Flag FAQ's

Pennant House has had some interesting flag questions over the years, some of which our team of vexillologists have answered below.

What is a "Flag of Convenience" ?
A "Flag of Convenience" is a national flag of a particular country flown by a foreign ship that is registered there. This practice is often done to take advantage of lesser costs and legal complications.

What is the correct meaning of the term "Jack" ?
A Jack is a small national flag flown on a ship's bow to indicate the nationality of the vessel.

Do you know the meaning of the word "Ensign" ?
An Ensign is a national flag flown on a ship's stern. However, a nation may have civil ensigns such as Australia's blue, maritime red and a naval ensign for war ships.

What does it mean to fly the Australian Flag upside-down ?
To fly the Australian flag upside-down indicates a distress signal.

What is a Burgee?
Pennant House makes thousands of Yacht Club Burgees. Sturdy little pennants that denote the club a particular launch or yacht belongs with. They usually fly from the stay but there doesn't seem to be a positive rule. Larger versions of the club burgee are flown by officers of the clubs such as the Commodore, Vice Commodore etc. The Yacht Club's buy in bulk and on-sell burgees to their members.