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.
A person who studi ...
for a
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 ...
design that places 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 ...
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, also known as Switzerland or the Swiss Confederacy, was a loose confederation of independent small states (, German or ), initially within the Holy Roman Empire. It is the precursor of the modern state of Switzerlan ...
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 were a powerful infantry force constituting professional soldiers originating from the cantons of the Old Swiss Confederacy. They were notable for their service in foreign armies, especially among the military forces of th ...
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