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Dictionary of Vexillology: P (Per Bend – Phrygian Cap)

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PER BEND
PER BEND SINISTER
PER CHEVRON
PER CHEVRON EMBOWED (ARCHED or ENARCHED)
PER COMPLEMENT
PER FESS
PER PALE
PER PALL
PER PILE
PER SALTIRE
PERCHED
PERSONAL FLAG
PETRA SANCTA METHOD
PHOENIX
PHOINIKIS
PHRYGIAN CAP

PER BEND

1) In heraldry the term used when a shield, a banner of arms or any quartering thereof is divided diagonally from top left to bottom right across its field (see also banner of arms, bend, in bend, party and quartering 1)).
2) In vexillology the term is sometimes used in place of in bend or bendwise when an object, charge or charges are placed as above (see also armigerous, descending diagonal 2), bicolour 1) and crown of rue).

House Flag of BosKalis, The Netherlands; Flag of Islisberg, Switzerland; Flag of Balge, Germany

PER BEND SINISTER

1) In heraldry the term used when a shield, a banner of arms or any quartering thereof is divided diagonally from bottom left to top right across its field (see also banner of arms, bend sinister, in bend sinister, party and quartering 1)).

2) In vexillology the term is sometimes used in place of in bend sinister or bendwise sinister when an object, charge or charges are placed as above – but see ascending diagonal 2) (also bicolour 1)).

Flag of Carrapateira, Brazil; Flag of Villarimboud, Switzerland; Flag of São Bento do Tocantins, Brazil

PER CHEVRON

The heraldic term used when the divisions on a shield or banner of arms, or a series of charges thereon, appear to form a triangle, sometimes embowed and generally (although not invariably) with the apex upward – but see pile 1) and pile 2) plus the following note (also banner of arms, chaussé, chevron 2), embowed, party and reversed 2)).

Flag of Ekenis, Germany; Flag of Wohlen bei Bern, Switzerland; Flag of Neu Wulmstorf, Germany

Please note that the difference between a shield or a banner of arms that is divided “per chevron” and one showing a “pile reversed” is not always clear, and it is suggested that the note following per pile and a glossary or dictionary of heraldry be consulted for further details.

PER CHEVRON EMBOWED (ARCHED or ENARCHED)

In heraldry see per chevron,

Flag of Seftigen, Switzerland; Flag of Tellin, Belgium; Flag of Mühledorf, Switzerland

PER COMPLEMENT

The heraldic term for a full moon – see moon 2) with following note a).

Flag of Shan, Myanmar

PER FESS

1) In heraldry the term used when a shield, a banner of arms or any quartering thereof is divided horizontally (see also banner of arms, fess, in fess, party and quartering 1)).

2) In vexillology the term is sometimes also used in place of in fess or fesswise when an object, charge or charges, appear in a horizontal position.

Flag of Ticino, Switzerland; Flag of Bösel, Germany; Flag of Osogna, Switzerland

PER PALE

1) In heraldry the term used when a shield, a banner of arms or any quartering thereof is divided vertically (see also banner of arms, in pale, pale, party and quartering 1)).

2) In vexillology the term is sometimes also used in place of in pale or palewise when an object, charge or charges, appear in a vertical position (see also palewise 2)).

Flag of Bosau, Germany; Flag of Bastogne, Belgium; Flag of Benamaurel, Spain

PER PALL

In heraldry the term used when the division lines on a shield, banner of arms or flag are arranged in the form a pall – see in pall and pall 2).

Flag of Fenin-Vilars-Saules, Switzerland; Flag of Sülzetal, Germany; Flag of Olexandria, Ukraine

PER PILE

See pile 2) and the following note (also chaussé).

Flag of Verdabbio, Switzerland; Arms of Kuželov, Czechia; Flag of Gandria, Switzerland

Please note that, unless concerning a straightforward charge, this term should always be used with a further description, for example, “tierced (or party) per pile reversed” (as illustrated above) or “tierced/party per pile reversed embowed” – see embowed, party, per chevron with its following note, reversed 2) and tiercé.

PER SALTIRE

1) In heraldry the term used when the division lines on a shield, banner of arms or flag run in a diagonal fashion from the upper corners – saltirewise (see also banner of arms, in saltire, party, and saltire).

2) In vexillology the term is sometimes also used in place of in saltire or saltirewise when two separate objects or charges cross each other diagonally – but see note below (also orthogonal and quartered diagonally).

Flag of Guijelo, Spain; Flag of Luběnice, Czechia; Flag of Hemmental, Switzerland

Please note with that the standard vexillological term for a flag divided per saltire is “quartered diagonally” as referenced in 2) above.

PERCHED

In heraldry and vexillology the term that should be used when a bird is stood upon a branch, tree or other object (see also birds in heraldry).

Flag of Wesseling, Germany; Flag of Porto de Mós, Portugal; Flag of Metlika, Slovenia

PERSONAL FLAG

1) In UK usage, a fringed plain royal blue flag bearing in its centre a crowned and garlanded ‘E’, which was used by HM Queen Elizabeth II when paying official visits abroad to those countries of which she was not head of state but see note below (also garland, monogram, royal cypher 1), racing flag 2) and royal standard).

2) See banner of arms.

3) A flag intended by the designer for his personal use or that of his family (see also house flag 3)).

4) In US naval usage, a term for denoting an officer's rank – see flag of command (also distinguishing flag 3), individual flag and rank flag 1)).

Personal Flag of HM Queen Elizabeth II 1926–2022, UK; Banner of Arms for Dražíč, Czechia; Personal Flag of Terence Martin, US

Notes
a) With regard to 1) the monogram will be (or has been) replaced with that of HM King Charles III, and:
b) The various flags to be used by HM The King when visiting a Commonwealth country of which he is head of state are also officially described as personal flags, but must also be considered as the royal standards of the countries concerned (see also royal standard and standard 1)).

Personal Flag/Royal Standard of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II for use in Canada

PETRA SANCTA METHOD

See hatching 1).

Gules, Azure, Vert. Purpure, Sable, Or and Argent

PHOENIX

A mythical bird which is generally seen rising from the flames of its own destruction, and is usually intended to symbolise re-birth through strife – see heraldic beasts.

Flag of the National Fire Agency Taiwan; Flag of Udbina, Croatia; Presidential Flag Greece 1973–1974

PHOINIKIS

See semeion.

PHRYGIAN CAP

See cap of liberty.

Flag of San Juan Province, Argentina

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