Dictionary of Vexillology: Z (Ziggurat – Zupa Gaiferia)

Last modified: 2025-06-27 by martin karner
Keywords: vexillological terms |
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On this page:

• ZIGGURAT
• ZIGZAG
• ZIGZAG BORDER
• ZULFIKAR (or ZULFIQAR)
• ZUPA GAIFERIA

ZIGGURAT

The term sometimes used for a stepped pyramid – but see ‘stepped’ and the following note.

Flag and Arms of Argeriz, Portugal

Please note that this term should only apply to pyramids of a South American origin, and that the terms "stepped" or "stepped pyramid" should be used for other structures of this general type as referenced above.

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ZIGZAG

See ‘serrated 3)’.

Civil Ensign of Taiwan 1929–1966

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ZIGZAG BORDER

See ‘flammulets 2)’ and ‘wolf's teeth 1).’

Royal Standard of Yugoslavia c1925–1937

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ZULFIKAR (or ZULFIQAR)

A term for the split-bladed or double-pointed "Sword of Ali" (originally a symbol of – the Janissaries – an elite military formation of the Ottoman Empire) that has appeared on several Arab flags – a zulfiqar (see also ‘shahada’ and ‘takbir’).

Flag of the Great Admiral of The Porte, Ottoman Empire 19th c.; Standard of the Bey of Tunis c1860–1957; Standard of the Bey of Constantine c1836

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ZUPA GAIFERIA

A medieval term, now obsolete, for the symbols (the flag and arms etc) of a society or of a state.

Please note that the information given above must be considered to a certain degree speculative, and it is suggested that it might be a Latinised version of an original term of uncertain origin.

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