Defacement (flag)

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Defacement is a term used in heraldry and vexillology to refer to the addition of a symbol or charge to another flag. For example, the Australian flag is the British Blue Ensign defaced with the Southern Cross in the fly and the Commonwealth Star in the lower hoist quarter, beneath the Union Flag.

While the term "deface" has negative connotations in general usage, the term "defacement" in the context of flags does not imply any insult; the symbol simply indicates differentiation of the flag from that of another owner. For example, many state flags are formed by defacing the national flag with a coat of arms.