Flammé (German ''geflammt'') is a term in
vexillology
Vexillology ( ) is the study of the history, symbolism and usage of flags or, by extension, any interest in flags in general.Smith, Whitney. ''Flags Through the Ages and Across the World'' New York: McGraw-Hill, 1975. Print. The word is a synth ...
for a
flag
A flag is a piece of fabric (most often rectangular or quadrilateral) with a distinctive design and colours. It is used as a symbol, a signalling device, or for decoration. The term ''flag'' is also used to refer to the graphic design emp ...
design that places a
coat of arms
A coat of arms is a heraldic visual design on an escutcheon (i.e., shield), surcoat, or tabard (the latter two being outer garments). The coat of arms on an escutcheon forms the central element of the full heraldic achievement, which in it ...
in the center of the flag, filling the remaining space on the flag with flame-like designs.
The design was used specifically in the
Old Swiss Confederacy
The Old Swiss Confederacy or Swiss Confederacy ( Modern German: ; historically , after the Reformation also , "Confederation of the Swiss") was a loose confederation of independent small states (, German or In the charters of the 14th century ...
during the 17th and 18th centuries, where there was no difference between coat of arms and flags, and the same design was used for both.
Regiments of
Swiss mercenaries
The Swiss mercenaries (german: Reisläufer) were a powerful infantry force constituted by professional soldiers originating from the cantons of the Old Swiss Confederacy. They were notable for their service in foreign armies, especially among ...
during the 18th century, especially those
in French service, often used ''flammé'' designs with the
Swiss Cross superimposed rather than a coat of arms.
References
*Peter M. Mäder,
*Michel Rochat, ''Drapeaux flammés des Régiments suisses au Service de France'', Delachaux & Niestlé SA, Lausanne, 1994, .
{{DEFAULTSORT:Flamme (vexillology)
Flags by design
Military history of Switzerland