Pennant (commissioning)
（重定向自Commission pennant）
![The Jeanne d'Arc flying her paying-off pennant while returning to harbour.](/Images/godic/202501/05/Jeanne-photo265304.jpg")
![A contemporary depiction of streamers (or pennoncells) on all four masts of the warship Mary Rose which sank in 1545. Here they have a cross of Saint George at the hoist and the white and green heraldic colours of the House of Tudor along the rest of its length. Illustration from the Anthony Roll.](/Images/godic/202501/05/AnthonyRoll-2_Mary_Rose5304.jpg")
![commissioning pennants for the United States Navy & United States Coast Guard](/Images/godic/202501/05/UScommissionpennant5304.gif")
![](/Images/godic/202501/05/US_Coast_Guard_Commissioning_Pennant5304.gif")
The commissioning pennant (or masthead pennant) is a pennant (also spelled "pendant") flown from the masthead of a warship. The history of flying a commissioning pennant dates back to the days of chivalry with their trail pendants being flown from the mastheads of ships they commanded. Today, the commissioning pennants are hoisted on the day of commissioning and not struck until they are decommissioned. Some navies have a custom of flying a "paying off" or "decommissioning pennant," the length of which often reflects the length of service of the warship.