**FIAV**, the *Federation internationale des associations vexillologiques*, is the international body that federates national and regional vexillological associations. Founded in 1969 at the third International Congress of Vexillology in Boston, FIAV holds biennial congresses, ratifies a system of standard usage symbols for flag display, and publishes resolutions on terminology. Its symbol grid for normal, ceremonial and reserved use is the closest thing to a universal vexillological notation.
**Example**: A FIAV-style symbol grid printed next to a flag tells the reader at a glance whether it is a civil, state or war flag, on land or at sea.
**See also**: [vexillology](/glossary/vexillology/), [vexilloid](/glossary/vexilloid/), [iso-3166](/glossary/iso-3166/), [construction-sheet](/glossary/construction-sheet/)