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# Dictionary of Vexillology: A (Alfaquaquus – American War Mothers Flag)

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Last modified: 2026-04-25 by martin karner
Keywords: vexillological terms |
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- Introduction
- Table of Contents
- Index of Terms
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On this page:

- ALFAQUAQUUS
- ALFERES (or ALFEROUS)
- ALIGHT
- ALLEGORY (or ALLEGORICAL)
- ALL SEEING EYE OF GOD
- ALLUSIVE ARMS
- ALTEMA
- ALTERNATIVE FLAG/ENSIGN (or ALTERNATE FLAG/ENSIGN)
- AMALGAM (or AMALGAM LANGUAGE) FLAGS
- AMARANTH
- AMBASSADOR'S (or AMBASSADORIAL) FLAG
- AMERICAN WAR MOTHERS FLAG

ALFAQUAQUUS
  The medieval term, now obsolete, for a person who is entitled to carry his banner erect on the King’s highway.

  Please note that this word is recorded as having a Spanish origin (which remains unproven) however, the extent to which it was used in English medieval manuscripts is not known.

ALFERES (or ALFEROUS)
  Late 17th early 18th century terms, now obsolete, for a standard bearer.

  Alferous/Standard Bearers: paintings from Victor Boucquet (left, 1664) and J.C. Verspronck (1640)

  Notes
  a) It is suggested that the alternative form was sometimes used in medieval manuscripts
  b) There is a possible relationship between this term and the Spanish military rank of alférez or ensign (see also ensign 5).

ALIGHT
  In heraldry see flamant.

  Arms and Flag of Torres Vedras, Portugal

ALLEGORY (or ALLEGORICAL)
  The terms covering a pictorial illustration with a symbolic meaning, and whose imagery is usually intended to convey a moral and/or political message – see anti-heraldry.

  Flag of the State of Virginia, US; Jack of the Batavian Republic 1797, The Netherlands; Flag of Richmond 1914–1933, US

ALL-SEEING EYE OF GOD
  See Eye of God.

  Flag of Goppisberg Switzerland; Flag of Radzymin, Poland

ALLUSIVE ARMS
  An alternative heraldic term to canting.

  Arms and Flag of Magdeburg ("Maiden Castle"), Germany (Wikipedia & fotw)

ALTEMA
  Medieval term, now obsolete, for the upper part of the cart upon which the standard was placed (see also carrocium, gajardus, standard 6)).

ALTERNATIVE FLAG/ENSIGN (or ALTERNATE FLAG/ENSIGN)
  Terms used to describe any flag or ensign (either official or unofficial) being presented as an alternative to that which is generally accepted (or officially established) for a particular role.

  National Flag/Civil Ensign as regulated, and Alternative Civil Ensign of the United Arab Emirates

AMALGAM (or AMALGAM LANGUAGE) FLAGS
  See linguistic flags (also combined flag).

  Amalgam Language Flags for English and German (CS)

AMARANTH
  In heraldry see shades of tincture.

AMBASSADOR'S (or AMBASSADORIAL) FLAG
  See diplomatic flags.

  Ambassador's flags: Sierra Leone, Italy 1918 and Finland 1919–1920

AMERICAN WAR MOTHERS FLAG
  See service flag 3).

  American War Mothers/Armistice Day Flag, US

Introduction | Table of Contents | Index of Terms | Previous Page | Next Page