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# Dictionary of Vexillology: B (Budgee Flag – Buss)

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Last modified: 2026-05-09 by martin karner
Keywords: vexillological terms |
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On this page:

- BUDDHIST FLAG
- BUDDHIST WHEEL OF LAW
- BUDGEE FLAG
- BUDGEE JACK
- BUDGEE PENDANT (or PENNANT)
- BUFF
- BUGLE HORN
- BUILDING SITE FLAG (or BSF)
- BULLOCK PENNANT
- BUNCH OF GRAPES
- BUNDESDIENSTFLAGGE
- BUNTINE
- BUNTING
- BUNTING TOSSER (or BUNTS)
- BURGEE
- BURGEE COMMAND PENNANT
- BURGUNDY CROSS
- BURIAL FLAG
- BURNING
- BUSS

BUDDHIST FLAG
  A flag with a number of variations symbolizing Buddhism, most often (but not invariably) showing five vertical and five horizontal stripes and first raised in 1885 (see also chakra, prayer flag, religious flag and thangka).

  "Standard" Buddhist Flag with those used in Tibet (fictitious) and Myanmar

BUDDHIST WHEEL OF LAW
  See chakra).

  National Flag of Thailand 1782–1817

BUDGEE FLAG
  A late 17th, early 18th century English/UK naval term, now obsolete, for an ensign that bore a union flag canton rather than a canton with the cross of St George, and before 1707 for use only outside home waters (see also budgee pendant, privateer jack and ensign 1)).

  Flag for use outside home waters until 1707, then British Red Ensign 1707–1801

BUDGEE JACK
  See privateer jack (also budgee flag and budgee pendant).

  Budgee/Privateer Jack until 1801, UK

BUDGEE PENDANT (or PENNANT)
  A late 17th, early 18th century English/UK naval term, now obsolete, for a red swallow-tailed pennant which bore a union flag rather than the cross of St George at its hoist for use as a pennant of distinction by senior captains in command of a formation of ships outside home waters – a union pendant (see also broad pennant, budgee flag, pendant, pendant of distinction, privateer jack, union jack and union mark).

  The Budgee Pendant c1700, England (CS)

  Notes
  a) As far as is known the budgee pendant had disappeared by 1710
  b) The Editors – whilst no firm evidence could be found – have taken the colour of the pendant’s fly from that of the standard distinction pennant as introduced in 1674.

BUFF
  In largely (but not exclusively) US usage, a term for that shade of beige, which corresponds to uniform facings worn during the American War of Independence by some general officers and by many line regiments of the Continental infantry.

  Flag of New Jersey, US; Flag of Delaware, US, Flag of Angelina, Brazil

  Notes
  a) Buff was also one of the facing colours used by the British army at the time of the American War of Independence – see facing colour.
  b) It is suggested that use of the facings mentioned above could have derived from the buff-coloured (leather) coats worn by both infantry and cavalry in the 17th century.

BUGLE HORN
  The heraldic term that covers any type of traditional, musical horn – a hunting horn or post horn etc. (see also stringed).

  Flag of Cornellà del Terri, Spain; Flag of Stralendorf, Germany; Flag of Baçal, Portugal

BUILDING SITE FLAG (or BSF)
  See logo on a bedsheet.

  Former flag of the State of Minnesota, US

BULLOCK PENNANT
  In 18th century French naval usage the term, now obsolete, for a red pennant hoisted from the flagship to signal that a ration bullock had just been slaughtered (see also beef flag, pennant 2)).

  Conjectural image (Željko Heimer)

  Please note, information suggests that this term – a direct translation of the French "flamme de boeuf" – may have ceased after 1792, however, this is not certain.

BUNCH OF GRAPES
  The fruit of the vine (from which wine is created) when displayed in the way they naturally grow – in heraldry see grappe de raisin.

  Flag of Arruda dos Vinhos, Portugal; Flag of Cully, Switzerland; Flag of Souselas e Botão, Portugal

BUNDESDIENSTFLAGGE
  See federal service flag.

  Budesdienstflaggen/Federal Service Flags of Austria and Germany

BUNTINE
  An alternative spelling, now largely obsolete, of bunting – see bunting 1).

BUNTING
  1) Strong, loosely woven cloth used for making flags, originally of cotton and/or wool but sometimes of other fibres, and now largely replaced by synthetic materials – buntine, bewper or beaufort (see also breadth 2)).
  2) A series of small, simple flags connected by a line, or a length of gathered decorative fabric, generally in the national colours and usually hung or draped between two anchor points. Often employed when flag usage would be inappropriate or unsuitable – but see swag(s) (also fan, mourning bunting, national colours and rules of respect).
  3) In heraldry a species of bird as a charge.

BUNTING TOSSER (or BUNTS)
  In British Royal Navy usage and some others, a traditional nickname for those sailors in the signals branch whose duties include the care and hoisting of signal flags, flags of command and ensigns etc. – but see flags 1) (also command pennant, flag locker, flags 1), "naval ensign" under ensign, yeoman of signals).

BURGEE
  1) The small distinguishing flag of a yacht or boating club, usually (but not exclusively) either triangular or in the shape of a tapered swallowtail (see also broad pennant 3), officer’s pennants, swallow-tail(ed) and souvenir flags).
  2) In obsolete naval usage, a term sometimes applied to the swallow-tailed pennants used in flag signalling but see burgee command pennant (also international code of signals, pennant 2), signal flag).

  Burgees: Royal Lymington Yacht Club UK; Burin Sailing Club, Croatia; Knysna Yacht Club, RSA

  Please note, it is suggested by some sources that the term derives from ‘budgee’ which it is proposed was an alternative 17th century name for bunting (see also budgee flag and budgee pendant).

BURGEE COMMAND PENNANT
  In US naval usage, a pennant that is flown at the main masthead in place of the commission (or masthead) pennant to indicate the presence on board of an officer in command of a formation of vessels (or an aircraft wing), but who holds the rank of captain or lower – see broad command pennant (also broad pennant, burgee 2), burgee command pennant, command pennant, flag of command, masthead pennant 1) and private ship).

  Burgee Command Pennant, US (seaflags.us)

  Please note however, that the US practice of displacing the commission (or masthead) pennant by the burgee or the broad command pennants differs from general naval practice where the various command pennants (excepting the broad pennant) are usually (but not invariably) flown in addition and subordinate to the masthead pennant.

BURGUNDY CROSS
  See ragged cross.

  Flag of The Carlists, Spain

BURIAL FLAG
  See pall flag.

  (military.com)

BURNING
  In heraldry see flamant (also inflamed and incensed).

  Arms and Flag of Karasjok, Norway

BUSS
  (v) In Scottish usage a term to describe the decoration of a finial with coloured ribbons.

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