Heraldic flag

The banner is in vexillology ( flags customer) and Heraldry ( heraldry ) a special form of the flag with an emblem or coat of arms, which marked the territory of a nobleman or belonging to the entourage.

Word origin

Banner, formerly Panner, or since the Middle High German Banier or Panier ( pani ː ɐ ) comes from French bannière, army flag ' from the medieval Latin baneria, place where the flag is set ', ' ensign '. Its roots are similar to bonds in gothic bandva "sign" and Latin pannus, fabric 'or Pandere, unfold '. Closely related is also the term militia. In addition to the flag, it also referred to the pennon, the quota. In a figurative sense, is Panier ( with French banir, announce, proclaim ') and later for a slogan, the war cries.

The phrase take to their heels means as much as the banner of the cowardly hares take, so show its tail, and thus escape.

When elevated, solemn expression for flag ' is banner ' outdated. Today, the center of a horizontal shaft hanging banners from the vertical shaft ( flagstaff ) is waving flag of distinction.

Historical Usage

From the original signa, the Roman general character, mostly pictures of animals, is the Aquila, the eagle, as standard on the legions, while the vexillum flag as are customary for the maniple of Manipulus, for the cavalry. The latter consisted in a square piece of cloth on a pole, which was hung horizontally to a lance, the distinguishing feature was the color. Of these, the banner is derived.

In the early Middle Ages, the German main field characters ( Reich Banner of the Holy Roman Empire) wore the Archangel Michael in the picture, under Otto II and since Frederick I the eagle ( black eagle with the emperor's house crest on the chest in the yellow box ). The imperial eagle has also graced the imperial storm flag that was associated with the Swabian pre- riding law. The Reichsbanner Office was upgraded in the 18th century with Erzamt Elector, but abolished after prolonged resistance of the mortgaged since 1336 with the Imperial Storm Flag House of Württemberg.

In the German Lehnmiliz it was the Army flag, that of the vassal state of nobility that could cause tens to hundreds of well-armed soldiers into the field. He was then called Mr. Banner, corresponding to the Baron. After the introduction of the standing militia it was a pure Titularwürde. His standard-bearer was the standard-bearer, later called ensign.

Today's use of the word

Banners are in the voluntary sector (such as traditional, sport and music clubs) and common in fraternities. They usually carry the club icon or an image of the patron and at parades and representative events in which the grouping occurs, carried.

Today, a politically motivated banner that is carried on demonstrations, be a banner.

In sports fan area a banner, banner or banner with two support rods is called a double holder. There are also the swing flag and the fence banner that is bound for a longer period determined to fences or safety gate, and the block flag, which at least partially covers a spectator section of the stadium.

Banners are also used for outdoor advertising. Today we speak of banners when you mean an inline on a Web page advertising graphics. If a banner behind a plane drawn through the air, one speaks of the banner towing.