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Dictionary of Vexillology: C (Crancelin - Cypher)

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CRANCELIN

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

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

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 (fotw)

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 Triemen, The Netherlands (fotw)

CRENELLED

An alternative heraldic term to embattled - see ‘embattled’.

Arms and Flag of Wegenstetten, Switzerland (Wikipedia & fotw)

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. The crescent is often (but by no means invariably) considered to be symbolic of Islam - 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 below (also ‘lunel’).

Arms (CS); The National Flag of Turkey (fotw); Flag of Er Rif 1920 – 1926 (fotw); National Flag of The Maldives (fotw)

Please note with regard to 2) that a crescent whose horns point downward may be termed inverted or reversed – see ‘reversed 2)’.

Flag of Odčn, Spain (fotw)

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 ‘ship’s crest’.

3) See ‘military crest’.

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

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

Please note that the term crest should only be used as specifically defined defined in 1), 2) and 3) 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’).

CREW’S MEAL PENNANT

See ‘meal pennant’.

Crew’s Meal Pennant, US (fotw)

CROATIAN WATTLE

See ‘wattle(d) 1)’

Flag of Ustasha Youth 1941 - 1945, Croatia (fotw)

CROWN

A ceremonial headpiece in the shape of a circlet often made of precious metal and usually adorned with pearls and gemstones – see note below (also ‘antique crown’, ‘coronet 1)’, ‘coronet 2)’ and ‘ensigned’, ‘orb’ and ‘sceptre’).

Royal Crowns, Denmark, Spain and Scotland (fotw); Tudor Crown 1901 – 1953, St Edward’s Crown (Current Pattern) UK (fotw)

Notes
a) On flags 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) In heraldry the term crown has a far wider use, and whilst a few of the many types encountered are described in this dictionary, it is strongly 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 (fotw); Crown/Queen’s Colour of the Regiment of Chasseurs Isabel II 1841-1844, Spain (fotw)

CROWNED

In heraldry see ‘ensigned’.

Lesser Arms and Grand-Ducal Standard of Luxembourg (fotw); State Arms and Royal Standard of Norway (fotw)

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 (fotw); National Arms and Flag of Croatia (fotw)

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)’)

The Flag and Arms of Saxony, Germany (fotw); Flag and Arms of Land Hadeln, Germany (fotw & Wikipedia)

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 Fonte do Bastardo, Portugal (fotw); Arms of Ferrel, Portugal (fotw); Flag and Arms of Ilha, Portugal (fotw); Flag of Feteira, Portugal (fotw)

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’s crook or pastoral staff (see also ‘mitre’ and ‘stringed’).

Flag of Wangen, Switzerland (fotw); Arms of Santo Tirso, Portugal (fotw); Flag and Arms of Dugo Selo, Croatia (fotw)

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’.

Arms and Flag of Săo Salvador do Campo, Portugal (fotw); Arms and Flag of Vila Nova do Campo, Portugal (fotw); Arms of Monte Córdova, Portugal (fotw)

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 (fotw); Flag of Námestovo, Slovakia (fotw)

CRUTCH CROSS

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

A flag of the Christian Falangist Party, Germany (fotw)

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 Flags/Jack, Israel; Customs Flag, Sudan (fotw); Revenues and Customs Ensign, UK (fotw); Customs Flag, Cambodia (fotw)

CUT-AND-PASTE FLAG

See ‘friendship flag’.

Canada-US Friendship/Cut-and-Paste Flag (fotw)

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)

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