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# Dictionary of Vexillology: Z (Ziggurat – Zupa Gaiferia)

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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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- Next Page (Appendix I)

On this page:

- ZIGGURAT
- ZIGZAG
- ZIGZAG BORDER
- ZULFIKAR (or ZULFIQAR)
- ZUPA GAIFERIA

ZIGGURAT
  The term sometimes used for a stepped pyramid – but see stepped and the following note.

  Flag and Arms of Argeriz, Portugal

  Please note that this term should only apply to pyramids of a South American origin, and that the terms "stepped" or "stepped pyramid" should be used for other structures of this general type as referenced above.

ZIGZAG
  See serrated 3).

  Civil Ensign of Taiwan 1929–1966

ZIGZAG BORDER
  See flammulets 2) and wolf's teeth 1).

  Royal Standard of Yugoslavia c1925–1937

ZULFIKAR (or ZULFIQAR)
  A term for the split-bladed or double-pointed "Sword of Ali" (originally a symbol of – the Janissaries – an elite military formation of the Ottoman Empire) that has appeared on several Arab flags – a zulfiqar (see also shahada and takbir).

  Flag of the Great Admiral of The Porte, Ottoman Empire 19th c.; Standard of the Bey of Tunis c1860–1957; Standard of the Bey of Constantine c1836

ZUPA GAIFERIA
  A medieval term, now obsolete, for the symbols (the flag and arms etc) of a society or of a state.

  Please note that the information given above must be considered to a certain degree speculative, and it is suggested that it might be a Latinised version of an original term of uncertain origin.

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