&sq=&lang=&file=File:Government_Ensign_of_the_United_Kingdom.svg)
The British Blue Ensign
&sq=&lang=&file=File:Flag_of_Australia_(converted).svg)
The flag of Australia, a defaced British Blue Ensign
&sq=&lang=&file=File:Flag_of_Hong_Kong_(1959%E2%80%931997).svg)
The former flag of Hong Kong (1959–1997), a defaced British Blue Ensign
&sq=&lang=&file=File:Flag_of_Indonesia.svg)
The bicolor flag of Indonesia
&sq=&lang=&file=File:Flag_of_Singapore.svg)
The flag of Singapore, a defaced Indonesian bicolor flag
&sq=&lang=&file=File:Flag_of_Colombia.svg)
The tricolor flag of Colombia
&sq=&lang=&file=File:Flag_of_Ecuador.svg)
The flag of Ecuador, a defaced Colombian tricolor flag
&sq=&lang=&file=File:Civil_flag_of_Serbia.svg)
The tricolor flag of Serbia
&sq=&lang=&file=File:Flag_of_Montenegro_(1905%E2%80%931918).svg)
The former flag of Montenegro (1905–1918), a defaced Serbian tricolor flag
In vexillology, defacement is the addition of a symbol or charge to a flag.[1][2][3] For example, the Australian 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.