Defacement (flag)

The British Blue Ensign

The flag of New Zealand, a defaced British Blue Ensign

The flag of Indonesia

The flag of Singapore, a defaced Indonesian flag

The flag of Colombia

The flag of Ecuador, a defaced Colombian flag

In vexillology, defacement is the addition of a symbol or charge to a flag.^[1]^[2]^[3] For example, the New Zealand flag is the British Blue Ensign defaced with a Southern Cross in the fly.

In the context of vexillology, the word "deface" carries no negative connotations, in contrast to general usage. It simply indicates a differentiation of the flag from that of another owner by addition of elements. For example, many state flags are formed by defacing the national flag with a coat of arms.

^ Smith, Whitney (1975). Flags: Through the Ages and Around the World. New York: McGraw Hill. p. 14. ISBN 0-07-059093-1. DEFACE: To add a BADGE to an existing flag
^ "Deface". Dictionary of Vexillology. Flags of the World.
^ "Deface". Illustrated Dictionary of Vexillological Terms. North American Vexillological Association. Archived from the original on March 1, 2012.

[1] Smith, Whitney (1975). Flags: Through the Ages and Around the World. New York: McGraw Hill. p. 14. ISBN 0-07-059093-1. DEFACE: To add a BADGE to an existing flag

[2] "Deface". Dictionary of Vexillology. Flags of the World.

[3] "Deface". Illustrated Dictionary of Vexillological Terms. North American Vexillological Association. Archived from the original on March 1, 2012.

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