Dictionary of Vexillology: S (Shades of Tincture – Shuttle) (original) (raw)

SHADES OF TINCTURE

English heraldry, generally speaking, recognizes only one shade per colour, however, in practice and in Continental European heraldry, various different shades will be encountered for the primary tinctures – see ‘tinctures’ and the note below.

Sanguine and Murrey/Amaranth, Bleu Celeste

Notes a) Gules may be divided into murrey/amaranth (dark red) or sanguine (blood red), whilst azure could also appear as bleu celeste (sky blue). b) There are, however, a number of variations not covered above, and we suggest that a suitable glossary or dictionary of heraldry be consulted if further details are required.

SHAFT

1. See ‘shafted’ below.

2. A term that is sometimes used in place of lance or staff, particularly when a cavalry guidon is being carried – but see ‘lance’ and ‘staff 2)’ (also ‘guidon’).

SHAFTED

A heraldic term used when the wooden section of an arrow, lance or spear is of a different tincture to its head (and/or flights if appropriate) – but see ‘barbed’, (also ‘garnished’, ‘hafted’, ‘hilted’, ‘rogacina’ and ‘tincture’).

Flag of Střelice, Czechia; Flag of Santa Maria, Portugal; Flag of Pracejovice, Czechia

SHAHADA

A term (meaning “testimony” or “approval” in Arabic) that refers to the Islamic statement of faith which appears on several Arab flags, and is usually seen thereon in its shortened form – La allah illa Allah (wa) Muhammed rasulu Allah – or “There is no Deity but God (and) Muhammed is God’s messenger” (see also ‘takbir’and ‘zulfikar’).

Flag of the Asiri Regional Movement, Saudi Arabia; National Flag of Saudi Arabia; A Political Flag from Palestine

Notes a) The full term reads Ashhadu Alla Ilaha Illa Allah Wa Ashhadu Anna Muhammad Rasulu Allah or "I bear witness that there is no Deity other than Allah and that Muhammad is his servant and Messenger". b) The use of a sacred text on the Saudi flag has resulted in many restrictions as to its use and appearance.

SHAMROCK

In heraldry see ‘trefoil’.

Ensign and burgee of the Royal North of Ireland Yacht Club

SHARIFIAN FLAG

An alternative term of the Arab Revolt Flag of 1917 – but see ‘pan-Arab colours’ and the note below.

Sharifian/Arab Revolt Flag 1917–20

Please note that the name derives specifically from the title of Hussein bin Ali, who as Sharif of Mecca was leader of the Arab Revolt.

SHARK ALERT (or ALARM) FLAG (or PENNANT)

See ‘beach flag’.

Shark Alert Flags, Hong Kong and South Africa

SHARK'S TEETH

See ‘wolfteeth’).

Flag and Arms of Borovnice, Czechia

SHEAF OF WHEAT (or OF ANOTHER CEREAL)

In heraldry see ‘garbe’).

Flag and Arms of Fenais da Luz, Portugal

SHEAVED BLOCK

A nautical term for a pulley, the sheave being the revolving grooved wheel within the block and on which the halyard runs (see also ‘Appendix I’ and ‘halyard’).

SHELL

In heraldry see ‘escallop’.

Flag of Sant Jaume dels Domenys, Spain

SHERIFF'S BANNER

In English and Welsh Usage, a term for the armorial trumpet banner (or banners) used at the ceremonial installation of a county’s High Sheriff, and usually bearing his personal arms or those of his bailiwick – but see ‘bannerette’ (also ‘armigerous’ and ‘coat of arms 1)’.

Please note that in British Usage (including Scotland) a High Sheriff is now appointed as representing the monarch in all matters relating to the judiciary and to law and order.

SHIELD

1. In heraldry the shield (varying in detail and based on an item of defensive armour) is the basic element of all armorial bearings, and forms the field upon which the main heraldic charges are displayed. It is always blazoned first, and is often shown alone – an escutcheon (see also ‘Appendix IV’, ‘armorial bearings’, ‘banner of arms’, ‘blazon’, ‘coat of arms’ and ‘escutcheon’).

2. On flags as above, but the charge or charges displayed need not be heraldic in origin, and (and sometimes shown with weapons) is often said to symbolize a willingness to defend the country country (see also ‘French shield’, ‘Gothic shield’ with its following note, ‘Italian shield’, ‘rectangular shield’, ‘round-bottomed shield 2)’, ‘scalloped 2)’, ‘Spanish-style shield’ and the note below plus ‘triarched triangular shield’).

[ ](../images/v/vxt-d5031.gif) [ ](../images/v/vxt-d562c.gif) [ ](../images/v/vxt-d5389.gif)
Flag of Čađavica, Croatia; Example (CS); Flag of Strahoninec, Croatia

Notes a) In English heraldry the shape of a shield is generally considered unimportant, and is (in any case) subject to fashion, however, b) On flags (and in some systems of continental heraldry) this shape may be exactly specified.

SHIELD-SHAPED

See ‘ogival’.

[ ](../images/v/vxt-d661.gif)
Flag of France in a 14th century image

SHIELD LOZENGY

See ‘lozengy 1)’.

[ ](../images/v/vxt-d3363.gif) [ ](../images/v/vxt-d3364.gif)
Arms and Flag of the South Georgia and the Sandwich Islands

SHIELD OF DAVID

See ‘Magen David’.

National Flag of Israel

SHIFT COLOURS (or COLORS)

(v) In US, UK and some other naval usage, the procedure whereby a warship’s ensign is struck from its staff at the stern and hoisted at the peak as a vessel gets underway – see ‘peak 1)’ and its following notes (also ‘gaff’, ‘ensign staff’, ‘naval ensign’ under ‘ensign’ and ‘strike’).

Please note that the practice began in the 18th century due to a change in the design of the mizzen gaff-sail which made the fitting of an ensign staff impractical whilst underway.

SHIFTED TO

The term that should be used when an object (most usually a triangle) touches an outer edge (almost invariably the hoist edge) of a flag – see ‘offset towards’ and its following note b) (also ‘hoist’ and ‘triangle’).

National Flag of Cuba

SHIFTED TOWARDS

See ‘offset towards’ and ‘shifted to’.

Flag of Grande Comore, Comoros

SHIPPING (or SHIPPING COMPANY) HOUSE FLAG (or PENNANT)

See ‘house flag 1)’.

House Flag of Altaras, Caune & Cie, France

SHIP’S CREST

In British Royal Navy usage and in some others, a traditional term for the badge of an individual warship – see ‘rope grommet’ (also ‘badge 3)’, ‘emblem, military and governmental/departmental’ and ‘military crest’).

Flag showing the Ship’s Badge/Crest of HMS Gloucester 1975

SHOULDER PATCH

See ‘flag patch’.

Shoulder/Flag Patch of the Bolivian Navy 1966–2009

SHUTTLE

See ‘weaver's shuttle’.

Flag of Zetel, Germany