A **standard** is a personal or institutional flag, traditionally long and tapering, bearing the badges and mottoes of its owner. In medieval European practice the standard was distinct from the banner: it was flown at the bearer’s headquarters rather than carried into battle and could be of great length, divided into sections each charged with a badge. In modern usage ‘standard’ often refers to the personal flag of a head of state.
**Example**: The Royal Standard of the United Kingdom is flown only when the Sovereign is present at a residence or vehicle.
**See also**: [banner](/glossary/banner/), [gonfalon](/glossary/gonfalon/), [pennon](/glossary/pennon/), [ensign](/glossary/ensign/)