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Dictionary of Vexillology: P (Point – POW-MIA Flag)

Last modified: 2026-06-06 by martin karner
Keywords: vexillological terms |
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POINT(S)
1) In British maritime (particularly RN) usage, now largely obsolete, a term sometimes applied to the fly corners of a flag or ensign (see also fly 1)).
2) The term may also be employed (either in the singular or plural as appropriate) to describe the fly of a triangular/swallow-tailed pennant, a swallow-tailed flag or one with three even tails (see also swallowtail and tongue and triple-tongued 1).

Points example Points example
White Ensign c1750, UK; Flag of Bottovo, Slovakia

POINT OF HONOUR
See honour point.
POINTED (or POINTS)
1) In vexillology the terms used to indicate the number of points on a star or star-like charge, for example a five-pointed star or a star of five points – but see rays 1) (also star 1)).
2) In heraldry see point-in-point.
3) A term sometimes (incorrectly) used to describe the point of an arrow – see barbed.

Pointed example Pointed example
National Flag of Vietnam; National Arms of Spain

POINT-IN-POINT (or POINTED)
The heraldic terms for when the division of a shield forms a chevron – usually embowed – at its base – pointed or enty (see also chevron 1), impale, quartering 1), shield 1)).

Pointed example
Flag and Arms of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany (fotw & CS)

POLE
See flag pole.
POLE MAST (or POLEMAST)
A flag pole that is straight and clear of any projections such as cross bars, yards or gaffs.

Please note that this term was originally introduced to describe a mast or masts on those steam vessels not equipped with an auxiliary sailing rig.

Pole mast
HMS Devastation 1871–1908 (Wikipedia)

POLICE FLAG (ENSIGN or PENNANT)
A flag or ensign, different from the national/state flag or government ensign (or a variant thereof) or a pennant, which specifically identifies the installations or vessels of a country’s police service (see also national flag, government ensign and service ensign under ensign and state flag).

Police flag Police flag Police flag
Ensign of the Thames Division Metropolitan Police, UK; Police Flag, Malta; Police Flag, Bahamas

POLITICAL FLAG
The flag, either official (formally adopted) or unofficial (spontaneously displayed by supporters), of a political party or movement – but see protest flag and the notes below (also sash 2), realm banner black-red-gold and tribal flag).

[political flags] [political flags] [political flags]
Flag of African National Congress, RSA; Flag of Međimurje Party, Croatia; Flag of Libertarian National Socialist Green Party, USA

Notes
a) In both historical and/or contemporary terms,a political flag and a trade union flag can often be very closely linked.
b) Protests often have a political motivation, and therefore, the difference between this and a protest flag is often blurred.

POLITICAL SASH
See sash 2).

Political sash
Political Sash of the Women’s Suffragette Movement 1917, US

POMME
The heraldic term for a green disc – a roundel vert (see also bezant, fountain 1), golpe, hurt, ogress, plates, roundel 3)), torteau).

pomme pomme
Example; Flag of Uelsen, Germany

Please note that in strict English heraldic usage this term should only be employed when the charge described is green (vert) – see tinctures.

POMMED
A term sometimes used in place of the usual heraldic term pommeled to indicate the pommel of a sword or dagger – but see hilted and following note (also hafted and shafted).

pommed pommed pommed
Flag of St. Ursen, Switzerland; Arms of Šibenik-Knin, Croatia; Flag of Haarlem, The Netherlands

POMMELED
The heraldic term for the pommel of a sword or dagger – but see hilted and its following note.

Kalnik, Croatia Ill-Birgu, Malta Pommel
Flag of Kalnik, Croatia; Flag of Il-Birgu, Malta; Flag of Kaptol, Croatia

Please note that a pommel is the usually (but not invariably) heavy, disk-like projection above the hilt which helps balance the blade, fixes that hilt’s binding and act as a weapon in its own right.

PORT
A heraldic term, and derived from the French porte (or door), for the entrance to a castle, tower or other building (see also ajouré and litten).

[port example] [port example] [port example]
Flag of Aljezur, Portugal; Flag of Zagreb, Croatia; Flag of Castelo de Paiva, Portugal

PORT EPEE
See dress knot.

