Flag Glossary


Band


Band:
A narrow strip of canvas along the edge of the Flag that goes next to the staff. Sometimes called the "heading".

Canton


Canton:
The blue field in the upper left corner of the Flag.

Color


Color:
In the military service, a National Flag carried by unmounted units is called a "color". The expression "the Colors" is used generally in referring to the Flag.

Dip


Dip:
To dip the Flag is to lower it at salute. Refers to a flag of an organization, state, or city. The flag of the United States is never dipped.

Ensign


Ensign:
In the Navy the National Flag is usually spoken of as the Ensign.

Finial


Finial:
The object on the top of a Flag pole, generally an arrow, ball, or eagle.

Fly


Fly:
The length of the flag.

Fringe Or Gold


Fringe Or Gold:
Gold braiding placed along the three edges of the Flag away from the pole.

Grommet


Grommet:
The eyelet through which the halyard is fastened to the Flag.

Half-Staff


Half-Staff:
To lower the Flag some distance (not necessarily half-way down) from the top of the staff, as a sign of mourning.

Halyard


Halyard:
The rope used to raise the flag; also called a hoist rope.

Hoist


Hoist:
The width of the flag. To hoist the flag is to raise it to the top of the staff.

Old Glory


Old Glory:
Refers to the flag of the United States. This famous name may have been coined in 1831. Some friends presented Captain William Driver with a twenty-four star flag. As the banner opened to the ocean breeze he exclaimed "Old Glory!"

Peak


Peak:
The highest point to which a flag can be raised.

Point Of Honor


Point Of Honor:
On the United States flag this is the blue field and stars (Union).

Staff


Staff:
Flag pole. On a ship it may be referred to as a mast.

Union


Union:
The blue background with white stars, symbolizing the union of the States.