Vexillum
(a banner) is the crucifix carried before the pope, with the figure towards him, to remind him that he should have Christ crucified ever before his eyes.
The word vexillum also denotes a flag or pennon of silk or linen attached to the upper part of a bishop's pastoral staff by a cord. This pennon is then folded round the staff, so as to avoid the inconvenience which might arise from the moisture of the hand staining the metal of which the staff is made. Many examples of the vexillum are represented in illuminated MSS., and some are to be found on memorial brasses and incised slabs.
The Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological, and Ecclesiastical Literature was edited by John McClintock and James Strong. It contains nearly 50,000 articles pertaining to Biblical and other religious literature, people, creeds, etc. It is a fantastic research tool for broad Christian study.
John McClintock was born October 27, 1814 in Philadelphia to Irish immigrants, John and Martha McClintock. He began as a clerk in his father's store, and then became a bookkeeper in the Methodist Book Concern in New York. Here he converted to Methodism and considered joining the ministry. McClintock entered the University of Pennsylvania in 1832 and graduated with high honors three years later. Subsequently, he was awarded a doctorate of divinity degree from the same institution in 1848.WikipediaRead More