In the context of
vexillology, the word "deface" carries no negative connotations, in contrast to general usage. It simply indicates a differentiation of the flag from that of another owner by addition of elements. For example, many
state flags are formed by defacing the national flag with a coat of arms.
History
Where countries pass through changes of regime with contrasting ideological orientations (monarchist/republican, fascist/democratic, communist/capitalist, secular/religious etc.) – all of which, despite their differences, claim allegiance to a common national heritage expressed in a venerated national flag – it can happen that a new regime defaces that flag with its own specific emblem while keeping the basic flag design unchanged. Such changing ideological emblems appeared over time, among others, on the flags of
Italy,
Hungary,
Romania,
Germany (West and East; see illustration),
Ethiopia, and
Iran. As a result, during the
Hungarian Revolution of 1956 and the
Romanian Revolution of 1989, insurgents tore the emblem of the regime that they opposed out of the national flag and waved the flag with which they identified.[citation needed]
It is common for
association football supporters travelling abroad for a match to bring a national flag defaced with the name of their hometown or a similar local identifier.[citation needed]