Military Equipment: Battle Banners, Part 3

The Company Commander’s identifying flag is three feet square and features slanted corners along the borders. It is equipped with a decorative tassel at the spear-tip. The pole stands seventeen feet high, and the flag is suspended from the very top of the pole.

original: 把總認旗方三尺、斜角用邊、帶纓頭、桿高一丈七尺、旗懸至頂

Company Commanderoriginal: 把總 (bǎzǒng). A junior officer rank used during the Ming and Qing dynasties. A bazong typically commanded a company of approximately 100 soldiers within the Green Standard Army.

Identifying Flagoriginal: 認旗 (rènqí). These "recognition flags" were essential for battlefield communication. By looking for the specific dimensions and height of a flag, soldiers could locate their commander, and higher-ranking generals could monitor the movement of their units from a distance.

Slanted Cornersoriginal: 斜角 (xiéjiǎo). This refers to the serrated or flame-like decorative borders on the edge of the flag. This design was common in Chinese vexillology, symbolizing energy and movement while also protecting the fabric from fraying in the wind.

Decorative Tasseloriginal: 纓頭 (yīngtóu). A tassel, usually made of red horsehair, located just below the spearhead of the flagpole. In addition to being a mark of status, tassels served the practical purpose of preventing blood from flowing down the pole onto the bearer's hands during combat.

Seventeen Feetoriginal: 一丈七尺 (yī zhàng qī chǐ). Traditional Chinese measurements. One zhàng equals ten chǐ. At seventeen feet (approx. 5.4 meters), this pole was designed to tower over the infantry, ensuring the flag remained visible even in the heat of a crowded engagement.