Link to host page
This page is part of © FOTW Flags Of The World website

Dictionary of Vexillology: E (Equilateral Triangle – Eyelet)

Last modified: 2025-07-19 by martin karner
Keywords: vexillological terms |
Links: FOTW homepage | search | disclaimer and copyright | write us | mirrors


On this page:

EQUILATERAL TRIANGLE
A triangle whose three sides and three angles are equal – see triangle 1).

equilateral triangle
Flag of Carneirinho, Brazil

EQUIPOLLÉ (or EQUIPOLLÉE)
The alternative heraldic terms for a checky of nine squares (or occasionally squares and rectangles – see note a) below) in metal and tincture alternately (which thus form a cross) – a checky or checkered of nine, a cross equipollé or cross quarter-pierced – but see checky 2) and note b) below.

Sé, Portugal Sé, Portugal Lamas, Portugal
Arms and Flag of Sé, Portugal; Arms of Lamas, Portugal

Notes
a) If, for example, the cross equipollé is displayed on a banner of arms or on only a section of those arms, two or more of the squares will become rectangles.
b) A cross quarter-pierced need not (although it can) be formed by an equipollé of nine, and we suggest that a suitable glossary or dictionary of heraldry be consulted if further details are required.

Ħ'Attard, Malta
Flag of Ħ'Attard, Malta

ERADICATED
The heraldic term for a tree (or possibly a plant) showing its roots.

eradicated eradicated flag - Vest-Agder, Norway
Flag of Riedholz, Switzerland; Flag of Portunhos e Outil, Portugal; Flag of Vest-Agder, Norway

ERASED
The heraldic term used when a charge is cut off as in couped 1), but with the dividing line ragged or uneven – see couped 1).

erased erased erased
Flag and Arms of Morra, The Netherlands; Flag of Trinity College – Oxford University, UK

ERECT
1) The heraldic term used when an animal is shown upright or on its hind feet. In certain cases this may be used in place of "rampant", or may be employed in relation to the heads of animals and fish – but see erect 2), haurient, rampant and upright 2).
2) The heraldic term also used when a charge (often a sword) is shown upright, and employed particularly when it is not normally seen in that position.

erect erect erect
Flag of Gorjani, Croatia; Arms of Sibenik-Knin, Croatia Flag of Smokvica, Croatia

ERMINE
The heraldic term for the fur of that animal, and usually shown as a semé of small black trefoils (with larger tails) on a white field (see also ‘furs’, potent 1), semé, trefoil and vair).

Gistel Ermine Ermine
Flag of Gistel, Belgium; Flag of Pays de Dol, France; Flag of Almanza, Spain

Please note that "ermine" is considered symbolic of royalty, and is (accordingly) often seen on royal insignia – see pavilion.

ERRONEOUS FLAG
1) A term sometimes used in place of the more precise terms fictional or fictitious flag – see fictional flag and fictitious flag (also false flag 1)).
2) A flag displayed or identified in error/mistakenly.

Fictional Flag Fictional Flag
Erroneous/Fictitious Flag of the Congo from the film Dark of the Sun; Erroneous/Fictional Flag of Buranda from the TV series Yes Minister

ESCALLOP
The heraldic term for a scallop shell generally (but not exclusively) facing downwards, and often representing the badge of a pilgrim (see also pilgrim's staff).

Escallop Escallop Escallop
Flag of Saint-Barthélemy, Switzerland; Flag of Buttwil, Switzerland; Flag of Dorénaz, Switzerland

ESCARBUNCLE
The heraldic term for a charge with several radiating arms which is meant to represent the strengthening/decorative metalwork of a shield – a carbuncle or charbuncle.

[Escarbuncle example] [Escarbuncle example] [Escarbuncle example]
Flag and Arms of Re, Vestfold, Norway; Flag of Gnarrenburg, Germany

ESCUTCHEON
The heraldic term for a shield or base upon which charges or quarterings are placed (see also charge, impale 1), inescutcheon, quartering, and shield 1).

