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Dictionary of Vexillology: B (Budgee Flag - Buss)

Last modified: 2022-07-16 by rob raeside
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BUDGEE FLAG
A late 17th, early 18th Century English/UK naval term, now obsolete, for an ensign that bore a union flag canton rather than a canton with the cross of St George, and before 1707 for use only outside home waters (see also ‘budgee pendant’, ‘privateer jack’ and ‘ensign 1)’).

[budgee flag] [budgee flag]
English Red Ensign c1625 – 1707 Budgee Flag for use outside home waters until 1707, then British Red Ensign 1707 – 1801 (fotw)

Please note that prior to 1707, as far as can be discovered, the budgee flag was invariably a red ensign – see ‘red ensign 2)’.


BUDGEE JACK
See ‘privateer jack’, and for background on the term see also ‘budgee flag’ and ‘budgee pendant’ below.

[budgee jack]
Budgee/Privateer Jack until 1801. UK


BUDGEE PENDANT (or PENNANT)
A late 17th, early 18th Century English/UK naval term, now obsolete, for a red swallow-tailed pennant which bore a union flag rather than the cross of St George at its hoist for use as a pennant of distinction by senior captains in command of a formation of ships outside home waters – a union pendant (see also ‘broad pennant’, ‘budgee flag’, ‘pendant’, ‘pendant of distinction’, ‘privateer jack’, ‘union jack’ and ‘union mark’).

[budgee pendant]
The Budgee Pendant c1700, England (CS)

Notes
a)
As far as is known the budgee pendant had disappeared by 1710
b)
The Editors – whilst no firm evidence could be found – have taken the colour of the pendant’s fly from that of the standard distinction pennant as introduced in 1674.


BUDDHIST FLAG
A flag with a number of variations symbolizing Buddhism, most often (but not invariably) showing five vertical and five horizontal stripes and first raised in 1885 (see also ‘chakra’, ‘prayer flag’, ‘religious flag’ and ‘thangka’).

Buddhist flag  Buddhist flag Buddhist flag 
"Standard" Buddhist Flag (fotw) with those used in Tibet and Myanmar (fotw)


BUDDHIST WHEEL OF LAW
See ‘chakra’).

Buddhist flag
National Flag of Thailand 1782 – 1817 (fotw)


BUFF
In largely (but not exclusively) US usage, a term for that shade of beige, which corresponds to uniform facings worn during the American War of Independence by some general officers and by many line regiments of the Continental infantry.

Southampton, New York, US New Jersey, US Winchester, Virginia, US
Flag of Southampton, New York, US (fotw); Flag of New Jersey, US (fotw); Flag of Winchester, Virginia, US (fotw);  

Notes
a) Buff was also one of the facing colours used by the British army at the time of the American War of Independence – see ‘facing colour’.
b) It is suggested that use of the facings mentioned above could have derived from the buff-coloured (leather) coats worn by both infantry and cavalry in the 17th Century.


BUGLE HORN
The heraldic term that covers any type of traditional, musical horn – a hunting horn or post horn etc. (see also ‘stringed’).

bugle horn bugle horn bugle horn
Flag of Bojanów, Poland (fotw); Flag of Stralendorf, Germany (fotw); Flag of Cornellŕ del Terri, Spain (fotw)


BUILDING SITE FLAG (or BSF)
See ‘logo on a bed sheet’.

Minnesota
Flag of the State of Minnesota, US (fotw)


BUNDESDIENSTFLAGGE
See ‘federal service flag’.

state flag state flag
Budesdienstflaggen/Federal Service Flags of Austria and Germany (fotw)


BULLOCK PENNANT
In 18th Century French naval usage the term, now obsolete, for a red pennant hoisted from the flagship to signal that a ration bullock had just been slaughtered (see also ‘beef flag’, ‘flagship’ and ‘pennant 2)’).

bullock pennant
Conjectural image (Željko Heimer)

Please note, information suggests that this term - a direct translation of the French "flamme de boeuf" - may have ceased after 1792, however, this is not certain.


BUNTINE
An alternative spelling, now largely obsolete, of bunting – see ‘bunting 1)’.

BUNTING
1) Strong, loosely woven cloth used for making flags, originally of cotton and/or wool but sometimes of other fibres, and now largely replaced by synthetic materials materials – buntine, bewper or beaufort (see also ‘breadth 2)’).
2) A series of small, simple flags connected by a line, or a length of gathered decorative fabric, generally in the national colours and usually hung or draped between two anchor points. Often employed when flag usage would be inappropriate or unsuitable (see also ‘fan’, ‘mourning bunting’, ‘national colours’ and ‘rules of respect’).
3) In heraldry a species of bird as a charge.

[bunting] [bunting]


BUNTING TOSSER (or BUNTS)
In British Royal Navy usage and some others, a traditional nickname for those sailors in the signals branch whose duties include the care and hoisting of signal flags, flags of command and ensigns etc. - but see ‘flags 1)’ (also ‘command pennant’, ‘flag locker’, ‘flag of command’, ‘flags 1)’, ‘naval ensign’ under ‘ensign’, ‘signal flag’and ‘yeoman of signals’).

BURGEE
1) The small distinguishing flag of a yacht or boating club, usually (but not exclusively) either triangular or in the shape of a tapered swallowtail (see also ‘broad pennant 3)’, ‘officer’s pennants’, ‘swallow-tail(ed)’ and ‘souvenir flags’).
2) In obsolete naval usage, a term sometimes applied to the swallow-tailed pennants used in flag signalling but see ‘burgee command pennant’ ’ (also ‘international code of signals’, ‘pennant 2)’, ‘signal flag’ and ‘swallow-tail(ed)’).

[burgees] [burgees] [burgees]
Burgees: Royal Lymington Yacht Club UK, Burin Sailing Club, Croatia (fotw) and Knysna Yacht Club RSA (fotw)

Please note, it is suggested by some sources that the term derives from ‘budgee’ which it is proposed was an alternative 17th Century name for bunting (see also ‘budgee flag’ and ‘budgee pendant’).


BURGEE COMMAND PENNANT
In US naval usage, a pennant that is flown at the main masthead in place of the commission (or masthead) pennant to indicate the presence on board of an officer in command of a formation of vessels (or an aircraft wing), but who holds the rank of captain or lower - see ‘broad command pennant’ (also ‘broad pennant’, ‘burgee 2)’, ‘burgee command pennant’, command pennant’, ‘flag of command’, ‘masthead pennant 1)’ and ‘private ship’).

[burgee command pennant]
Burgee Command Pennant, US (fotw)

Please note however, that the US practice of displacing the commission (or masthead) pennant by the burgee or the broad command pennants differs from general naval practice where the various command pennants (excepting the broad pennant) are usually (but not invariably) flown in addition and subordinate to the masthead pennant.


BURGUNDY CROSS
See ‘ragged cross’.

[burgundy cross]
Flag of The Carlists, Spain (fotw)


BURIAL FLAG
See ‘pall flag’.

pall flag
(adamtglass.com)


BURNING
In heraldry see ‘flamant’ (also ‘inflamed and ‘incensed’).

burning burning
Arms and Flag of Karasjok, Norway (fotw)


BUSS
(v) In Scottish usage a term to describe the decoration of a finial with coloured ribbons.

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