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Dictionary of Vexillology: S (Seal - Selvedge)

Last modified: 2021-06-26 by rob raeside
Keywords: vexillological terms |
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On this page:

• SEAL
• SEAL FLAG
• SEAL OF SOLOMON
• SEAL OF THE STATE OF
• SEAL ON A BEDSHEET
• SEA-LION (or SEA LION)
• SECOND CANTON (or QUARTER)
• SECOND COLOUR  (or COLOR)
• SECTOR(S)
• SECTOR FLAGS/PENNANTS
• SECTORED
• SEEDED
• SEGMENTED (or SEGMENTAL)
• SEGREANT
• SEJANT
• SELVEDGE

SEAL

An emblem or design representing a government, a branch within that government or a person that, when embossed upon or affixed to a document, proves its authenticity or which validates a legal instrument. The reproduction of an official seal often appears on US sub-national flags – see ‘seal of the state of’ (also ‘anti-heraldry’, ‘military crest’, ‘quadrant 1)’, ‘seal flag’, ‘seal on a bedsheet’, ‘sub-national flag’ and ‘state flag 2)’).

   
State Seals of Minnesota, and Utah with the municipal seal of Bakersfield, US (fotw, official and Wikipedia); Seal of Subotica, Serbia (fotw)

Please note, that whilst a seal originally showed the user’s badge or parts of their armorial bearings (and was used to create an impression on wax or lead), when seen on flags today it is generally not (particularly in US usage) a coat of arms as defined herein (see also ‘anti-heraldry’).

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SEAL FLAG

A term for the flag whose main charge consists of a seal as defined herein, set largely (but not exclusively) on a plain field and most often seen in the flags of US states and government agencies (see also ‘anti-heraldry’, ‘armorial flag’, ‘charge 2)’, ‘plain 2)’ and ‘seal’).

Flag of Utah, US (fotw); Flag of Missouri, US (fotw); Flag of the Dept of Energy, US (fotw); Flag of Subotica, Serbia (fotw)

Notes:
a) This term has been introduced by the Editors as being more appropriate than those (sometimes) currently in use – see ‘logo on a bedsheet’ and ‘seal on a bedsheet’.
b) In US usage flags of his type are often derived from previously established military colours.

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SEAL OF THE STATE OF

In largely (but not exclusively) US usage, the seal relating to a specific state of the union  – see ‘seal’ (also ‘seal flag’).

Seals of the States of Florida, Utah, Maryland, US (fotw and Wikipedia)

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SEAL OF SOLOMON

See ‘magen david’ and its following note (also ‘pentagram’).

National flag and Emblem of Morocco (fotw)

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SEAL ON A BEDSHEET

1) A term that is intended to be derogatory, to apply particularly to sub-national flags in the US and to describe any such flag that bears a seal (as opposed to another form of charge) upon a plain field – but see ‘seal flag’ (also ‘logo on a bedsheet’ plus its following note and ‘seal’).
2) As above, but the term may (albeit inaccurately) include flags bearing a coat of arms rather than a seal – see ‘armorial flag’.

Flag of New Hampshire, US (fotw); Flag of Idaho, US (fotw); Flag of Minnesota, US (fotw); Flag of New York, US (fotw) 

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SEA-LION (or SEA LION)

In heraldry the term used to describe a charge in the form of a mythological creature that is part lion and part fish – see ‘heraldic beasts’.

         
Arms of Portsmouth, UK (fotw); Flag of Libreville, Gabon (fotw); Arms of Devon, UK (fotw)

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SECOND CANTON (or QUARTER)

Terms covering that quarter of a flag which occupies the upper fly - the second quarter, upper fly or upper fly canton – see ‘canton 3)’ (also ‘hoist 1)’).

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SECOND COLOUR  (or COLOR)

An old term, now rarely used outside the British and Canadian foot guards, for the regimental colour (see also ‘colour 2’ and ‘colours 2)’).

Second/Regimental Colour of the Governor General’s Foot Guards, Canada (Official Website)

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SECTOR(S)

1) In vexillology a term that is used to describe the section (or sections) of a charge or field which meet at, or emanate from, a central point.
2) See ‘gyronny’.

Roundel of Czechia; a Flag of Peniche, Portugal (fotw); Roundel of Jordan (fotw)

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SECTOR FLAGS/PENNANTS

See ‘registration flags’.

Sector/Registration flag, One Department of Rochefort, France (fotw)

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SECTORED

1) See ‘faceted’.
2) In vexillology a term that may be used in place of the heraldic “gyronny” when a charge or field is divided into sections in (usually) alternating or different shades/colours meeting at a central point – but see ‘gyronny’.

   
Flag of Gornji Grad, Slovenia (fotw); Flag of CONAIL, Ecuador (Antonio Martins); Symbol of the Ratana faith, New Zealand (fotw)

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SEEDED

The heraldic term used when describing the centre of a rose, other flower or flower-like charge, particularly when this is of a different tincture - but see ‘barbed’ (also ‘tincture’).

Flag of Lancashire, UK (fotw); Flag of Lippe, Germany (fotw); Flag of Hampshire, UK (fotw); Flag of Schwändi, Switzerland (fotw)

Please note that botany draws a distinction between the stamen and seedpods of a rose or other flower, whereas English heraldry does not.

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SEGMENTED (or SEGMENTAL)

See ‘faceted’ and ‘gyronny’ (also ‘sector(s) 1)’).

Flag of Mollis, Switzerland (fotw); Flag of Balneário Camboriú, Brazil (fotw)

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SEGREANT

The heraldic term used in place of rampant when applied to a griffon whose wings are generally expanded – see ‘rampant’.

Military Crest of Michigan, US (fotw); Flag of Boksburg, South Africa 1981–1994 (fotw)

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SEJANT

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

Arms and Flag of Stjørdal, Norway (fotw)

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SELVEDGE (or SELVAGE)

The outer edges of a length of cloth so woven that the threads do not unravel, and used to minimize the area of a flag which might otherwise be lost through hemming – most particularly in those flags formerly made from breadths of fabric (see also ‘breadth 2)’.

(Željko Heimer)

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