^{This page is part of © FOTW Flags Of The World website}

Dictionary of Vexillology: C (Cramp – Cypher)

On this page:

CRAMP (CRAMPON, CRAMPOON or CRAMP-IRON)

Heraldic terms used for bent pieces of metal employed in the strengthening of a building – crampon, crampoon or cramp-iron (see also wolf-trap).

Flag of Welschenrohr-Gänsbrunnen; Flag of Gerlafingen; Flag of Biberist, Switzerland

CRANCELIN

The alternative heraldic term for a crown of rue – see ‘crown of rue’.

Arms of Saxony, Germany; Royal Standard of the Kingdom of Saxony 1815–1918

CRAVAT

1) A decorative scarf, usually in national or livery colours and often richly decorated, generally tied with a bow to the staff below the finial, normally (but by no means exclusively) used with military flags and sometimes displayed with a cockade (see also ‘cockade 1)’, ‘cord(s) 1)’, ‘draping’, ‘finial’, ‘livery colours’, ‘national colours 2)’ and ‘staff 2)’).

2) Long black ribbons tied to the staff of a military colour below the finial to signify mourning by the regiment or unit concerned for the loss of members of that regiment, or when participating in a military or state funeral – but see ‘draping’.

Presidential Standard, France 1940–1943 (fotw & CS); National Flag of Mexico

Please note with regard to 1) that in French military usage, and possibly in others, the cravat is employed (including use with car flags) to differentiate between ranks and functions (see also ‘fanion 3)’, ‘jack of honour’, ‘lanyard 1)’ and ‘lanyard pennant’.

CRENELLATED

In vexillology, a term that is sometimes used to describe the battlements of a tower, castle or wall in place of its heraldic equivalents – see ‘embattled’.

Flag of Judeţul Cahul 1998–2003, Moldova

CRENELLED (or CRENELLÉ)

Alternative heraldic terms to embattled – see ‘embattled’.

Arms and Flag of Pyskowice, Poland

CRESCENT

1) In vexillology, a charge in the shape of a crescent moon formed by two interlinked circles of varying size, generally (but not invariably) shown with the open horns towards the fly – a quarter-moon (see also ‘disc’ and ‘waning or waxing moon’).

2) In heraldry a charge in the form of a crescent moon whose horns unless otherwise specified point upwards – but see ‘moon 2)’ with following notes, and the note b) below (also ‘lunel’).

Flag of the Emirate of Ha'il 1835–1920; Former Flag of Obdam, The Netherlands; Flag of Odèn, Spain

Notes
a) With regard to 1) the crescent is often (but not invariably) considered to be symbolic of Islam.
b) Regarding 2) a crescent whose horns point downward (as illustrated above) may be termed inverted or reversed – see ‘reversed 2)’.

CREST

1) The heraldic term for a symbol that is usually (but not invariably) attached to the helm, is almost always set above a torse and generally ensigned over the shield (see also Appendix IV, armorial bearings, coat of arms, ensigned, helm, shield and wreath 2)).

2) See "crested" (below)

3) See ship’s crest.

4) See military crest.

5) The term is sometimes used to describe a shield or set of armorial bearing – but see note below.

Arms of Josipdol, Croatia; Ship’s crest of HMS Sovereign (Wikipedia); State Military Crest of New Mexico, US

Please note that the term "crest" should only be used as specifically defined in 1), 2), 3) and 4) above, and should not be considered as a synonym for a coat of arms or set of armorial bearings (see also armorial bearings and coat of arms).

CRESTED (or CREST)

A heraldic term that is applicable to all birds with some sort of head decoration, it is, however, mainly applied to roosters – but see comb(ed) (also crest 1) above).

Flag of Cutterwil, Switzerland

CREW’S MEAL PENNANT

See ‘meal pennant’.

Crew’s Meal Pennant, US

CRINED

In heraldry the term used when referring to the hair on a person's head, or to the mane of a horse when of another tincture (see also heraldry and tinctures).

Arms of Portsmouth, England; Flag of Chermignon, Switzerland; Arms of Boston Borough Council, England

CROATIAN WATTLE

See ‘wattle(d) 1)’

Flag of Ustasha Youth 1941–1945, Croatia

CROWN

1) A ceremonial headpiece consisting of a circlet (almost invariably) made of precious metal and adorned with pearls/gemstones – see note a) below (also ‘coronet 1)’, ‘coronet 2)’, ‘orb’ and ‘sceptre’).
2) A variously detailed charge symbolizing the status or identity of a particular institution or organization (see also ‘astral crown’, ‘crown of arms’, ‘civic crown 2)’, ‘mural crown 1)’, ‘provincial crown’ and ‘naval crown’.
3) In heraldry see ‘antique crown 2)’, ‘civic crown 1)’, ‘crown triumphal’, ‘ensigned’, �mural crown 2)� and note b) below.

