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Dictionary of Vexillology: S (Scallop Shell - Scythian Cap)

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SCALLOP SHELL
SCALLOPED
SCANDINAVIAN CROSS
SCANDINAVIAN-TYPE (or SCANDINAVIAN-STYLE) CROSS
SCARF (or SCARVES)
SCEPTRE (or SCEPTER)
SCHELLENBAUM
SCHWEBENDES TATZENKREUZ
SCHWENKEL
SCIMITAR
SCOOP WHEEL
SCOTTISH SALTIRE
SCROLL
SCYTHIAN CAP

SCALLOP SHELL

In heraldry see ‘escallop’.

Flag of Morissen, Switzerland (fotw); Arms of Fraiăo, Portugal (fotw)

SCALLOPED

1) (adj) Where the edges of a flag are cut into repeated semi-circular shapes – an indented edge.
2) (adj) The term may also be used when the top edge of a shield is seen with two (or more) semi-circular cut-outs – but see the note below (also ‘shield’).

Example; Two Merchant Flags, Portugal 16th/17th Century (fotw)

Please note that in heraldry a division line within a shield or banner of arms is not scalloped, but is either engrailed or invected – see ‘engrailed’ and ‘invected’.

SCANDINAVIAN CROSS

A cross with arms of equal width, whose horizontal arm runs along the centre of the flag, but whose vertical arm is off-centred towards the hoist – a Nordic cross – but see the note below (also ‘splitflag 1)’ and ‘splitflag 2)’).

National Flag of Denmark (fotw); National Arms of Iceland (fotw); National Flag of Norway (fotw)

Please note that this term should only be used for those flags which are from, or have a connection with the Scandinavian region (such as that of the Shetland Islands), otherwise see ‘off-centred cross 2)’

SCANDINAVIAN-TYPE (or SCANDINAVIAN-STYLE) CROSS

See ‘off-centred cross 2)’.

Flag of Saar 1947-1956, Germany (fotw)

SCARF (or SCARVES)

The heraldic term for a (or the) small ecclesiastical banner (or banners) fixed to the top of a bishop’s crosier (see also ‘banderole’), ‘crozier’ and ’stringed’).

Flag of Samotišky, Czechia (fotw); Flag of Opatovice, Czechia (fotw); Flag of Světlá , Czechia (fotw)

SCEPTRE (or SCEPTER)

An ornamental rod or wand, and originally symbolic of a monarch’s temporal power (see also ‘crown’ and ‘orb’).

Honour Flag c1860, Austria/Hungary (fotw); National Flag of Montenegro; Flag of Kareli, Georgia (fotw)

SCHELLENBAUM

See 'tugh 1)’ and its following note.

Source: National Music Museum, used with permission

SCHWEBENDES TATZENKREUZ

The German term covering a cross pattée – see ‘cross pattée’ (also ‘cross-couped’).

House Flag of Christoph Lamprecht, Germany (fotw)

SCHWENKEL

1) A type of flag, now obsolete, which shows a strip along its top edge that extends beyond the fly to become a tongue (see also ‘engrailed fly’, 'palm', ‘square-tongued’, ‘stepped fly’ and ‘tongue(s) 1)’).
2) A form of flag where a triangular tongue extends from the upper fly corner of the flag – but see note a) below.
3) The tail or tongue as described above.

Flag of Zurich c1400, Switzerland (fotw); Flag of Tetouan, Morocco 1968 - 1976 (fotw); Flag of Beni Mellal, Morocco 1968 – 1976 (fotw)

Notes
a) With regard to 2), the Editors suggest that the term “tongue”(as referenced above) should be used where this projection forms an integral part of the flag as referenced above and illustrated below.
b) Definition 3) is based upon the original German this term refers only to the tail.

Flag of Wloclawek City, Poland (fotw)

SCIMITAR

The term for an oriental sword with a single-edged curved blade and plain cross guard, whose blade is often seen widening from hilt to tip – but see ‘sabre’ and its following note.

Flag of Middlesex, UK (fotw); Flag of Virovitica, Croatia (fotw); Standard of Baroda, India, c1939 (fotw)

SCOOP WHEEL

A term for the representation of an animal or engine-driven device for the lifting of water from one level to another (see also ‘waterwheel’ and ‘windmill).

Flag and Arms of Hude, Germany (fotw); Flag of Bairros, Portugal (fotw)

SCOTTISH SALTIRE

See ‘St Andrew's Cross 2)’.

National flag of Scotland (fotw)

SCROLL

A usually narrow ribbon of varying length and elaboration; it is normally (but not exclusively) placed below the shield in a set of armorial bearings or an emblem, and is inscribed with a motto or the name of a state or other entity – a ribbon – but see ‘ribbon scroll 2)’ (also ‘Appendix IV’, ‘armorial bearings’, ‘coat of arms’, ‘emblem’ and ‘motto’).

Flag of Juba, South Sudan (fotw); The National Emblem of Brunei (fotw); The Flag of The State of New Jersey, US (fotw)

SCYTHIAN CAP

See ‘cap of liberty’.

Flag of Pereira, Chile (io9.com)

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