Civil ensign
A civil ensign is an
Most countries have only one national flag and ensign for all purposes. In other countries, a distinction is made between the land flag and the civil, state and naval ensigns. The British ensigns, for example, differ from the flag used on land (the Union Flag) and have different versions of plain and defaced Red and Blue ensigns for civilian and state use, as well as the naval ensign (White Ensign) that can also be used by yachts of the Royal Yacht Squadron.
Countries having specific civil ensigns
The civil ensigns that are different from the general national flag can be grouped into a number of categories.
Civil ensigns with the national flag in the canton
Several countries use red flags with, in most cases, either the respective national flag or the Union Flag in the
Sovereign states
British overseas territories and crown dependencies
Civil ensigns that vary greatly from the national flag
Several countries have civil ensigns that are very different from the national flag.
The Philippines (inland only)
Civil ensigns consisting of the national flag with an additional emblem
Well-known examples are the Italian civil ensign showing the shield with the arms of the sea republics, and the Polish civil ensign with the arms of Poland. Most of these emblems were added to distinguish the ensign from similar flags of other countries (e.g. Colombia/Ecuador) or from other signal flags (e.g. Malta/ H signal flag).
United States (Yacht ensign; unofficial)
Spain (Yacht ensign)
Civil ensigns that are simplified national flags with coat of arms removed
In several countries (such as Spain and much of Hispanic America, and some European countries), there are two main versions of the flag, a simpler one (usually a striped flag) and a more elaborate one with the national arms. The simpler one is used as a civil ensign (and in most cases also as a civil flag), whereas the version with the arms is mainly used by the government and the military. In El Salvador, the civil ensign also differs from the national flag in the proportions.
Civil ensigns differing from the national flag in the proportions
Several former British colonies use 1:2 as a proportion for their ensigns and 3:5 for flags ashore, whereas Slovenia, Croatia and Hungary have it the other way around, with ensigns at 2:3 and flags ashore at 1:2. France is a special case: the overall proportion is the same, but the bands on the ensign differ in width slightly.
Former civil ensigns no longer in current use or obsolete
India
(1880-1947)Iran
(1910-1980)Ireland
(1701-1801)Ireland
(1801-1922)Italy
(1861–1946)Mecklenburg-Schwerin
(1863-1918)Montenegro
(1905-1918)Newfoundland
(1904-1949)Prussia
(1823–1863)Serbia
(1835-1882)Serbia
(1882-1918)Serbia
(2006-2010)South Africa
(1910-1912)South Africa
(1912-1951)Spain
(1785–1927)Spain
(1931–1939)Venezuela
(1930–2006)Yugoslavia
(1919-1943)National flag Yugoslavia
(1950–1992)Yugoslavia and later Serbia and Montenegro
(1992-2006)See also
Remarks
- ^ The Australian national flag is also used for smaller ships.
- ^ The UAE national flag is also reported as civil ensign.
- Pitcairn Islands and Saint Helena.
- ^ The red ensign, also the national flag, is an appropriate civil ensign for vessels registered on the Bermuda portion of the British Register, by virtue of the Bermuda Merchant Shipping Act of 2002.
- ^ The Moroccan national flag is also reported as civil ensign.
- ^ The circled X is replaced with the club emblem.
- ^ Previously used by West Germany prior to German Reunification in 1990.
- ^ The square flag is used on most rivers and lakes.
- ^ Since German Reunification, flag continues to be used as Germany's national flag & civil ensign.