This page is part of © FOTW Flags Of The World website
Dictionary of Vexillology: H (Head – Historical Flag)
Last modified: 2026-01-31 by martin karner
Keywords: vexillological terms |
Links: FOTW homepage |
search |
disclaimer and copyright |
write us |
mirrors
On this page:
HEAD
See hoist 1) (also
heading and
masthead).
HEAD, FLAGSTAFF
The topmost point of a flagstaff from which a flag can be flown, and which lies below the cap or
finial – see finial.
HEADING (or HEADER)
A piece of heavy material, usually canvas or double-ply bunting, along the
hoist edge of a flag, into which a rope is sewn as the hoistline, or into
which grommets are inserted to facilitate the hoisting of a flag – a hoist strip (see also
sleeve 2), hoistline,
grommet 1) and hoist 1)).
Please note that the increasingly (but by no means entirely) obsolete practice of fixing a flag to
its pole or staff by a series of attached loops is almost certainly based on the earlier use of ties –
see loops (also ring 4) and
ties).
HEADQUARTERS FLAG
1) See camp flag.
2) In US military, naval and some other usage, the rank flag of a commanding officer when flown
from their headquarters ashore – a designating (of headquarters) flag (see also
rank flag 1) and
flag of command).
Headquarters/Camp Flag, Royal Marine Commandos, UK;
Rank/Headquarters Flag, Vice Admiral USN
HEADSTICK
In largely naval usage a short piece of wood sewn into the top of a flag’s heading to allow
the Inglefield clip to be attached about five cm from the top, thus permitting the flag to be
hoisted right up to the truck, while enabling the top hoist corner of the flag to
remain straight and upright – but see frame 2)
(also Appendix I,
Inglefield clip and
truck).
HEAD OF STATE'S COLOUR (or COLOR)
That flag presented to a military formation by a country’s ruler – see
colour 2) and
colours 2).
Presidential Colour of Kenya;
Queen’s Colour of Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry;
King’s Colour RAF 1947–1952, UK
HEAD OF STATE'S STANDARD (or FLAG)
Royal, Imperial or Presidential standard (or flag) – see
royal standard 1),
imperial standard 1) and
presidential standard.
Royal Standard of The Netherlands;
Presidential Flag 1994–2005 of Sri Lanka;
Imperial Standard of Germany 1871–1918
HEART-SHAPED SHIELD
1) See Renaissance shield.
2) See triangular heart-shaped shield.
vu-il.gif)
pn-ti.gif)
Arms of Ilok, Croatia; Flag and Arms of
Tinjan, Croatia
Please note that several of the terms describing a specific type of shield are still in the process
of standardization, and that no consistent approach has thus far been identified.
HEART SHIELD
The term, and a translation of the German herzschild, sometimes used in heraldic blazoning
instead of the correct (English) term inescutcheon.
kn.gif)
Arms and Flag of Kamienna Góra, Poland
HEIGHT
1) The vertical measurement of an emblem, shield, charge or badge when detailing the dimensions
– but see width 3) (also
dimensions and
width across).
2) See width 1).
HELM (or HELMET)
The metal headpiece from a suit of armour usually ensigned above the shield in a coat
of arms or set of armorial bearings, but sometimes seen as a separate charge – a helmet or casque
(see also
Appendix IV,
armorial bearings,
coat of arms,
crest 1),
ensigned,
shield and
wreath 2)).
Flag of Helmond, The Netherlands;
Flag of Josipdol, Croatia;
Flag of Rantzau, Germany
Please note that in English heraldry the style and positioning of a helm varies according to the rank of
the bearer, and it is suggested that a suitable glossary or dictionary of heraldry be consulted for full
details.
Helmet of a Knight in English Heraldry (Wikimedia)
HERALDIC BADGE
See badge in heraldry under
badge.
![[heraldic badge]](../images/v/vx-tudorrose.gif)
Badge of the Royal House of Tudor 1486–1603, England (aroyalheraldry.weebly.com)
HERALDIC BANNER
A banner of arms
(see also armorial banner 2)).
![[Banner of Drahelčice]](../images/v/vx-cz-pz-dr.gif)
![[Arms of Drahelčice]](../images/v/vx-cz-pz)dr.gif)
Heraldic Banner and Arms of Drahelčice, Czechia
HERALDIC BEASTS
The animals, birds, fish and mythological creatures used as supporters and/or charges in a
set of armorial bearings, or on a banner of arms or a flag – but see note below (also
armorial bearings,
banner of arms,
dragon,
griffin,
mermaid, pegasus,
phoenix,
sea-lion and
supporters).
![[heraldic beast]](../images/v/vx-hr-vz-vt.gif)
![[heraldic beast]](../images/v/vx-je~gov.gif)
![[heraldic beast]](../images/v/vx-hr-gs-ud.gif)
Flag of Varaždinske Toplice, Croatia;
Blue Ensign of Jersey, UK;
Flag of Udbina, Croatia
Please note that the basic attitudes of heraldic beasts are listed/briefly described herein, and may be
found at
couchant,
erect,
forcene,
guardant,
haurient,
naiant,
passant,
rampant,
regardant,
salient,
segreant and
urinant.
HERALDIC COLOURS
See tinctures.
HERALDIC FOUNTAIN
See fountain 1).
![[heraldic fountain]](../images/v/vx-pt-cntsg).gif)
![[heraldic fountain]](../images/v/vx-pt-cntsg.gif)
Arms and Flag of Sanguinheira, Portugal
HERALDIC LILY
See fleur-de-lis.
