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Dictionary of Vexillology: P (Points - POW-MIA Flag)

Last modified: 2024-09-28 by rob raeside
Keywords: vexillological terms |
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• Introduction
• Table of Contents
• Index of Terms
• Previous Page
• Next Page

On this page:

• POINT(S)
• POINT OF HONOUR
• POINTED (or POINTS)
• POINT-IN-POINT
• POLE
• POLE MAST (or POLEMAST)
• POLICE FLAG (ENSIGN or PENNANT)
• POLITICAL FLAG
• POLITICAL SASH
• POMME(S)
• POMMED
• POMMELED
• PORT
• PORTCULLIS
• PORTCULLISED
• PORT EPEE
• PORTOLANO (or PORTOLAN CHART)
• PORTUGUESE TEMPLAR CROSS
• POSITION OF HONOUR (OR HONOR)
• POSITIONAL FLAG (or COLORS)
• POSTAL FLAG (ENSIGN or PENNANT)
• POST FLAG
• POST HORN
• POST-MEDIEVAL SHIELD
• POST OFFICE FLAG
• POSTAL (or POST) PENNANT
• POSTURES
• POTENT
• POTENT CROSS
• POWDERED
• POW-MIA (PRISONER OF WAR-MISSING IN ACTION) FLAG

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 ‘pennant’, ‘swallow-tail(ed)’, ‘swallowtail and tongue’ and ‘triple-tongued 1)’

White Ensign c1750, UK (fotw); Flag of Bottovo, Slovakia (fotw)

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POINT OF HONOUR

See ‘honour point’.

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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’.

National Flag of Vietnam (fotw); National Arms of Spain (fotw)

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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 ‘base’, ‘chevron 1)’, ‘embowed’, ‘impale’, ‘quartering 1)’ and ‘shield 1)’)

Flag and Arms of North Rhine–Westphalia, Germany (fotw & CS)

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POLE

See ‘flag pole’.

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POLE MAST (or POLEMAST)

A flagpole that is straight and clear of any projections such as cross bars, yards, or gaffs (see also ‘cross bar’, ‘flag pole’, ‘gaff’ and ‘yard’).

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.

HMS Devastation 1871 – 1908 (Wikipedia)  

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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’).

Ensign of the Thames Division Metropolitan Police, UK (fotw); Police Flag, Malta (fotw); Police Flag, Bahamas (fotw)

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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’).

 

  
Flag of African National Congress, RSA (fotw); Flag of Međimurje Party, Croatia (fotw); Flag of Libertarian National Socialist Green Party, USA (fotw).

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

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POLITICAL SASH

See ‘sash 2)’.

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

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POMME(S)

The heraldic term for a green disc (or discs) – a roundel (or roundels) vert (see also ‘bezant’, ‘hurt’, ‘plates’ and ‘roundel 3)’)

Example; Flag of Uelsen, Germany (fotw)

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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’).

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

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POMMELED

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

Flag of Kalnik, Croatia (fotw); Flag of Il-Birgu, Malta (fotw); Flag of Kaptol, Croatia (fotw)

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.

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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’).

Flag of Aljezur, Portugal (fotw); Flag of Zagreb, Croatia (fotw); Flag of Castelo de Paiva, Portugal (fotw)

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PORTCULLIS

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

Flag of Romont, Switzerland (fotw); Flag of Maribor, Slovenia (fotw); Flag of Königswinter, Germany (fotw)

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PORTCULLISED

In heraldry see ‘latticed’ and ‘portcullis’.

Flag of Rogatec, Slovenia (fotw)

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PORT EPEE

See ‘dress knot’.

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

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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)

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PORTUGUESE TEMPLAR CROSS

See ‘rounded cross’.

Arms and Flag of Outeiro Major, Portugal (fotw)

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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 – see ‘honour point’.

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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)’.

Army Surgeon General, US (fotw); Under Secretary of the Army, US (fotw); Under Secretaries of State, US (fotw)

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POST FLAG

1) In US military usage, that size of national flag flown regularly over army and marine corps posts – 8.95 feet (2.72m) wide by 17 feet (5.18m) 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’.

 
National Flag of the USA (fotw); Post/Postal Flag , France (fotw)

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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, UK (fotw); Postal Flag/Ensign 1920 – 1939, Danzig (fotw); Postal Flag/Ensign, Denmark (fotw)

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POST HORN

In heraldry see ‘bugle horn’.

Arms and Flag of Tychy, Poland (fotw)

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POST-MEDIEVAL SHIELD

See ‘Renaissance shield’.

Flag of Ilok, Croatia (fotw)

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POST OFFICE FLAG

See ‘postal flag’.

Post Office/Postal Flag, Belgium (fotw)

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POST PENNANT

See ‘postal flag’.

Post/Postal Pennant, Italy (fotw)

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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)’, ‘colour bearer’, ‘company colours’, ‘ensign 4)’, ‘flag tossing’, ‘pavisade’, ‘stand 1)’ and ‘streamer 2)’).

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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’, ‘furs’ and ‘vair’).
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’ and ‘ordinary’).

Flag of Unhais-o-Velho, Portugal (fotw); Example; Flag of Montalegre, Portugal (fotw)

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’.

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POTENT CROSS

In heraldry see ‘cross potent’.

Arms and Flag of Wielka Nieszawka, Poland (fotw)

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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’.

Flag of Chastre, Belgium (fotw); Banner of France c1150 – c1350 (fotw); Flag of Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, France (fotw)

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POW-MIA (PRISONER OF WAR-MISSING IN ACTION) FLAG

See ‘memorial flag 2)’.

POW-MIA Flag, US and Canada (fotw)

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