Banner

A can be a  or other piece of cloth bearing a symbol, logo, slogan or other message. A flag whose design is the same as the shield in a (but usually in a square or rectangular shape) is called a.

is an ancient craft. Church banners commonly portray the saint to whom the church is dedicated.

The word derives from baniere (modern bannière), from Late Latin bandum, which was borrowed from a  source (compare 𐌱𐌰𐌽𐌳𐍅𐌰). include bandiera,  bandeira, and  bandera.

Vexillum
The vexillum was a flag-like object used as a standard by units in the  army.

The word vexillum itself is a diminutive of the Latin velum, meaning a sail, which confirms the historical evidence (from coins and sculpture) that vexilla were literally “little sails” i.e. flag-like standards. In the vexillum the cloth was draped from a horizontal crossbar suspended from the staff; this is unlike most modern flags in which the ‘hoist’ of the cloth is attached directly to the vertical.

Heraldic banners
A heraldic banner, also called a, displays the basic only:  it shows the design usually displayed on the shield and omits the crest, helmet or coronet, mantling, supporters, motto or any other elements associated with the full  (for further details of these elements, see ). A heraldic banner is usually square or rectangular.

A distinction exists between the heraldic banner and the. The distinction, however, is often misunderstood or ignored. For example, the is in fact a banner of the royal arms.

Banners in Christianity


In the, the  was commanded to raise a banner and exalt his voice. received a similar order to write a vision upon tables that could be read by one who runs past it.

Banners in churches have, in the past, been used mainly for, both inside and outside of the church building. However, the emphasis has, in recent years, shifted markedly towards the permanent or transient display of banners on walls or pillars of churches and other places of worship. A famous example of large banners on display is, where the banners are designed by a resident artist.

Banners are also used to communicate the of Jesus Christ by  and public ministers engaged in.

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