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# Dictionary of Vexillology: C (Cable Number – Campaign)

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Last modified: 2026-05-02 by martin karner
Keywords: vexillological terms |
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- CABLE NUMBER
- CABLED
- CABLED (or CABLE) CROSS
- CABOSHED (CABOSSED or CABOOCHED)
- CADENCY, MARK(S) OF
- CADUCEUS
- CALATRAVA CROSS
- CALL SIGN
- CALL SIGN HOIST
- CALVARY CROSS (or CALVARY)
- CALTRAP (CALTROP or CALTHROP)
- CAMBRIDGE FLAG
- CAMP COLOUR (or COLOR)
- CAMP FLAG
- CAMP SILK
- CAMPAIGN

CABLE NUMBER
  A code number identifying a precise shade of colour in the system developed by the Color Association of the United States, usually associated with a specific name, and used in the official specifications of all US government/military flags, and those of many states.

  US National Flag and Flags of the State of Arkansas, and of the State of Wyoming, US

  For example, please note that the official specification for the Stars and Stripes and some sub-national flags (as in the examples illustrated above) require: Cable No. 70180. Old Glory Red, Cable No. 70001, White and Cable No. 70075, Old Glory Blue.

CABLED
  The term for a charge, particularly an anchor, that is shown complete with its cable – but see foul anchor (also charge).

  Naval Jack of Ecuador; Flag of Melide, Switzerland; Flag of a Port Captain, Ecuador

CABLED CROSS
  See roped cross.

  (seiyaku.com)

CABOSHED (CABOSSED or CABOOCHED)
  Alternative heraldic terms used when an animal’s head is shown facing the observer with no part of the neck visible – cabossed or cabooched – but see affronty 1) (also guardant).

  Flag of Garešnica, Croatia; Flag of Gjesdal, Norway; Flag of Mecklenburgische Seenplatte, Germany

CADENCY, MARK(S) OF
  A heraldic term for the mark of difference added to an escutcheon to indicate that the bearer is heir to the owner, or a direct descendent of the family to which the primary coat of arms belongs, or that the person is a member of a related branch of the same family – differencing.

  Please note however, that the form these marks take may vary from country to country – for example – the cadency label is used on several British royal banners in deference to (although not in strict accordance with) English heraldic practice, whilst traditional Scottish heraldry is more likely to employ a bordure and other European traditions may change the colour of a charge. It is suggested therefore, that a suitable glossary or heraldic dictionary be consulted for further details (see also armorial bearings, bordure, coat of arms, label 2) and shield).

  The cadency marks of the 1st to the 6th son in English heraldry (Parker)

CADUCEUS
  A heraldic term for the magic wand or rod of Hermes/Mercury (patron of commerce) with two serpents wound around a winged staff; formerly also a symbol of the occult and of alchemists (amongst others), it is now more often (although by no means exclusively) associated with medical institutions – the staff of Hermes or of Mercury (see also Staff of Asclepius).

  Flag of the Head of State Tax Administration, Ukraine; Emblem of the Army Medical Corps, US (source); Customs Flag, Belarus

  Please note that this should not be confused with the Staff of Asclepius as referenced above, which has only one snake on an unadorned staff and is symbolic of the medical profession.

CALATRAVA CROSS
  See cross of calatrava

  Flag used in Manzanares Medieval Days, Spain

CALL SIGN
  Every vessel at sea is allocated an international call sign consisting of at least four letters for identification purposes by any means of signalling available, including flags – see call sign hoist below.

  Notes
  a) The current international call sign is made up of two letters identifying the country of registration and additional flags identifying the particular ship – but see make her number.
  b) Most navies also prescribe tactical call signs according to their own naval signal codes and which is used intra-service for operational purposes. Warships also generally hoist their international call signs at the yardarm when entering or leaving harbour (see also yardarm).

CALL SIGN HOIST
  A hoist of signal flags displaying the international call sign of a civil or naval vessel – but see make her number (also address group, signal hoist, international code of signal flags, pendant number and signal flag).

  NZAD (November-Zulu-Alpha-Delta) in the International Code of Signal Flags and the Call Sign Hoist of USS Blair

CALTRAP (CALTROP or CALTHROP)
  Alternative heraldic terms which describe a three or four-armed (usually but not invariably faceted) figure that represents an implement of war consisting of four spikes which, when thrown on the ground, always has one point facing upwards, and designed to injure men and/or horses – a caltrop, calthrop, cheval-trap or galtrap.

  Flag and Arms of Castelo Rodrigo, Portugal; Major's Colour Green Regiment c1642, England

CALVARY CROSS (or CALVARY)
  In heraldry see cross of Calvary.

  Flag of Geraardsbergen, Belgium

CAMBRIDGE FLAG
  See continental colours.

  Cambridge Flag/Continental Colours 1775–1777, US

CAMP COLOUR (or COLOR)
  1) An alternative term for a company colour in some regiments of British and Canadian foot guards (but see also company colour and note below).
  2) See camp flag.
  3) A term, now largely obsolete, for a small military flag originally used to delineate the boundaries of a regiment's encampment and later used in some armies as a company guide flag, to mark turning points in manoeuvring troops (but see also fanion 3)).

  Camp/Company Colour, No 2 Company, Governor General’s Foot Guards, Canada (official website)

  Please note with regard to 1) that as far as is known this term is used by the British Grenadier Guards, the Grenadier Guards of Canada and the Governor General’s Foot Guards (also Canada) in place of company colour.

CAMP FLAG
  In the British and some other army usage, a non-ceremonial flag, often containing the relevant badge against regimental colours, and used to indicate the presence of a unit, Corps or Regiment, or the position of their headquarters, within a camp or other location – a regimental, unit or headquarters flag (see also badge 3), emblem military and governmental/departmental and regimental colours 2)).

  Adjutant General's Corps, UK (Graham Bartram); Royal Regiment of Artillery, UK (Graham Bartram); Training and Development Branch, Canada (source)

CAMP SILK
  See camp colour 1) and company colour.

CAMPAIGN
  1) A series of events which are designed to achieve a specific goal or goals – for example the campaign to adopt a flag (see also flag design competition).
  2) In heraldry a word occasionally (but incorrectly) seen in place of the English term base – see base 1) (also in base).

  Arms and Flag of Madalena, Portugal

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