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Biography
Other usesAn ensign is a national flag when used at sea, in vexillology , or a distinguishing token, emblem, or badge, such as a symbol of office in heraldry . The word has also given rise to the military Ensign (rank)|rank of "ensign" , a rank of junior officercite book |last= Znamierowski |page= 31 once responsible for bearing the ensign.
The word is derived from the Latin plural insignia .
National ensigns
In nautical use, the ensign is flown at the stern of a ship or boat to indicate its nationality.cite book |last= Znamierowski |page= 31 |chapter=Types of flags Ensigns may also be flown from the Gaff rig|gaff of a ship, and may be shifted to a yardarm when the ship is under way, where it is known as a steaming ensign . Vexillology|Vexillologists distinguish three varieties of a national flag when used as an ensign:
Many countries do not distinguish between these uses, and employ only one national flag and ensign in all cases. Others (like the United Kingdom , Italy , Russia , South Africa , Australia , New Zealand , and Japan ) use different ensigns. Such ensigns are strictly regulated and indicate if the boat is a warship , a merchant vessel or a yacht , for example.
If a warship goes into battle, large versions of naval ensigns (called battle ensign s) are used.
Heraldic ensigns
Expand section|date=June 2007In heraldry , an ensign is the ornament or sign, such as the crown, coronet, or mitre, borne above the Charge (heraldry)|charge or Coat of arms|arms .Citation needed|date=March 2012
Air ensigns
With the creation of independent air forces and the growth in civil aviation in the first half of the 20th century, a range of distinguishing flags and ensigns were adopted. Such ensigns may be divided into air force ensigns (such as the Royal Air Force Ensign ) and civil air ensigns . Air ensigns are often light blue in colour.cite book |last= Znamierowski |page= 85 |chapter=Air force flags
Notes
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References
cite book
|title= The world encyclopedia of flags : The definitive guide to international flags, banners, standards and ensigns |last= Znamierowski |first= Alfred |year= 2002 |publisher= Hermes House |location= London |isbn= 1-84309-042-2