[dress knot]
Officer’s Port Epee/Dress Knot, USN and USCG (marlowwhite.com)

PORTCULLIS
A sliding, openwork lattice intended to defend the gateway of a fortified structure – in heraldry see latticed.

[portcullis] [portcullis] [portcullis]
Flag of Romont, Switzerland; Flag of Maribor, Slovenia; Flag of Königswinter, Germany

PORTCULLISED
In heraldry see latticed and portcullis.

[portcullis]
Flag of Rogatec, Slovenia

PORTOLANO (or PORTOLAN CHART)
The terms for a navigational chart of the 14th to the 16th centuries, particularly showing coastlines and ports and usually bearing illustrations of their arms and flags.


Portolano, Spanish c1500 (Wikipedia)

PORTUGUESE TEMPLAR CROSS
See rounded cross.

[Portuguese Templar cross] [Portuguese Templar cross]
Arms and Flag of Outeiro Major, Portugal

POSITION OF HONOUR (OR HONOR)
The position in which the most senior flag, emblem or coat of arms – usually a national flag, emblem or coat of arms – is to be placed – sometimes called the place of honour. The particulars vary slightly in detail, legal status and extent from country to country; however, the general principles remain the same and are listed in Appendix II (see also rules of etiquette and precedence).

Please note – not to be confused with the honour point.

POSITIONAL FLAG (or COLORS)
1) In US army usage, that flag which corresponds to a particular position held, rather than to the rank of the officer who currently holds it – but see appointment flag (also rank flag 1)).
2) See distinguishing flag 1).

[positional flag example] [positional flag example] [positional flag example]
Army Surgeon General, US; Under Secretary of the Army, US; Under Secretaries of State, US

POST FLAG

1) In US military usage, that size of national flag flown regularly over army and marine corps posts – 8.95 feet (2.72 m) wide by 17 feet (5.18 m) long for the army and 10 feet (3 m) wide by 19 feet (5.8 m) long for the marine corps (see also garrison flag, storm flag and war flag).
2) See postal flag.

[current US flag] postal flag of France
National Flag of the USA; Post/Postal Flag, France

POSTAL FLAG (ENSIGN or PENNANT)
The distinguishing flag, ensign or pennant of a country’s postal services – a mail flag/pennant or post flag/pennant (see also air mail flag and service ensign under ensign).

postal flag postal flag [postal flag - Denmark]
Postal Flag, UK; Postal Flag/Ensign 1920–1939, Danzig; Postal Flag/Ensign, Denmark

POST HORN
In heraldry see bugle horn.

[hunting horn example] [hunting horn example]
Arms and Flag of Tychy, Poland

POST-MEDIEVAL SHIELD
See renaissance shield.

post-Medieval shield
Flag of Ilok, Croatia

POST OFFICE FLAG
See postal flag.

postal office flag - Belgium
Post Office/Postal Flag, Belgium

POST PENNANT
See postal flag.

postal pennant - Italy
Post/Postal Pennant, Italy

POSTURES
A 16th/17th century term for the formal flag waving expected of a colour bearer for reasons of either bravado or dignity (see also colour 2), company colours, ensign 4), flag tossing, pavisade, stand 1), streamer 2)).
POTENT
1) The heraldic term for a fur that is shown as a series of crutch-shaped charges and usually (but not exclusively) seen in blue on a white or silver field (see also ermine, vair, vair bellies).
2) The term may also be used when the edge of an ordinary is shown with crutch-shaped extensions – but see note below (also cross potent).

example example potent
Flag of Unhais-o-Velho, Portugal; Example; Flag of Montalegre, Portugal

Please note with regard to 2) that this term is never used alone, but always with the ordinary being blazoned, for example a fess-potent as illustrated above’.

POTENT CROSS
In heraldry see cross potent.

Wielka Nieszawka arms, poland Wielka Nieszawka flag, poland
Arms and Flag of Wielka Nieszawka, Poland

POWDERED
1) In vexillology a term sometimes used to describe a number of small (usually but not invariably) identical charges scattered across the field of a flag.
2) In heraldry see semé.

powdered powdered powdered
Flag of Chastre, Belgium; Banner of France c1150–c1350; Flag of Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, France

POW-MIA (PRISONER OF WAR-MISSING IN ACTION) FLAG
See memorial flag 2).

POW-MIA flag
POW-MIA Flag, US and Canada

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