![[heraldic lily]](../images/v/vx-pl-ld)do.gif)
![[heraldic lily]](../images/v/vx-pl-ld-do.gif)
Arms and Flag of Domaniewice, Poland
HERALDIC STANDARD
1) In English usage, a flag of heraldic design, long and tapering, possibly with a rounded or
double-rounded (lanceolate or double-tailed descate) fly carrying the owner’s badge and motto
(sometimes also a national symbol or personal arms), and bordered in his livery colours. Originally used
as an identifying symbol by medieval noblemen, and still occasionally flown by those entitled to it
(see also
badge in heraldry,
banner of arms,
double-tailed descate,
lance pennon 1),
lanceolate and
motto).
2) The headquarters flag of a Scottish nobleman or clan chief (and a standard
as defined above), it is
between 3.5 and 7.5 m long (dependent upon rank) and tapers from 120 cm to 80 cm. The hoist carries
either the national flag or owner’s arms, whilst the tail is in the main livery colours and has
the motto (usually on diagonal bands) separated by the owner’s crest and other badges. The tail is
generally split into two rounded (double-tailed descate) ends (except for those chiefs who do not hold a
title of nobility, baronetcy or knighthood whose standards have a simple rounded or lanceolate end), and
the whole is edged or fringed with alternating livery colours (see also
battle standard,
double-tailed descate,
great standard,
lanceolate, and
pageant standard).
![[Heraldic standard example]](../images/v/vx-mastergunner.gif)
![[Heraldic standard example]](../images/v/vx-henryiv.gif)
Heraldic standard of the Master Gunner St James’
Park UK (Graham Bartram); Heraldic Standard of
King Henry IV c1450, England
Notes
a) With regard to 1), in English heraldry the entitlement to a heraldic standard
is consequent upon the granting or possession of a badge, but is not dependent upon rank (see also
badge in heraldry).
b) Regarding 2) in Scottish heraldry the entitlement to a standard (and to
heraldic flags other than a banner of arms) is consequent upon a separate grant by the Lord Lyon King of
Arms (see also
pinsel and guidon 3)).
HERALDICALLY BASED FLAG
See armorial banner 2) and
livery colours.
![[Heraldically based]](../images/v/vx-cz-uo)lk.gif)
![[Heraldically based]](../images/v/vx-cz-uo-lk.gif)
![[Heraldically based]](../images/v/vx-sk)galan.gif)
![[Heraldically based]](../images/v/vx-sk-galan.gif)
Arms and Flag of Lanškroun, Czechia;
Arms and Flag of Galanta, Slovakia
HERALDRY
The science concerned with the designing, interpretation, recording and blazoning of
those armorial bearings and/or heraldic insignia that pertain to an individual, an
institution or to a corporate entity (see also
anti-heraldry,
armorial bearings,
blazon,
coat of arms 2),
insignia
and pre-heraldic).
Banner of Arms, Hampshire, UK;
Armorial Bearings, Staffordshire, UK;
Banner of Arms, Lancashire, UK
HERZSCHILD
The German term for an inescutcheon.
Flag of Ippesheim, Germany
HIGH COMMISSIONER’S FLAG
In British and US usage, now obsolete, see colonial flags/ensigns.
![[High Commissioner's flag]](../images/v/vx-gb_wph05.gif)
![[High Commissioner's flag]](../images/v/vx-ph_hc39.gif)
Flag of the Western Pacific High Commissioner 1905–1976, UK;
Flag of the Philippines High Commissioner 1935–1946, US
Please note that in UK usage the title is not obsolete, but that its role has changed, and no longer
(as far as is known) carries the entitlement to a special flag – see diplomatic flags.
HILTED (HILTED AND POMMELED or HILT)
The alternative heraldic terms used when the grip, pommel and cross/hand guard of a sword or dagger are of a different
tincture to its blade – but see note below and hafted (also
barbed,
garnished,
pommeled,
shafted and
tincture).
Flag of St. Anne's College, Oxford University, UK;
Flag of Villars-sous-Mont, Switzerland;
Flag of Haarlem, The Netherlands
Please note that heraldic writers will sometimes blazon the hilt and the pommel
(of a sword or dagger) separately when describing the charges on a coat of arms – hilted and
pommeled.
HINOMARU (or HI-NO-MARU)
Literally “sun-disk” and the civil ensign/national flag of Japan
since 1870 – the hi-no-maru or nisshoki (see also
daimyo flags
disc,
and mon).
National Flag of Japan
Please note that, whilst acting in that role for many years, the Hinomaru/nisshoki was only formally
adopted as the National Flag in 1999.
HIS MAJESTY’S JACK
In English RN usage now obsolete, an official term for the 1606 pattern union flag when
flown as a naval jack, and in use from c1640–c1690 – the king’s jack or the jack
– but see
British flag (also
interlaced,
‘naval jack’ under jack,
James Union and
union jack 2)).
Union Flag 1606–1801, England/UK
HISSFLAGGE (or HISSFAHNE)
See hoisted flag.
Hissflagge and Banner of Bernburg, Germany
HISTORIC FLAG
1) Historical flag of special significance.
2) In Canadian sailing club usage the official title for those defaced ensigns
granted to local yacht clubs by the British Admiralty (for use as an ensign)
before 1964, but now flown as a club flag (see also
blue ensign 1) with its following note and
historical flag).
National Flag of the US 1777–1795;
Defaced Ensign/Historic Flag of the Royal Hamilton Yacht Club, Canada
HISTORICAL FLAG
Flag that has been in use in the past, but has now been superseded by another –
but see
historic flag)
(also reconstruction).
Blue Ensign, UK, 1707–1801;
Defaced Blue Ensign of Newfoundland 1870–1904
Introduction | Table of Contents
| Index of Terms | Previous Page | Next Page