Definition of Flagpole Parts
A flagpole, which consists of three parts, serve as support system for flags, which enables them to be held or mounted at various events and places.
Other People Are Reading
-
History
-
Before the impact of the industrial revolution, flagpoles were made from wood. In the late 1800s, flagpoles evolved to be made from sustainable materials, such as steel. Today they are commonly made from clear anodized aluminum.
Truck
-
The cap containing holes with pulleys, located at the top of the flagpole, is referred to as the "truck." Its main function is to raise and lower the flag by initiating the halyard.
-
Halyard
-
The halyard's function is to hoist the flag when prompted by the truck. It is commonly a rope or cable and can be made from natural fiber like hemp. The root of the term is the phrase "to haul yards."
Finial
-
A finial is a decorative ornament that can be found at the tip of the pole. It can come in various shapes although the most common finial is a simple silver or gold ball. The U.S. Navy and Coast Guard are known to vary the finial design to accommodate different occasions.
Fun Fact
-
Millions of people study vexillology, the term used to describe the scholarly study of flags. The North American Vexillological Association ( NAVA) produces a journal promoting different types of flags with each volume.
-
References
- Photo Credit sepia american flag image by Stephen Orsillo from Fotolia.com
