Fanion

File:Fanion 22 RMVE verso.JPG]]

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.{{Cite web |url=http://www.meaningof.ca/Gonfanon |title=GONFANON Meaning (Definition) |access-date=2012-05-10 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120913105105/http://www.meaningof.ca/Gonfanon |archive-date=2012-09-13 |url-status=dead }}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 x 40 cm for a battalion fanion, 40 x 30 for a company fanion, and 34 x 27 for a platoon fanion (the latter can also be a triangular pennant 30 x 40).{{Cite web|url=http://flagspot.net/flags/fr%5Edztir.html|title = Pennants of the Algerian Tirailleurs (French Army)|website=flagspot.net}}