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,James, Charles A New and Enlarged Military Dictionary, or, Alphabetical Explanation of Technical Terms Printed for T. Egerton at the Military Library, 1802 or gonfanon.p.339 Norris, Herbert Medieval Costume and Fashion Courier Dover Publications, 28/11/1998 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).
See also Colours, standards and guidons
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