arms - Vest-Agder, Norway flag - Vest-Agder, Norway  flag - Raron, Switzerland
Arms and Flag of Vrbje, Croatia (fame); Flag of Buchs, Switzerland (fotw); Arms and Flag of Vest-Agder, Norway (official and fotw); Flag of Raron, Switzerland (fotw)

ERASED
The heraldic term used when a charge is cut off as in ‘couped 1)’, but with the dividing line ragged or uneven – see ‘couped 1)’ See ‘appendix V’

Lennik, Belgium Novι Sady, Czech Republic
Flag of Lennik, Belgium (fotw); Flag of Novι Sady, Czech Republic (fotw)

ERMINE
The heraldic term for the fur of that animal, and usually shown as a semι of small black trefoils (with larger tails) on a white field (see also ‘furs’ in ‘appendix III’, ‘potent’, ‘semé’, ‘trefoil’ and ‘vair’).

Brittany  Gistel  UK Other Royal Members standard 
Banner of Arms of Brittany c1400 (fotw); Flag of Gistel, Belgium (fotw); Other Members Royal Standard, UK (Graham Bartram)

Please note that “ermine” is considered symbolic of royalty, and is (accordingly) often seen on royal insignia – see ‘pavilion’.

ERECT
1) See ‘appendix V’.
2) The heraldic term also used when a charge is shown upright, and employed particularly when it is not normally seen in that position.

flag of Sibenik-Knin, Croatia arms of Sibenik-Knin, Croatia Birgu, Malta
Flag and Arms of Sibenik-Knin, Croatia (fotw); Flag of Birgu, Malta (fotw)

ERRONEOUS FLAG
A term sometimes used in place of the more precise terms fictional or fictitious flag – see ‘fictional flag’ and ‘fictitious flag’ (also ‘false flag 1)’).
ESCALLOP
The heraldic term for a scallop shell generally (but not exclusively) facing downwards, and often representing the badge of a pilgrim.

Flag - Vitanje, Slovenia Arms - Vitanje, Slovenia Flag - Emmetten, Switzerland Flag - Libis, Czech Repblic Arms - Libis Czech Republic
Flag and Arms of Vitanje, Slovenia (fotw); Flag of Emmetten, Switzerland (fotw) Flag and Arms of Libis, Czech Republic (fotw)

ESCARBUNCLE
The heraldic term for a charge with a number of radiating arms, and meant to represent the strengthening metalwork of a shield – a carbuncle or charbuncle.

[Escarbuncle example] [Escarbuncle example] [Escarbuncle example] 
Flag of Re, Vestfold, Norway (fotw); Flag of Oostflakkee, The Netherlands (fotw); Flag of Brunegg, Switzerland (fotw)

ESCUTCHEON
The heraldic term for a shield or base upon which charges or quarterings are placed (see also ‘charge’, ‘impale 1)’, ‘inescutcheon’, ‘quartering’, ‘lozenge’ and ‘shield 1’).

[Escutcheon example] [Escutcheon example] [Escutcheon example]
Escutcheons of Saar and Neustrelitz, Germany (fotw and Jorg Majewski); Arms of Magadenovac, Croatia (fotw)

ESCUTCHEON OF PRETENCE (or PRETENSE)
1) The heraldic term used when one country adds the arms of another to its own in order to show a claim to all or part of that country – for example: the arms of France added to those of England from c1350 – 1801 – but see ‘flag of pretence’.
2) See ‘inescutcheon,’

[Royal Standard 1399]
Banner of the Royal Arms (the Royal Standard), England c1399 – 1605 (fotw)

ESTABLISHMENT OF ARMS
An alternative term for a full set of armorial bearings (see also ‘armorial bearings’ and ‘coat of arms).

[Establishment of arms example]
The Establishment of Arms/Armorial Bearings of HM Queen Elizabeth II (for use in Scotland), UK (Graham Bartram)

ESTOILE
The heraldic term for a star or star-like charge that usually (but not exclusively) has six wavy points, and considered by some sources to be interchangeable with mullet – see ‘mullet’.

[Establishment of arms example]

Please note, we suggest that a glossary or dictionary of heraldry be consulted regarding the terms given above.

ETALON FLAG
See ‘model flag’.

[Establishment of arms example]
Flag of Yukon Territory, Canada (Design Details Established by Etalon/Model Flag) (fotw)

EVENING COLOURS (or COLORS)
See ‘sunset’.
EVERTED
See ‘reversed 2)’.

everted example

EVOLUTE
(v) A largely US term for the unrolling of a flag that has been stored rolled around a tube (see also ‘unfurl’).
EXECUTIVE ORDER
In US usage, the legal means by which the President authorizes display of a flag or the amendment of an established design, and the equivalent of a Presidential Decree or Royal Order in Council – see ‘presidential decree’, ‘royal decree’ and ‘royal order in council 2)’ (also ‘flag law’).

[Escutcheon example]
National Flag of the USA 1912 – 1959 as Regulated by Executive Order (fotw)

EXPANDING STRIPE(S)
A term that may be used when a stripe or stripes widen (usually but not invariably) from the hoist to the fly and start from one fixed point (or from two closely spaced points) as in, for example, the flags of the Marshall Islands or the Seychelles - diverging stripes - but see ‘converging stripes’ and ‘beams’ (also ‘radiating 1)’, ‘stripe(s)’ and ‘striped’).

[Expanding stripes example]  [Expanding stripes example]  [Expanding stripes example]  [Expanding stripes example] 
National Flag of the Marshall Islands (fotw); National Flag of the Seychelles (fotw); Flag of Gσra, Poland (fotw); Flag of Amarante do Maranhγo, Brazil (fotw)

Please note that this is not an established term, but has been introduced by the Editors as no suitably accurate alternative could be found

EX-VOTO FLAG
A flag, usually small and plain, displayed (especially by Hindus) to fulfil a religious vow (see also ‘religious flag’).
EYELET
See ‘grommet’.
EYE OF GOD (OF PROVIDENCE or OF DIVINE PROVIDENCE)
The term for a basically ancient symbol composed of an eye contained within by a triangle now taken to symbolize the Trinity, and usually (but not exclusively) surrounded by a nimbus, the rays of a sun or similar – the All-Seeing Eye of God, the Eye of Providence or of Divine Providence, God’s Eye or a Trinity Eye (see also ‘nimbus’, ‘radiant’ and ‘rays 1)’).

[eye of God example] [eye of God example] [eye of God example] [eye of God example] [eye of God example]
Arms and Flag of Czernichσw, Poland (fotw); Flag and Arms of Radzymin, Poland (fotw); Flag of Goppisberg, Switzerland (fotw)

EYE SPLICE
The naval term for a closed loop at the end of a rope or halyard formed by splicing the end of the rope back into itself to form an eye – a running eye – but see ‘becket’ (also ‘running eye and toggle’ and ‘splice’).

[eye splice]

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