A private signal is a custom-designed

flag A flag is a piece of textile, fabric (most often rectangular) with distinctive colours and design. It is used as a symbol, a signalling device, or for decoration. The term ''flag'' is also used to refer to the graphic design employed, and fla ...

used to symbolize and identify the owner of a

boat A boat is a watercraft of a large range of types and sizes, but generally smaller than a ship, which is distinguished by its larger size or capacity, its shape, or its ability to carry boats. Small boats are typically used on inland waterways s ...

. They generally have a swallowtail shape but may instead be rectangular or sometimes triangular. Private signal tradition is drawn from

heraldry Heraldry is a discipline relating to the design, display and study of armorial bearings (known as armory), as well as related disciplines, such as vexillology, together with the study of ceremony, Imperial, royal and noble ranks, rank and genealo ...

but typically does not incorporate as intricate designs as a

coat of arms A coat of arms is a heraldry, heraldic communication design, visual design on an escutcheon (heraldry), escutcheon (i.e., shield), surcoat, or tabard (the last two being outer garments), originating in Europe. The coat of arms on an escutcheon f ...

Etiquette

A private signal may be hoisted while underway and at anchor, day or night, but not while racing. Power boats fly the owners' private signal at the top of the main-mast head or from a short staff on the bow called a bow staff. On a

sailboat A sailboat or sailing boat is a boat propelled partly or entirely by sails and is smaller than a sailing ship. Distinctions in what constitutes a sailing boat and ship vary by region and maritime culture. Types Although sailboat terminology ...

the private signal is flown using a pig stick hoisted to the top of the main-mast or mizzen-mast.

History

From as far back as 4000 BC, Egyptian captains of the Nile would identify themselves to passing ships by placing a clay figurine atop their ships’ aftermost cabin. The Romans used private signals quite often. At sea off Marseilles in 49 BC, the famous Roman Decimus Brutus hoisted his private signal during the

Siege of Massilia The siege of Massilia, including two naval engagements, was an episode of Caesar's Civil War Caesar's civil war (49–45 BC) was a civil war during the late Roman Republic between two factions led by Julius Caesar and Pompey. The main cau ...

. Primary documents say the Massilians recognized his “flamboyant” signal, so his ship narrowly escaped being rammed simultaneously by two

trireme A trireme ( ; ; cf. ) was an ancient navies and vessels, ancient vessel and a type of galley that was used by the ancient maritime civilizations of the Mediterranean Sea, especially the Phoenicians, ancient Greece, ancient Greeks and ancient R ...

s. In the Middle Ages private signals were used extensively at sea. The Bayeux Tapestry of 1150 AD shows ''Mora'', the ship of William, Duke of Normandy, as it flew a white banner, bordered in blue and bearing a golden cross. Other knights in the tapestry boast their own private signals.

Gallery

Examples of private signals flown in the United States: File:Personal Burgee of Thatcher Stone.jpg, Personal burgee of Thatcher Stone File:Personal Burgee of Brierley.gif, Personal burgee of Brierley File:Personal Burgee of Brady Brim-DeForest.gif, Personal burgee of Brady Brim-DeForest

References

{{Reflist Types of flags Maritime culture Maritime flags