Swallowtail (flag)
Encyclopedia
In flag terminology
, a swallowtail is either
The name comes from the forked tail that is a common feature of the swallow
species of birds.
, this swallowtail flag contains a vertical section in the centre of the fly.
' state
flag of Ohio
, as well as some burgee
s, private signal
s and pennants of the International Code of Signals
(ICS) use a triangular swallowtail shape.
), guidons do not necessarily have a swallow tail.
The military use of the guidon originated from the flags used by cavalry
units in Europe. A variant of the guidon – the hussar
cut – was used by German cavalry regiments. Instead of a straight V-shaped cut, the swallowtail in a hussar cut flag was curved.
Flag terminology
Flag terminology is a jargon used in vexillology, the study of flags, to describe precisely the parts, patterns, and other attributes of flags and their display.-Description of standard flag parts and terms:...
, a swallowtail is either
- a V-shaped cut in a flag that causes the flag to end in two points at the fly; or
- any flag which has this V-shaped cut.
The name comes from the forked tail that is a common feature of the swallow
Swallow
The swallows and martins are a group of passerine birds in the family Hirundinidae which are characterised by their adaptation to aerial feeding...
species of birds.
Double-pointed
Common in ScandinaviaScandinavia
Scandinavia is a cultural, historical and ethno-linguistic region in northern Europe that includes the three kingdoms of Denmark, Norway and Sweden, characterized by their common ethno-cultural heritage and language. Modern Norway and Sweden proper are situated on the Scandinavian Peninsula,...
, this swallowtail flag contains a vertical section in the centre of the fly.
Swallowtail with tongue
Also common in the Nordic countries, the swallowtail flag contains a third tail (the "tongue") between the other two tails.Triangular swallowtail
This is the shape of the United StatesUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
' state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
flag of Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
, as well as some burgee
Burgee
A burgee is a distinguishing flag, regardless of its shape, of a recreational boating organization.-Etiquette:Yacht clubs and their members may fly their club's burgee while underway and at anchor, day or night, but not while racing. Sailing vessels may fly the burgee from the main masthead or from...
s, private signal
Private signal
Private signals are custom designed flags used to symbolize and identify the owner of a boat. Generally aswallowtail shape but also rectangular or sometimes triangular...
s and pennants of the International Code of Signals
International Code of Signals
The International Code of Signals is an international system of signals and codes for use by vessels to communicate important messages regarding safety of navigation and related matters. Signals can be sent by flaghoist, signal lamp , flag semaphore, radiotelegraphy, and radiotelephony...
(ICS) use a triangular swallowtail shape.
Guidon
A guidon is the general name given to a small swallowtail flag. Guidons are used to represent military units and are displayed on vehicles attached to a particular unit. In some countries (such as the United StatesUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
), guidons do not necessarily have a swallow tail.
The military use of the guidon originated from the flags used by cavalry
Cavalry
Cavalry or horsemen were soldiers or warriors who fought mounted on horseback. Cavalry were historically the third oldest and the most mobile of the combat arms...
units in Europe. A variant of the guidon – the hussar
Hussar
Hussar refers to a number of types of light cavalry which originated in Hungary in the 14th century, tracing its roots from Serbian medieval cavalry tradition, brought to Hungary in the course of the Serb migrations, which began in the late 14th century....
cut – was used by German cavalry regiments. Instead of a straight V-shaped cut, the swallowtail in a hussar cut flag was curved.