A fanion is a small flag used by the French military, equivalent to an American guidon or British company colour. The name derives from the Italian word gonfanone,[1] or gonfanon.[2][3] They were often attached to a small staff which was placed in the muzzle of a rifle.
The regulation sizes were 50 cm x 40 cm for a battalion fanion, 40 x 30 for a company fanion, and 34 x 27 for a platoon fanion (the latter can also be a triangular pennant 30 x 40).[4]
See also
Notes
- ^ James, Charles A New and Enlarged Military Dictionary, or, Alphabetical Explanation of Technical Terms Printed for T. Egerton at the Military Library, 1802
- ^ "GONFANON Meaning (Definition)". Archived from the original on 2012-09-13. Retrieved 2012-05-10.
- ^ p.339 Norris, Herbert Medieval Costume and Fashion Courier Dover Publications, 28/11/1998
- ^ "Pennants of the Algerian Tirailleurs (French Army)". flagspot.net.
External links
The dictionary definition of fanion at Wiktionary
Media related to Fanions of France at Wikimedia Commons
You must be logged in to post a comment.