Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jul 27, 2026

Fanion

A fanion is a small flag used by the French military, equivalent to an American guidon or British company colour. The name derives from the Italian word gonfanone, or gonfanon. They were often attached to a small staff which was placed in the muzzle of a rifle.

Last revised
Jul 27, 2026
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Fanion of the French 22nd Marching Regiment of Foreign Volunteers source ↗

A fanion is a small flag used by the French military, equivalent to an American guidon or British company colour. The name derives from the Italian word gonfanone,1 or gonfanon.23 They were often attached to a small staff which was placed in the muzzle of a rifle.

The regulation sizes were 50 cm × 40 cm for a battalion fanion, 40 × 30 for a company fanion, and 34 × 27 for a platoon fanion (the latter can also be a triangular pennant 30 × 40).4

See also

See also

Notes

Notes

  1. James, Charles A New and Enlarged Military Dictionary, or, Alphabetical Explanation of Technical Terms Printed for T. Egerton at the Military Library, 1802
  2. "GONFANON Meaning (Definition)". Retrieved 2012-05-10.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  3. p.339 Norris, Herbert Medieval Costume and Fashion Courier Dover Publications, 28/11/1998
  4. "Pennants of the Algerian Tirailleurs (French Army)". flagspot.net.
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