Band:
A narrow strip of canvas along the edge of the Flag that goes next to the staff. Sometimes called the "heading".
Canton
Canton:
The blue field in the upper left corner of the Flag.
Color
Color:
In the military service, a National Flag carried by unmounted units is called a "color". The expression "the Colors" is used generally in referring to the Flag.
Dip
Dip:
To dip the Flag is to lower it at salute. Refers to a flag of an organization, state, or city. The flag of the United States is never dipped.
Ensign
Ensign:
In the Navy the National Flag is usually spoken of as the Ensign.
Finial
Finial:
The object on the top of a Flag pole, generally an arrow, ball, or eagle.
Fly
Fly:
The length of the flag.
Fringe Or Gold
Fringe Or Gold:
Gold braiding placed along the three edges of the Flag away from the pole.
Grommet
Grommet:
The eyelet through which the halyard is fastened to the Flag.
Half-Staff
Half-Staff:
To lower the Flag some distance (not necessarily half-way down) from the top of the staff, as a sign of mourning.
Halyard
Halyard:
The rope used to raise the flag; also called a hoist rope.
Hoist
Hoist:
The width of the flag. To hoist the flag is to raise it to the top of the staff.
Old Glory
Old Glory:
Refers to the flag of the United States. This famous name may have been coined in 1831. Some friends presented Captain William Driver with a twenty-four star flag. As the banner opened to the ocean breeze he exclaimed "Old Glory!"
Peak
Peak:
The highest point to which a flag can be raised.
Point Of Honor
Point Of Honor:
On the United States flag this is the blue field and stars (Union).
Staff
Staff:
Flag pole. On a ship it may be referred to as a mast.
Union
Union:
The blue background with white stars, symbolizing the union of the States.
