An arrow is a shafted projectile that is shot with a bow. It predates recorded history and is common to most cultures. An arrow usually consists of a shaft with an arrowhead attached to the front end, with fletchings and a nock at the other.  Today, most arrows are between 28" and 36" in length with the mean being between 30-32".

The Shaft is the primary structural element of the arrow, to which the other components are attached. Traditional arrow shafts are made from lightweight wood.  Today many arrows are made with wooden dowels.

Fletching refers collectively to the fins or vanes, each of which individually is known as a fletch. Traditionally, the fletching consists of three matched half-feathers attached near the back of the arrow or dart's shaft that are equally spaced around its circumference. Four fletchings have also been used historically.

Today, modern plastics may be used instead. Fletches were traditionally attached with glue and silk thread, but with modern glues thread is no longer necessary unless the arrow is a reproduction of a medieval war arrow. The fletching is used to stabilize the arrow aerodynamically.

Of course the traditional fletching for arrows is a split feather, called a vane, which is glued and or tied to the arrow shaft. Almost any feather will do if it is large enough. Native Americans used the feathers of eagles, hawks, owls, and turkeys. The English preferred goose feathers. These days, most primitive archers use turkey feathers for fletchings.

Eagle, hawk, and owl feathers can get you into serious trouble with the law, so stick with turkey or goose feathers.

Feather fletches impart a natural spin on an arrow due to the rough and smooth sides of a feather and the natural curve, determined by which wing the feather came from.  It has been said that right handed shooters (those that shoot arrows on the left side of the bow) shoot left wing feathers the best.
Conversely, right wing feathers work best with left-handed shooters (again those who shoot arrows on the right side of the bow). 

Most any feather that is tall enough will work as a fletching, however, some work better. Primary wing feathers, the 8-10 feathers on the end of the wing, work the best.

Vanes need to be placed at a slight angle to create the same effect, but all are there to impart stability to the projectile to ensure that the projectile does not tumble during flight. 

The Nock is a notch in the rearmost end of the arrow.

Additional Resource Links:  Fletching By Hand   Making Arrow Fletchings from Whole Feathers   The Feathers    Finishing the shafts      Hand Fletching Wood Arrows  

Making Bow Strings:   Making A Flemish Braid Bowstring