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Dictionary of Vexillology: S (Scallop Shell – Scythian Cap)

Last modified: 2025-04-12 by martin karner
Keywords: vexillological terms |
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SCALLOP SHELL
In heraldry see ‘escallop’.

[Scallops]
Flag of Morissen, Switzerland

SCALLOPED
1) (adj) Where the edges of a flag are cut into repeated semi-circular shapes – an indented edge.
2) (adj) The term may also be used when the top edge of a shield is seen with two (or more) semi-circular cut-outs – but see the note below (also ‘shield’).

[indented edge example] [scalloped shield] [indented edge example]
Example; Two Merchant Flags, Portugal 16th/17th century

Please note that in heraldry a division line within a shield or banner of arms is not scalloped, but is either engrailed or invected – see ‘engrailed’ and ‘invected’.

SCANDINAVIAN CROSS
A cross with arms of equal width, whose horizontal arm runs along the centre of the flag, but whose vertical arm is off-centred towards the hoist – a Nordic cross – but see the note below (also ‘splitflag 1)’ and ‘splitflag 2)’).

[Scandinavian cross] [Scandinavian cross] [Scandinavian cross]
National Flag of Denmark; National Arms of Iceland; National Flag of Norway

Please note that this term should only be used for those flags which are from, or have a connection with the Scandinavian region (such as that of the Shetland Islands), otherwise see ‘off-centred cross 2)’

SCANDINAVIAN-TYPE (or SCANDINAVIAN-STYLE) CROSS
See ‘off-centred cross 2)’.

Scandinavian-type cross
Flag of Saar 1947–1956, Germany

SCARF (or SCARVES)
The heraldic term for a (or the) small ecclesiastical banner (or banners) fixed to the top of a bishop’s crosier (see also ‘banderole’), ‘crozier’ and ’stringed’).

[scarf example] [scarf example] [Svetla]
Flag of Samotišky, Czechia; Flag of Opatovice, Czechia; Flag of Světlá, Czechia

SCEPTRE (or SCEPTER)
An ornamental rod or wand, and originally symbolic of a monarch’s temporal power (see also ‘crown’ and ‘orb’).

[Sceptre] [Sceptre] [Sceptre]
Honour Flag c1860, Austria/Hungary; National Arms of Montenegro; Flag of Kareli, Georgia

SCEPTRE FLEURY
See baton(s) fleury

[Sceptre fleury]
Flag of Thusis, Switzerland

SCHELLENBAUM
See 'tugh 1)’ and its following note.

[Schellenbaum]
Source: National Music Museum, used with permission

SCHWEBENDES TATZENKREUZ
The German term covering a cross pattée – see cross pattée (also cross-couped).

Cross pattee
House Flag of Christoph Lamprecht, Germany

SCHWENKEL
1) A type of flag, now obsolete, which shows a strip along its top edge that extends beyond the fly to become a tongue (see also ‘engrailed fly’, 'palm', ‘square-tongued’, ‘stepped fly’ and ‘tongue(s) 1)’).
2) A form of flag where a triangular tongue extends from the upper fly corner of the flag – but see note a) below.
3) The tail or tongue as described above.

[Schwenkel]  Tetouan, Morocco schwenkel  
Flag of Zurich c1400, Switzerland; Flag of Tetouan, Morocco 1968–1976; Flag of Beni Mellal, Morocco 1968–1976

Notes
a) With regard to 2), the Editors suggest that the term "tongue" (as referenced above) should be used where this projection forms an integral part of the flag as referenced above and illustrated below.
b) Definition 3) is based upon the original German, this term refers only to the tail.

Wloclawek, Poland
Flag of Wloclawek City, Poland

SCIMITAR
The term for an oriental sword with a single-edged curved blade and plain cross guard, whose blade is often seen widening from hilt to tip – but see ‘sabre’ and its following note.

scimitar scimitar scimitar
Flag of Middlesex, UK; Flag of Virovitica, Croatia; Standard of Baroda, India, c1939

SCOOP WHEEL
A term for the representation of an animal or engine-driven device for the lifting of water from one level to another (see also ‘waterwheel’ and ‘windmill).

Scoop wheel Scoop wheel Scoop wheel
Flag of Santa Comba, Portugal; Flag of Hausen, Germany; Flag of Bairros, Portugal

SCOTTISH (or SCOTLAND) PENNANT
In UK usage, the terms employed to describe a white trapezoidal pennant with a St Andrew's Cross at its hoist and a white over blue bicolour fly, which may be flown where a flagpole would otherwise be unused – a Scotland Pennant or Pennant of Scotland (see also ‘bicolour 2)’, ‘English pennant’, ‘hoist 1)’, ‘pennant’, ‘St. Andrew's Cross 2)’, ‘trapezoid 2)’, ‘union pennant’, ‘Welsh pennant’ and ‘wimpel 1)’).
SCOTTISH SALTIRE
See ‘St Andrew's Cross 2)’.

Scottish saltire
National flag of Scotland

SCROLL
A usually narrow ribbon of varying length and elaboration; it is normally (but not exclusively) placed below the shield in a set of armorial bearings or an emblem, and is inscribed with a motto or the name of a state or other entity – a ribbon – but see ‘ribbon scroll 2)’ (also ‘Appendix IV’, ‘armorial bearings’, ‘coat of arms’, ‘emblem’ and ‘motto’).

scroll Brunei arms New Jersey
Flag of Juba, South Sudan; The National Emblem of Brunei; The Flag of The State of New Jersey, US

SCYTHIAN CAP
See ‘cap of liberty’.

[Scythian cap flag]
Flag of Pereira, Chile (io9.com)

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