Hetman's sign

The hetman's sign (Polish: znak hetmański) was the only native military symbol of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth.

It was invented by hetman Jan Tarnowski, who also popularized it on the territory of Poland in the second half of the sixteenth century.

However, from the mid of the eighteenth century hetman's sign was replaced by horse-tail ensign.

Sometimes there were also colourful ribbons or a horse-tail ensign attached to the top of the spearshaft and during the battle so called "hetman's cap" was joined to it.

It informed the soldiers where the hetman was and assured them of his constant presence at the battlefield.