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Dictionary of Vexillology: C (Cable Number - Campaign)

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CABLE NUMBER
CABLED
CABLED (or CABLE) CROSS
CABOSHED (CABOSSED or CABOOCHED)
CADENCY, MARK(S) OF
CADUCEUS
CALATRAVA CROSS
CALL SIGN
CALL SIGN HOIST
CALVARY CROSS (or CALVARY)
CALTRAP (CALTROP or CALTHROP)
CAMBRIDGE FLAG
CAMP COLOUR (or COLOR)
CAMP FLAG
CAMP SILK
CAMPAIGN

CABLE NUMBER

A code number identifying a precise shade of colour in the system developed by the Color Association of the United States, usually associated with a specific name, and used in the official specifications of US government and military flags - for example, the official specification for the Stars and Stripes require: Cable No. 70180. Old Glory Red, Cable No. 70001, White and Cable No. 70075, Old Glory Blue.

US National Flag and Flag of the State of Wyoming, US both showing Cable Nos. 70180, 70001 and 70075 (fotw)

CABLED

The term for a charge, particularly an anchor, that is shown complete with its cable – but see ‘foul anchor’ (also ‘charge’).

From left: Flag of the Minister of Defence, Uruguay (fotw); Naval Jack of Ecuador (fotw); Flag of Melide, Switzerland (fotw); Flag of a Fleet Commander 1960–1963, Taiwan (fotw)

CABLED CROSS

See ‘roped cross’.

(Seiyaku.com)

CABOSHED (CABOSSED or CABOOCHED)

See ‘appendix V’.
When an animal's head is borne full-faced and with no part of the neck visible - cabossed or cabooched.

Flag of Uri, Switerland (fotw)

CADENCY, MARK(S) OF

A heraldic term for the mark of difference added to an escutcheon to indicate that the bearer is heir to the owner, or a direct descendent of the family to which the primary coat of arms belongs, or that the person is a member of a related branch of the same family – differencing.

Please note however, that the form these marks take may vary from country to country – for example – the cadency label is used on several British royal banners in deference to (although not in strict accordance with) English heraldic practice, whilst traditional Scottish heraldry is more likely to employ a bordure and other European traditions may change the colour of a charge. It is suggested therefore, that a suitable glossary or heraldic dictionary be consulted for further details (see also ‘armorial bearings’, ‘coat of arms’, ‘label 2)’ and ‘shield’).

The cadency marks of the 1st to the 6th son in English heraldry (Parker)

CADUCEUS

The magic wand or rod of Hermes/Mercury (patron of commerce) with two serpents wound around a winged staff; formerly also a symbol of the occult and of alchemists (amongst others), it is now more often (although by no means exclusively) associated with medical institutions – the staff of Hermes or of Mercury (see also ‘Staff of Asclepius’).

From left: Flag of the Army Surgeon General and Emblem of the Army Medical Corps, US (fotw); Flag of the Head of State Tax Administration, Ukraine (fotw); Arms and Flag of Fafe, Portugal (Klaus-Michael Schneider)

Please note that this should not be confused with the Staff of Asclepius as referenced above, which has only one snake on an unadorned staff and is symbolic of the medical profession.

CALATRAVA CROSS

See ‘cross of Calatrava’

Putative Banner of the Order of Calatrava, Spain (fotw)

CALL SIGN

Every vessel at sea is allocated an international call sign consisting of at least four letters for identification purposes by any means of signalling available, including flags – see ‘call sign hoist’ below.

Please note that the current international call sign is made up of two letters identifying the country of registration and additional flags identifying the particular ship ship – but see ‘make her number’. Most navies also prescribe tactical call signs according to their own naval signal codes and which is used intra-service for operational purposes. Warships also generally hoist their international call signs at the yardarm when entering or leaving harbour (see also ‘yardarm’).

CALL SIGN HOIST

A hoist of signal flags displaying the international call sign of a civil or naval vessel – but see ‘make her number’ (also 'address group', 'call sign', ‘signal hoist’, ‘international code of signal flags’, ‘pendant number’ and ‘signal flag’).

NZAD (November-Zulu-Alpha-Delta) in the International Code of Signal Flags and the Call Sign Hoist of USS Blair (fotw)

CALTRAP (CALTROP or CALTHROP)

The heraldic term for a three or four-armed (usually but not invariably faceted) figure that represents an implement of war consisting of four spikes which, when thrown on the ground, always has one point facing upwards, and designed to injure men and/or horses – a caltrop, calthrop, cheval-trap or galtrap (see also ‘faceted’).

Example: First Captain’s Colour, Green Trayned Band, London England c1642 (CS); Standard of the Earl of Perth, Scotland (geocities.com)

CALVARY CROSS (or CALVARY)

See ‘cross of Calvary’ in ‘appendix VIII’.

Arms and Flag of Atalaia e Alto Estanqueiro-Jardia, Portugal (fotw)

CAMBRIDGE FLAG

See ‘continental colours’.

Cambridge Flag/Continental Colours 1775 – 1777, US (fotw)

CAMP COLOUR (or COLOR)

1) An alternative term for a company colour in some regiments of British and Canadian foot guards (but see also ‘company colour’ and note below).

2) See ‘camp flag’.

3) A term, now largely obsolete, for a small military flag originally used to delineate the boundaries of a regiment's encampment and later used in some armies as a company guide flag, to mark turning points in manoeuvring troops (but see also ‘fanion 3)’).

Camp/Company Colour, No 2 Company, Governor General’s Foot Guards, Canada (Official Website)

Please note with regard to 1) that as far as is known this term is used by the British Grenadier Guards, the Grenadier Guards of Canada and the Governor General’s Foot Guards (also Canada) in place of company colour.

CAMP FLAG

In the British and some other army usage, a non-ceremonial flag, often containing the relevant badge against regimental colours, and used to indicate the presence of a unit, Corps or Regiment, or the position of their headquarters, within a camp or other location – a regimental, unit or headquarters flag (see also ‘badge 3)’, ‘emblem military and governmental/departmental’ and ‘regimental colours 2)’).

The Army Air Corps, UK (Graham Bartram); The Royal Regiment of Artillery, UK (Graham Bartram); The Training and Development Branch, Canada (fotw); The Corps of Royal Engineers, UK (Graham Bartram)

CAMP SILK

See ‘camp colour 1)’ and ‘company colour’.

CAMPAIGN

1) A series of events which are designed to achieve a specific goal or goals – for example the campaign to adopt a flag (see also ‘flag design competition’).
2) In heraldry a word occasionally seen in place of the English term base – see ‘base 1)’ (also ‘in base’).

Arms and Flag of Madalena, Portugal (fotw)

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