Ensign (flag)

This article is about the flag. For other uses, see Ensign.
National civil ensign of New Zealand flown from the stern of Hikitia

An ensign is a maritime flag that is used for the national identification of a ship.[1] It is the largest flag and is generally flown at the stern (rear) of the ship while in port. Depending on the ship's origin, it may sometimes be identical with a jack on the bow of the ship when in a port. Jacks are more common on warships than on merchant ships.

  1. ^ "Ensign". Oxford Dictionaries. Archived from the original on July 27, 2012.