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# Dictionary of Vexillology: S (Scallop Shell – Scythian Cap)

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

- SCALLOP SHELL
- SCALLOPED
- SCANDINAVIAN CROSS
- SCANDINAVIAN-TYPE (or SCANDINAVIAN-STYLE) CROSS
- SCARF (or SCARVES)
- SCEPTRE (or SCEPTER)
- SCEPTRE FLEURY
- SCHELLENBAUM
- SCHWEBENDES TATZENKREUZ
- SCHWENKEL
- SCIMITAR
- SCOOP WHEEL
- SCOTTISH PENNANT
- SCOTTISH SALTIRE
- SCROLL
- SCYTHIAN CAP

SCALLOP SHELL
  In heraldry see escallop.

  Flag of Morissen, Switzerland

SCALLOPED
  1) (adj) Where the edges of a flag are cut into repeated semi-circular shapes – an indented edge.
  2) (adj) The term may also be used when the top edge of a shield is seen with two (or more) semi-circular cut-outs – but see the note below (also shield).

  Example; Two Merchant Flags, Portugal 16th/17th century

  Please note that in heraldry a division line within a shield or banner of arms is not scalloped, but is either engrailed or invected – see engrailed and invected.

SCANDINAVIAN CROSS
  A cross with arms of equal width, whose horizontal arm runs along the centre of the flag, but whose vertical arm is off-centred towards the hoist – a Nordic cross – but see the note below (also splitflag 1) and splitflag 2)).

  National Flag of Denmark; National Arms of Iceland; National Flag of Norway

  Please note that this term should only be used for those flags which are from, or have a connection with the Scandinavian region (such as that of the Shetland Islands), otherwise see off-centred cross 2)

SCANDINAVIAN-TYPE (or SCANDINAVIAN-STYLE) CROSS
  See off-centred cross 2).

  Flag of Saar 1947–1956, Germany

SCARF (or SCARVES)
  The heraldic term for a (or the) small ecclesiastical banner (or banners) fixed to the top of a bishop’s crosier (see also banderole), crozier and stringed).

  Flag of Samotišky, Czechia; Flag of Opatovice, Czechia; Flag of Světlá, Czechia

SCEPTRE (or SCEPTER)
  An ornamental rod or wand, and originally symbolic of a monarch’s temporal power (see also crown and orb).

  Honour Flag c1860, Austria/Hungary; National Arms of Montenegro; Flag of Kareli, Georgia

SCEPTRE FLEURY
  See baton(s) fleury.

  Flag of Thusis, Switzerland

SCHELLENBAUM
  See tugh 1) and its following note.

  Schellenbaum (National Music Museum)

SCHWEBENDES TATZENKREUZ
  The German term covering a cross pattée (see also cross-couped).

  House Flag of Christoph Lamprecht, Germany

SCHWENKEL
  1) A type of flag, now obsolete, which shows a strip along its top edge that extends beyond the fly to become a tongue (see also engrailed fly, palm, square-tongued, stepped fly, tongue(s) 1)).
  2) A form of flag where a triangular tongue extends from the upper fly corner of the flag – but see note a) below.
  3) The tail or tongue as described above.

  Flag of Zurich c1400, Switzerland; Flag of Tetouan, Morocco 1968–1976; Flag of Beni Mellal, Morocco 1968–1976

  Notes
  a) With regard to 2), the Editors suggest that the term "tongue" (as referenced above) should be used where this projection forms an integral part of the flag as referenced above and illustrated below.
  b) Definition 3) is based upon the original German, this term refers only to the tail.

  Flag of Wloclawek City, Poland

SCIMITAR
  The term for an oriental sword with a single-edged curved blade and plain cross guard, whose blade is often seen widening from hilt to tip – but see sabre and its following note.

  Flag of Middlesex, UK; Flag of Virovitica, Croatia; Standard of Baroda, India, c1939

SCOOP WHEEL
  A term for the representation of an animal or engine-driven device for the lifting of water from one level to another (see also waterwheel and windmill).

  Flag of Santa Comba, Portugal; Flag of Hausen, Germany; Flag of Bairros, Portugal

SCOTTISH (or SCOTLAND) PENNANT
  In UK usage, the terms employed to describe a white trapezoidal pennant with a St Andrew's Cross at its hoist and a white over blue bicolour fly, which may be flown where a flagpole would otherwise be unused – a Scotland Pennant or Pennant of Scotland (see also bicolour 2), English pennant, hoist 1), pennant, St. Andrew's Cross 2), trapezoid 2), union pennant, Welsh pennant, wimpel 1)).

SCOTTISH SALTIRE
  See St Andrew's Cross 2).

  National flag of Scotland

SCROLL
  A usually narrow ribbon of varying length and elaboration; it is normally (but not exclusively) placed below the shield in a set of armorial bearings or an emblem, and is inscribed with a motto or the name of a state or other entity – a ribbon – but see ribbon scroll 2) (also Appendix IV, armorial bearings, coat of arms, emblem, motto).

  Flag of Juba, South Sudan; The National Emblem of Brunei; The Flag of The State of New Jersey, US

SCYTHIAN CAP
  See cap of liberty.

  Flag of Pereira, Colombia

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