Flying high since 1971, the Flag Institute is a UK charity working to promote interest in all aspects of flags and flag flying (vexillology); to foster knowledge and understanding; and to offer a unique free source of expert advice, information and comment. Membership is open to all. JOIN TODAY and find out more!
The Flag Institute is an adviser to the UK Parliamentary Flags & Heraldry Committee.
The Flag Institute is an active member of FIAV (Fédération internationale des associations vexillologiques).
Registered as an incorporated Charity (CIO) in England and Wales (No. 1152496)
The Devon flag is a very pleasant eye-catching design, but the only small pity is that it breaks one of the basic rules of Heraldry, – namely : no two tinctures (colours) can be adjacent to one another. In this case, the Sable (black) should not be in contact with the Vert (green). The only way round this problem would be to emulate the Union Flag by adding an Argent (silver) fimbriation (narrow border) between the Sable and the Vert. It would then be absolutely heraldically correct. Incidentally, in Heraldry, there are no colours white or yellow, and instead two metals are employed – Argent (silver) and Or (gold). The cross which appears as white would actually be the heraldic metal Argent (silver), but white is commonly used, especially on flags, like the Union Flag). That is why the fimbriation should match the cross, using silver of white.