Avexilloid is any flag-like (vexillary) object used by countries, organisations, or individuals as a form of representation other thanflags. AmericanvexillologistWhitney Smith coined the termvexilloid in 1958, defining it as

An object which functions as a flag but differs from it in some respect, usually appearance. Vexilloids are characteristic of traditional societies and often consist of astaff with an emblem, such as a carved animal, at the top.

This includesvexilla,banderoles,pennons, streamers,heraldic flags, standards, andgonfalons.^[1] Examples include theSassanid battle standardDerafsh Kaviani, and the standards of theRoman legions such as theeagle ofAugustus Caesar'sXth legion and thedragon standard of theSarmatians; the latter was allowed to fly freely in the wind, carried by a horseman, but depictions suggest that it bore more similarity to an elongateddragon kite than to a simple flag.^[2]

The use of flags replaced the use of vexilloids for general purposes during latemedieval times between about 1100 to about 1400. However, vexilloids still remain in use for specialised purposes, such as for somemilitary units or to symbolise various organisations such asfraternal organisation in street parades.^[2]

Vexilloids originally started as astaff of office for leaders of groups, such as tribes, and were also used as a visible sign to rally around or point to a direction of attack. They were originally made of wood, horns, tails, hooves, and skins of animals, with other ornaments being made of carved and painted wood or metal. Aztec vexilloids were composed of green quetzal feathers, metals such as gold, and precious stones. Modern vexilloids used by tribes of New Guinea are made of wood, dried grass and feathers, and emblems painted on wood, feathers, and cloth.^[3]

The oldest known vexilloids appear as depictions on Egyptian pottery from theGerzeh culture and on the reverse of theNarmer Palette. These vexilloids were symbols of thenomes of pre-dynastic Egypt. The oldest surviving vexilloid was carried in Persia around 5,000 years ago. It consists of a metal staff topped with an eagle, and a square of metal covered with reliefs. Two vexilloids are depicted on theVictory Stele of Naram-Sin. InAlaca Höyük, archaeologists have discovered Hittite vexilloids dating from c.2400–2200 BCE, havingfinials depicting bulls, stags, as well as abstract forms often interpreted as solar symbols.^[3]

Ancient Greek armies used avexillum-like banners, such as the so-calledphoinikis, a cloth of deep red, suspended from the top of a staff or spear. It is not known to have carried any device or decoration though.

Ancient Romans adopted the use of vexilloids, as well as theireagle emblem, from the Persians. The standards of Roman legions consisted of a lance with a silver-plated shaft, topped with a crosspiece carrying figures of various beasts, the most important being the eagle. Attached to the shaft were several metal rings which took the form of laurel wreaths and medallions with images of gods, the Emperor, and members of the Imperial House.^[3]

Ancient Mongolians also used vexilloids in the form of a staff topped with a metal ball or spearhead, with a horse's tail attached to it. This vexilloid, called atug, spread among Turkish people and became military symbols in Turkish forces. In the 17th and 18th centuries they were carried before commanders-in-chief of the Polish Army.^[3]

• TheAchaemenid Empire used a stylisedfalcon on its vexilloid.
• The vexilloid ofAlexander the Great'sMacedonian Empire displayed theVergina Sun.
• TheGreco-Bactrian Kingdom has anElephant as their symbol.
• TheIndo-Greek Kingdom has TheBuddhist Triratna as their symbol.
• TheIndo-Scythians has aLion or aLeopard standing right as their symbol.
• The vexilloid of TheIndo-Parthian Kingdom is likely pretty similar to The Parthian Sun and it is related with The Derafsh Kaviani.
• The vexilloid of TheKushan Empire is suspended on the point of aSpear orTrident
• The symbol of theMauryan Empire was theAshoka Chakra.
• TheGupta Empire has TheGaruda as their symbol.
• The vexilloid ofAncient Carthage most probably consisted of a spear with a disk and crescent (points upwards), symbolising the godBaal (sun = disk) and the goddessTanit (moon = crescent).^[4]
• ThePtolemaic Kingdom has TheEagle of Zeus as their symbol.
• Thevexillum ofAncient Rome displayed the sloganS·P·Q·R (senātus populusque Rōmānus), "The Roman Senate and People", ingold on a field ofcrimson.
• TheSassanian Empire, which is calledEran Shahr (Aryan Empire) inMiddle Persian,^[5] used lotus symbol on its vexilloid, which is called theDerafsh Kaviani.^[6][7]

• Thetugh of Central Asian and Turkic peoples of the pre-Ottoman and Ottoman periods.
• The vexilloid of theMongol Empire, the "Yöson Khölt tsagaan tug" (Mongolian:Есөн хөлт цагаан туг) or the "Nine Base White Banners", was composed of nine flag poles decorated with nineoff-white horse tail hairs hanging from a round surface with a flame ortrident-like shape on the top at the centre. The Nine White Banners was a peacetime emblem used by theKhan in front of his yurt. Thewar flag of the Mongol Empire was the same as the banner at right, except the horse tails wereoff-black instead of off-white as they were cut from black instead of white horses.
• Heraldic flags are forms of vexilloids with designs based onheraldry, a famous example being theOriflamme of France.
• TheChola empire had thetiger as their symbol and flag.

• TheFrench Imperial Eagle was a figure of an eagle on a staff carried into battle by theGrande Armée ofNapoleon during theNapoleonic Wars.
• InNazi Germany, also referred to as theThird Reich, theSS used vexilloids which they marched with in street parades and at theNuremberg rallies. These vexilloids were topped with aneagle and aswastika and with the name of the particular locale of the SS contingent carrying the vexilloids. Inscribed on them was the sloganDeutschland Erwache, which meansGermany Awake.^[8][9]
• Individuals createfestival totems of various designs on top of extendable staffs to identify themselves in disorienting crowds at music festivals.^[10]

• Smith, Whitney (1975).Flags Through the Ages and Across the World. New York: McGraw-Hill.ISBN 0-07-059093-1.

• Entry on Vexilloids in the Flags of the World website:

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• Vexillology
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• Types of flags

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