section_path: Government and military/Flags and insignia
section_name: Flags and insignia
paragraph_text: Flags and insignia
  
  For most of its history, the Byzantine Empire was not aware of or did not use heraldry the way Western European nations did. Various emblems (Greek: σημεία, sēmeia; sing. σημείον, sēmeion) were used on official occasions and for military purposes, such as banners or shields displaying various motifs such as the cross or the labarum. The use of the cross and images of Christ, the Virgin Mary and various saints is also attested on the seals of officials, but these were personal rather than family emblems.