Royal Crowns, Denmark, England and Spain

Notes
a) With regard to 1), a crown with a curved bar or bars across the top and a cap within generally (but not invariably) signifies a reigning monarch, however, the actual design will usually be specific to a given country and considerable variations exist.
b) Regarding 3), in heraldry the term "crown" has a wider use than those referenced above, and it is suggested that a specialist glossary or dictionary of heraldry be consulted for full details.

CROWN COLOURS (or COLORS)

A translation of the Spanish term Banderas Coronelas and referring to a Queen’s, King’s or Imperial Colour – see ‘colour 2)’ and ‘colours 2)’.

Crown/King’s Colour of the Royal Infantry Guard 1794, Spain; Crown/Queen’s Colour of the Regiment of Chasseurs Isabel II 1841–1844, Spain

CROWNED

In heraldry see ‘ensigned’ (also ‘crown’).

Lesser Arms and Grand-Ducal Standard of Luxembourg

CROWN OF ARMS

A newly introduced term – and a translation of the German Wappenkrone – that may be used to describe the type of crown which is created from a series related arms, and possibly inspired by the pavisade – see ‘pavisade’ (also ‘coat of arms 2)’, ‘hamburgian coronet’, ‘leafy crown’, ‘mural crown 1)’ and ‘provincial crown 2)’.

Middle Arms and State Flag of Baden-Württemberg, Germany

CROWN OF RUE

The heraldic term for a coronet placed in bend – or diagonally – across rather than above a shield or quarter – a crancelin (see also ‘bend’, ‘coronet’, ‘in bend’, ‘quarter’ and ‘shield 1)’)

Flag of Saxony, Germany; Royal Standard of the Kingdom of Saxony 1815–1918; Flag of Land Hadeln, Germany

CROWN OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

In Christian, particularly Iberian tradition, the term for a crown bearing a dove set on its central point (see also ‘marian crown’ and its following note).

Flag of Ilha, Portugal; Flag of Altares, Portugal; Flag of Feteira, Portugal

CROWN TRIUMPHAL

The heraldic term for a closed garland or chaplet, usually composed of laurel leaves, and based on the ancient Roman triumphal ornament (see also ‘civic crown 2)’, ‘decking’, ‘garland’ and ‘wreath of immortelles’).

(Parker)

CROZIER

In some Christian usages the ceremonial staff of a prelate – a bishop or archbishop’s crook or pastoral staff (see also mitre, pilgrim's staff and stringed).

Flag of Schmitten, Switzerland; Flag of Tholey, Germany; Flag of Wangen, Switzerland

CRUCIFEROUS

The term, and a translation from the Portuguese, that is used in largely South European heraldry when a charge (such as an orb or crown) is ensigned with a cross – see ‘ensigned’.

Flag of Vila Nova do Campo, Portugal; Historical flag of Szamosújvár, Kingdom of Hungary; Flag of São Salvador do Campo, Portugal

CRUTCH

A term for the central point at which the two triangles formed by a swallow-tailed cut in the fly meet (see also ‘orthogonal’, ‘palm’ and ‘swallow-tail(ed)’).

Naval Ensign of Germany; State Ensign of Lower Saxony, Germany

CRUTCH CROSS

A translation of the German term Kruckenkreuz – in heraldry see ‘cross potent’).

A flag of the Christian Falangist Party, Germany

CUSTOMS FLAG (ENSIGN, JACK or PENNANT)

A flag or ensign, different from the national/state flag or government ensign or a pennant, which specifically identifies the installations or vessels of a country’s customs service (see also ‘national flag’, ‘government ensign’ and ‘service ensign’ under ‘ensign’, and ‘state flag’).

Customs Flag/Jack, Israel; Customs Flag, Sudan; Customs Flag, Cambodia

CYBERVEXILLOLOGY (or CYBERVEX)

Vexillological research and/or the publication of vexillological information using electronic means, particularly the Internet or other electronic delivery systems.

CYPHER

See ‘royal cypher 1)’ and ‘monogram’.

Cypher of the French Republic (CS)

Introduction | Table of Contents | Index of Terms | Previous Page | Next Page