The World Encyclopedia of Flags and Heraldry

The World Encyclopedia of Flags and Heraldry by Stephen Slater. paperback edition. ISBN: 9781435118386.

The World Encyclopedia of Flags and Heraldry is an authoritative guide to the flags and heraldry of the world with more than 2100 color photographs and illustrations of arms, shields, civic and national flags, military signs, and royal standards. This highly accessible book examines the way flags have been used throughout the centuries and covers every aspect of the history, language, and modern use of heraldry. The first section follows the history of flags, from 3400 BC to the present day, giving information on the flags of rulers, government officials, flags for battle, and naval and civil shipping flags. The second section of the book, covering heraldry, closely examines the unique system of identification, codification and symbolism, and its infinite capacity to express personal, state, and corporate individuality. This vast resource brings together the symbolic identifiers used around the world to express nationhood, state and civic pride, and corporate, family, and individual identity.