Swallowtail (flag)
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In flag terminology, 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 species of birds.
Nautical signal flag for "A" |
[edit] Variants
[edit] Double-pointed
Common in Scandinavia, this swallowtail flag contains a vertical section in the centre of the fly.
[edit] Swallowtail with tongue
Also common in the Nordic countries, the swallowtail flag contains a third tail (the "tongue") between the other two tails.
[edit] Burgee
A burgee is either 1) any triangular flag (pennant) ending in a swallowtail; or 2) the distinguishing triangular flag of a boating club (which may not necessarily end in a swallowtail).
International signal flag for "group" |
[edit] 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 States), 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.
Guidon of the USA 7th Cavalry Regiment (19th century) |
Prussian cavalry standard with hussar cut (18th century) |