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# Dictionary of Vexillology: S (Seal – Selvedge)

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Last modified: 2026-04-25 by martin karner
Keywords: vexillological terms |
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On this page:

- SEAL
- SEAL FLAG
- SEAL OF SOLOMON
- SEAL OF THE STATE OF
- SEAL ON A BEDSHEET
- SEA-LION (or SEA LION)
- SECOND CANTON (or QUARTER)
- SECOND COLOUR (or COLOR)
- SECTOR(S)
- SECTOR FLAGS/PENNANTS
- SECTORED
- SEEDED
- SEGMENTED (or SEGMENTAL)
- SEGREANT
- SEJANT
- SELVEDGE

SEAL
  An emblem or design representing a government, a branch within that government or a person that, when embossed upon or affixed to a document, proves its authenticity or which validates a legal instrument. The reproduction of an official seal often appears on US sub-national flags – see seal of the state of (also anti-heraldry, military crest, quadrant 1), seal flag, seal on a bedsheet, sub-national flag, state flag 2)).

  Flag of El Paso County, US; State Seal of Florida; Flag of Subotica, Serbia

  Please note, that whilst a seal originally showed the user’s badge or parts of their armorial bearings (and was used to create an impression on wax or lead), when seen on flags today it is generally not (particularly in US usage) a coat of arms as defined herein (see also anti-heraldry).

SEAL FLAG
  A term for the flag whose main charge consists of a seal as defined herein, set largely (but not exclusively) on a plain field and most often seen in the flags of US states and government agencies (see also anti-heraldry, armorial flag, charge 2), plain 2), seal).

  Flag of Idaho, US; Flag of the Dept of Energy, US; Flag of the Census Bureau, US

  Notes:
  a) This term has been introduced by the Editors as being more appropriate than those (sometimes) currently in use – see logo on a bedsheet and seal on a bedsheet.
  b) In US usage flags of his type are often derived from previously established military colours.

SEAL OF THE STATE OF
  In largely (but not exclusively) US usage, the seal relating to a specific state of the union – see flag of the state of and seal (also seal flag).

  Flag of the State of New Hampshire; Seal of State of Minnesota, US; Flag of the State of Kansas

SEAL OF SOLOMON
  See magen david and its following note (also pentagram).

  National flag and Emblem of Morocco

SEAL ON A BEDSHEET
  1) A term that (together with logo on a bedsheet) is intended to be derogatory, to apply particularly to sub-national flags in the US and to describe any such flag that bears a seal (as opposed to another form of charge) upon a plain field – but see seal flag (also seal).
  2) As above, but the term may (albeit inaccurately) include flags bearing a coat of arms rather than a seal – see armorial flag.

  Flag of Nebraska, US; Former flag of Minnesota, US; Flag of New York, US

SEA-LION (or SEA LION)
  In heraldry the term used to describe a charge in the form of a mythological creature that is part lion and part fish – see heraldic beasts.

  Flag of Varaždinske Toplice, Croatia; Arms of Portsmouth, UK; Presidential Flag of the Philippines

SECOND CANTON (or QUARTER)
  Terms covering that quarter of a flag which occupies the upper fly – the second quarter, upper fly or upper fly canton – see canton 3) (also hoist 1)).

SECOND COLOUR (or COLOR)
  An old term, now rarely used outside the British and Canadian foot guards, for the regimental colour (see also colour 2 and colours 2)).

  Second/Regimental Colour of the Governor General's Foot Guards, Canada

SECTOR(S)
  1) In vexillology a term that is used to describe the section (or sections) of a charge or field which meet at, or emanate from, a central point.
  2) See gyronny.

  Civil Jack, Aircraft Roundel and Naval Jack of The Netherlands

SECTOR FLAGS/PENNANTS
  See registration flags.

  Sector/Registration flag, Arrondissement of Rochefort, France

SECTORED
  1) See faceted.
  2) In vexillology a term that may be used in place of the heraldic "gyronny" when a charge or field is divided into sections in (usually) alternating or different – but see gyronny.

  Flag of Gornji Grad, Slovenia; Symbol of the Ratana faith, New Zealand; Flag of Schellerten, Germany

SEEDED
  The heraldic term used when describing the centre of a rose, other flower or flower-like charge, particularly when this is of a different tincture – but see barbed (also tincture).

  Flag of Hampshire, UK; Flag of Lancashire and of Lancashire CC

  Please note that botany draws a distinction between the stamen and seedpods of a rose or other flower, whereas English heraldry does not.

SEGMENTED (or SEGMENTAL)
  See faceted and gyronny (also sector(s) 1)).

  Flag of Mollis, Switzerland; Flag of Balneário Camboriú, Brazil

SEGREANT
  The heraldic term used in place of rampant when applied to a griffin whose wings are generally expanded – see rampant (also heraldic beasts).

  Military Crest of Michigan, US; Flag of Boksburg, South Africa 1981–1994

SEJANT
  The heraldic term used when a beast is in a sitting position – but see couchant and the note below (also heraldic beasts).

  Flag of Villarsel-sur-Marly, Switzerland; Flag of Škabrnja, Croatia; Flag of Sobrio, Switzerland

  Please note that the visual difference between sejant and couchant is often difficult to determine, and we suggest that the official blazon be followed in each individual case.

SELVEDGE (or SELVAGE)
  The outer edges of a length of cloth so woven that the threads do not unravel, and used to minimize the area of a flag which might otherwise be lost through hemming – most particularly in those flags formerly made from breadths of fabric (see also breadth 2).

  (Željko Heimer)

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