oriflamme

noun

1. (historical)The red silk banner of St Denis, which the abbot of St Denis gave to French kings as they rode to war in the Middle Ages.

   “The white banner with the golden lilies of France has been unfurled. The oriflamme has been presented to the virginal bride who stands before the altar in the forest chapel.”

2. (figuratively)Any banner, idea or principle which serves as a rallying point for those involved in a struggle.

   “And be your oriflamme to-day the helmet of Navarre.”

   “Please remember that the vocabulary of our readers isn’t very extensive, so don’t go using words like ‘oriflamme’ or ‘inelectable’.”

3. (literary)Something resembling the banner of St Denis; a bright, shining object.

   “This is that famed Martial law, with its Red Flag, its 'Drapeau Rouge:' in virtue of which Mayor Bailly, or any Mayor, has but henceforth to hang out that new Oriflamme of his; then to read or mumble something about the King's peace; and, after certain pauses, serve any undispersing Assemblage with musket-shot....”

   “On the other side Mailey's yellow beard flamed like an oriflamme.”

   “Lucette trotted into the room with a child's pink, stiff-bagged butterfly-net in her little fist, like an oriflamme.”

   “Open spaces made visible the approach to almost every one of them, or else a splendid mass of foliage stood out before it like an oriflamme.”