[Escutcheon example] [Escutcheon example] [Escutcheon example]
Escutcheons: Devínska Nová Ves, Slovakia, Oruro, Bolivia and Województwo Wielkopolskie, Poland

Notes
a) In English heraldry the shape of this shield/escutcheon is considered irrelevant in a grant of arms – a shape which is (in any case) usually dictated by the current fashion, however.
b) The escutcheon of a spinster or widow is displayed upon a lozenge as referenced above.

[Escutcheon example]
Escutcheon of Kate Middleton before her marriage to HRH Prince William

ESCUTCHEON OF PRETENCE (or PRETENSE)
1) The heraldic term used when one country adds the arms of another to its own in order to show a claim to all or part of that country – for example: the arms of France added to those of England from c1350–1801 – but see flag of pretence.
2) The heraldic term also used when the arms of an heiress are placed in the centre of those of her husband, rather than being impaled – see impaled.
3) See inescutcheon.

[Royal Standard 1399] [Danish royal arms] [Spanish Royal Standard 1700]
Royal Standard, England c1399–1605; Royal Arms, Denmark; Royal Standard Spain 1700–1759

ESTABLISHMENT OF ARMS
An alternative term for a full set of armorial bearings (see also armorial bearings and coat of arms).

[Establishment of arms example]
Flag of Gloucester, UK

ESTOILE
The heraldic term for a star or star-like charge that usually (but not exclusively) has six wavy points, and considered by some sources to be interchangeable with mullet – see mullet.

[Estoile example] [Estoile example] [Estoile example]
Flag and Arms of Portsmouth, UK; Flag of St. Hilda's College Oxford, UK

Please note, we suggest that a glossary or dictionary of heraldry be consulted regarding the term given above.

ETALON FLAG
See model flag.

[Establishment of arms example]
Flag of Yukon Territory, Canada (Design Details Established by Etalon/Model Flag)

EVENING COLOURS (or COLORS)
See sunset.


Naval Ensign, UK; Naval Ensign, South Africa 1952–1981

EVENT FLAG
See commemorative flag.

[26th ICV flag]
Flag of the 26th International Congress of Vexillology, Australia

EVERTED
An alternative heraldic term to reversed – see reversed 2).

everted example

EVOLUTE
(v) A largely US term for the unrolling of a flag that has been stored rolled around a tube (see also unfurl).
EXECUTIVE ORDER
In US usage, the legal means by which the President authorizes display of a flag or the amendment of an established design, and the equivalent of a Presidential Decree or Royal Order in Council – see presidential decree, royal decree and royal order in council 2) (also flag law).

[Executive order] [Executive order]
National Flags of the USA 1912–1959 and 1959–1960 as Regulated by Executive Order

EXPANDING STRIPE(S)
A term that may be used when a stripe or stripes widen (usually but not invariably) from the hoist to the fly and start from one fixed point (or from two closely spaced points) as in, for example, the flags of the Marshall Islands or the Seychelles – diverging stripes – but see converging stripes and beams (also radiating 1), stripe(s) and striped).

[Expanding stripes example] [Expanding stripes example] 
National Flag of the Marshall Islands; National Flag of the Seychelles

Please note that this is not an established term, but has been introduced by the Editors as no suitably accurate alternative could be found

EX-VOTO FLAG
A flag, usually small and plain, displayed (especially by Hindus) to fulfill a religious vow (see also religious flag).
EYE COLOUR (or COLOR)
See animated.


Flag and Arms of Vreia de Bornes, Portugal

EYE OF GOD (OF PROVIDENCE or OF DIVINE PROVIDENCE)
The alternative terms for an ancient symbol composed of an eye contained within by a triangle now taken to symbolize the Trinity, and usually (but not exclusively) surrounded by a nimbus, the rays of a sun, a mandoria or similar – the All-Seeing Eye of God, the Eye of Providence or of Divine Providence, God’s Eye or a Trinity Eye (see also mandoria, nimbus, radiant and rays 1)).

[eye of God example] [eye of God example]
Flag of Goppisberg, Switzerland; Flag of Radzymin, Poland

EYE SPLICE
The naval term for a closed loop at the end of a rope or halyard formed by splicing the end of the rope back into itself to form an eye – a running eye – but see becket (also running eye and toggle and splice).

[eye splice]

EYELET
See grommet.

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