Dictionary of Vexillology: H (Head – Historical Flag)

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 also ring 4)).

Headquarters/Camp Flag, Royal Marine Commandos, UK; Rank/Headquarters Flag, Vice Admiral USN

Presidential Colour of Kenya; Queen’s Colour of Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry; King’s Colour RAF 1947–1952, UK

Royal Standard of The Netherlands; Presidential Flag 1994–2005 of Sri Lanka; Imperial Standard of Germany 1871–1918

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.

Arms and Flag of Kamienna Góra, Poland

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)

Badge of the Royal House of Tudor 1486–1603, England (aroyalheraldry.weebly.com)

Heraldic Banner and Arms of Drahelčice, Czechia

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, courant, erect, forcené, guardant, haurient, naiant, passant, rampant, regardant, salient, segreant, sejant, statant, urinant.

Arms and Flag of Sanguinheira, Portugal

Arms and Flag of Domaniewice, Poland

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)).

Arms and Flag of Lanškroun, Czechia; Arms and Flag of Galanta, Slovakia

Banner of Arms, Hampshire, UK; Armorial Bearings, Staffordshire, UK; Banner of Arms, Lancashire, UK

Flag of Ippesheim, Germany

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.

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.

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.

Union Flag 1606–1801, England/UK

Hissflagge and Banner of Bernburg, Germany

National Flag of the US 1777–1795; Defaced Ensign/Historic Flag of the Royal Hamilton Yacht Club, Canada

Blue Ensign, UK, 1707–1801; Defaced Blue Ensign of Newfoundland 1870–1904