Standard-bearer
Encyclopedia
A standard-bearer is a person (soldier or civilian) who bears an emblem called an ensign
or standard, i.e. either a type of flag
or an inflexible but mobile image, which is used (and often honour
ed) as a formal, visual symbol of a state
, prince
, military unit, etc.
This can either be an occasional duty, often seen as an honour (especially on parade), or a permanent charge (also on the battle-field); the second type has even lead in certain cases to this task being reflected in official rank titles such as Ensign
and Cornet
.
Many terms exist, often specifying the type of standard borne (in various cases named in parentheses after the bearer).
Cfr. also :
Ensign
An ensign is a national flag when used at sea, in vexillology, or a distinguishing token, emblem, or badge, such as a symbol of office in heraldry...
or standard, i.e. either a type of flag
Flag
A flag is a piece of fabric with a distinctive design that is usually rectangular and used as a symbol, as a signaling device, or decoration. The term flag is also used to refer to the graphic design employed by a flag, or to its depiction in another medium.The first flags were used to assist...
or an inflexible but mobile image, which is used (and often honour
Honour
Honour or honor is an abstract concept entailing a perceived quality of worthiness and respectability that affects both the social standing and the self-evaluation of an individual or corporate body such as a family, school, regiment or nation...
ed) as a formal, visual symbol of a state
Sovereign state
A sovereign state, or simply, state, is a state with a defined territory on which it exercises internal and external sovereignty, a permanent population, a government, and the capacity to enter into relations with other sovereign states. It is also normally understood to be a state which is neither...
, prince
Prince
Prince is a general term for a ruler, monarch or member of a monarch's or former monarch's family, and is a hereditary title in the nobility of some European states. The feminine equivalent is a princess...
, military unit, etc.
This can either be an occasional duty, often seen as an honour (especially on parade), or a permanent charge (also on the battle-field); the second type has even lead in certain cases to this task being reflected in official rank titles such as Ensign
Ensign (rank)
Ensign is a junior rank of a commissioned officer in the armed forces of some countries, normally in the infantry or navy. As the junior officer in an infantry regiment was traditionally the carrier of the ensign flag, the rank itself acquired the name....
and Cornet
Cornet (military rank)
Cornet was originally the third and lowest grade of commissioned officer in a British cavalry troop, after captain and lieutenant. A cornet is a new and junior officer.- Traditional duties :The cornet carried the troop standard, also known as a "cornet"....
.
Many terms exist, often specifying the type of standard borne (in various cases named in parentheses after the bearer).
Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantine
- Aetos
- AquiliferAquiliferAn aquilifer was a senior signifer bearing the eagle standard of a Roman legion. The name derives from the type of standard, aquila meaning "eagle", which was the universal type used since 104 BC. Before that time, the wolf, boar, bull and horse were also used...
(AquilaAquila (Roman)The Aquila was the eagle standard of a Roman legion, carried by a special grade legionary known as an Aquilifer. One eagle standard was carried by each legion.-History:...
) - Bandifer (Bandum)
- Discens aquilifer(or)um, - signiferorum : trainee
- Draconarius (Draco, 'dragon) - one of them could be selected Optio Draconarius; ... Bearcus Draconarius ...
- Imiginifer (Imago) ?5 original images : Aper = boar, Equus = horse, Minotaur(us), ?Tabula ansata : winged boar, Taurus = bull ...
- Ornithoboros
- Semaforus < Semaphoros (Semion?)
- SigniferSigniferA signifer was a standard bearer of the Roman legions. He carried a signum for a cohort or century. Each century had a signifer and within each cohort the first century's signifer would be the senior....
(Signum) - one of them could be selected as Signifer princeps - Tablifer - guards cavalry (?Tabula ansata : winged boar)
- Vexillifer (Vexillum)
Cfr. also :
- Adiutor signorum
- Aedes
- Antesignanus
- Aquilae natalis
- Deposita ad signa
- Labarum
- Postsignanus
- Vexillatio
Olympic
- Flagbearer at the Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the Olympic GamesOlympic GamesThe Olympic Games is a major international event featuring summer and winter sports, in which thousands of athletes participate in a variety of competitions. The Olympic Games have come to be regarded as the world’s foremost sports competition where more than 200 nations participate...
is the athlete who carries the flagFlagA flag is a piece of fabric with a distinctive design that is usually rectangular and used as a symbol, as a signaling device, or decoration. The term flag is also used to refer to the graphic design employed by a flag, or to its depiction in another medium.The first flags were used to assist...
for their countryCountryA country is a region legally identified as a distinct entity in political geography. A country may be an independent sovereign state or one that is occupied by another state, as a non-sovereign or formerly sovereign political division, or a geographic region associated with a previously...
.
Feudal
- ChorążyChorążyChorąży or Khorunzhyi is a military rank in Poland, Ukraine and some neighboring countries. A chorąży was once a knight who bore a standard — the emblem of an armed troop, a province , a land , a duchy, or the kingdom...
- GonfaloniereGonfaloniereThe Gonfaloniere was a highly prestigious communal post in medieval and Renaissance Italy, notably in Florence and the Papal States. The name derives from gonfalone, the term used for the banners of such communes....
(Gonfalon) - Porte Oriflamme
- Bearer of the Royal BannerBearer of the Royal BannerTbe Bearer of the Royal Banner is one of the Great Officers of the Royal Household in Scotland.In 1298 Alexander Scrymgeour was granted the office of Constable of Dundee for the service of carrying the royal banner in the army of Scotland, and in 1324 Robert I granted Alexander's son, Nicholas...
- Bearer of the National Flag of ScotlandBearer of the National Flag of ScotlandThe Bearer of the National Flag of Scotland is one of the Great Officers in the Royal Household of Scotland.By charter of novodamus of 1676, later ratified by the Parliament of Scotland, Charles II granted Charles Maitland "the office of bearing our insignia within our said realm of Scotland"...
Modern
- Calvin Pearl TitusCalvin Pearl TitusCalvin Pearl Titus , a soldier of the United States Army, was the last American standard-bearer. He received the Medal of Honor for his actions during the Battle of Peking of the Boxer Rebellion.-Biography:...
, the last American standard bearer and Medal of HonorMedal of HonorThe Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
recipient
- Prince Henry Sixtus of Borbon ParmaSixto Enrique de BorbónPrince Sixtus Henry of Bourbon-Parma is considered Regent of Spain by some Carlists who accord him the titles Duke of Aranjuez, Infante of Spain, and Standard-bearer of Tradition.-Early life:...
is considered by many Carlists to be the Standard Bearer of tradition.