Header (or heading) - The header is a band of material placed on the pole side (hoist) of the flag, it serves to secure the flag to the halyard line. The header is usually made of a thick cotton/poly blend that feels like canvas.

Grommet - A metal ring or eyelet embedded in the header. These are usually made of brass and used to secure an outdoor flag.

Canton - Technically the canton can be any quarter of the flag. In modern flag design it usually refers to the top left corner (upper hoist), which is the position of honor. The canton of the US flag is also called the Union - the blue background where the 50 stars are sewn or appliqued.

Field - the background or predominant color of the flag.

Fly End - The fly end is the edge of the flag furthest away from the pole. The term fly is used to describe the length of the flag, and the fly end is the side that is not secured. By nature, it "flies" freely and endures the most stress or whip.

Hoist - The term hoist is used to refer to the half (and edge) closest to where the flag is hung. It also refers to the distance from top to bottom of the flag. This is confusing since it is a vertical measurement, but describes the flag's width.

Upper Hoist - Imagine the flag is broken into four quadrants and each quadrant is named for the edges it borders, the upper hoist is the upper left corner.

Lower Hoist - lower left quadrant of the flag, nearest to the flag pole

Fly - The term fly is used to describe the half and edge of the flag that is furthest away from the pole. It can also be used to describe the length (horizontal measurement) of the flag.

Upper Fly - the top quarter of the flag furthest away from the pole

Lower Fly - bottom right quadrant of the flag

Fly End- The fly end is the edge of the flag that is furthest away from the pole - the end that "flies" freely.

Position of Honor - The position of honor is generally the upper hoist. This is also commonly referred to as the canton. Many colony flags use this area to honor their ruling country. Australia is now independent but the flag of Australia 🇦🇺is a good example.

US Flags with a pole hem are sometimes called banners. Instead of grommets and a header they are designed so that a sleeve slides over the pole.

These are often used with indoor pole sets, porch flags and parade display.

Pole Hem -The term pole hem refers to a sheath on the hoist side used to fit over a pole. In order to create the sleeve, either the main flag material is extended or additional material is added.

When the flag material is extended the colors of the stripes and canton continue and the flag appears to be elongated. If extra material is added it is usually white and looks like a traditional header.

Sleeve - The sleeve is the opening (sheath) on the pole side of the flag that slides over a pole.

Tab - A button-hole will be sewn into the sleeve. It is usually leather and can be found at the top, just inside the sleeve. This tab is used to secure the flag to the pole.

Banner - An American flag with a pole sleeve is often referred to as a banner. The term "banner" is used broadly and includes flags in general, so often the terms are interchangeable. But, historically, a banner is stretched between two points and often has text.