In heraldry
Heraldry
Heraldry is a broad term, encompassing the design, display, and study of armorial bearings, as well as related disciplines, such as vexillology, together with the study of ceremony, rank, and pedigree. Armory, the best-known branch of heraldry, concerns the design and transmission …
What is a heraldic charge?
Any animal can be a heraldic charge, although more traditional ones vary in the exactitude with which they resemble the creature as found in nature. Animals depicted naturally are either described as natural or using the scientific nomenclature .
What was the first use of letters as heraldic charges?
One of the earliest instances of the use of letters as heraldic charges is that of the Langenmantel family of Augsburg.
What are some examples of human figures in heraldry?
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Human figures in heraldry. A Cossack appears in the arms of Cherkasy, Ukraine. Coat of arms of the Hungarian town Komádi. The hand, or hand and arm, is the most common part of the human body to be a charge.
What is not covered by ordinary (heraldry)?
It does not cover those charges which are geometrical patterns and resemble partitions of the field; for these, see Ordinary (heraldry) .
What is a medieval charge?
A charge was the name given to the main object that was to be painted on a shield and as such was the most visible part of it. Once a charge has been added, the shield was said to be 'charged with' whatever object had bens elected. A charge could be simply based around a pattern provided by ordinaries or subordinaries.
What are the rules of heraldry?
To ensure the clarity of contrast, heraldry created two rules – A colour object should not be placed upon a colour field. A metal object should not be placed upon a metal field.
What are tinctures in a coat of arms?
Tincture is the limited palette of colours and patterns used in heraldry. The need to define, depict, and correctly blazon the various tinctures is one of the most important aspects of heraldic art and design.
What does a stag represent in heraldry?
STAG: A very common heraldic animal, often shown “at gaze.” An emblem of one who will fight if provoked.
Can I create a coat of arms for my family?
You may certainly design your own coat of arms, and there's even websites to help you do so (see below). You can also have it registered with the American College of Heraldry, which recommends you follow these guidelines when designing your own: Make sure your design is unique.
Does my surname have a coat of arms?
No. There is no such thing as a 'coat of arms for a surname'. Coats of arms are inherited in the male line and so are surnames.
What is a chevron on a coat of arms?
The chevron represents the foot of a house, derived from the French work 'chevron' meaning rafter. It signifies protection. The chevron was granted to those who had participated in some notable enterprise, had built churches or fortresses, or had accomplished some work requiring faithful service.
What does azure mean in heraldry?
blueAs an heraldic colour, the word azure means "blue", and reflects the name for the colour in the language of the French-speaking Anglo-Norman nobles following the Norman Conquest of England.
What does a bordure mean in heraldry?
In heraldry, a bordure is a band of contrasting tincture forming a border around the edge of a shield, traditionally one-sixth as wide as the shield itself. It is sometimes reckoned as an ordinary and sometimes as a subordinary.
What does a wolf mean in heraldry?
Though commonly reviled as a livestock predator and man-eater, the wolf was also considered a noble and courageous animal, and frequently appeared on the arms and crests of numerous noble families. It typically symbolised the rewards of perseverance in long sieges or hard industry.
What does a moon mean on a coat of arms?
The crescent stands for one who has been "enlightened and honored by the gracious aspect of his sovereign." It is also borne as a symbol of the hope of greater glory. Knights returning from the crusades introduced the crescent, the badge of Islam, into the language of heraldry.
What does a star mean in heraldry?
independenceIn the design of modern flags and emblems, the stars (mullets, usually five-pointed) when standing alone often represent concepts like "unity" or "independence". When arranged in groups, they often enumerate provinces or other components of the nation (such as ethnic groups).
What are heraldic terms?
Heraldic Ordinaries Fess = horizontal stripe across the shield. Pale = vertical stripe down the shield. Bend = diagonal stripe. Chevron = like a house gable, pointing upwards. Cross = a plain cross.
What is the purpose of heraldry?
heraldry, the science and the art that deal with the use, display, and regulation of hereditary symbols employed to distinguish individuals, armies, institutions, and corporations. Those symbols, which originated as identification devices on flags and shields, are called armorial bearings.
What do colors mean in heraldry?
Heraldic Colours Red (Gules) = Military fortitude and also magnanimity. Blue (Azure) =Loyalty and in addition, truth. Black (Sable) =Constancy, and sometimes grief. Green (Vert) = Hope, joy and also loyalty in love. Purple (Purpure) Royal majesty, sovereignty and also justice.
What does proper mean in heraldry?
The definition gives two types of proper: The natural colors of the object, and a heraldic shorthand. Proper as the natural colors of a charge must be unambiguous. For example, a robin proper, or a brown bear proper, or a tree proper. If the charge comes in different colors, do not call it proper.
What are the categories of heraldic charges?
Fox-Davies (1909) in his presentation of common heraldic charges divides them into the following categories (not including ordinaries and subordinaries): the human figure, the heraldic lion, beasts (mammals), monsters, birds, fish, reptiles, insects, plants (trees, leaves, fruits and flowers), and "inanimate objects".
Who was the first person to use letters as heraldic charges?
One of the earliest instances of the use of letters as heraldic charges is that of the Langenmantel family of Augsburg. Rüdiger I Langenmantel (d. 1342), one of the leading figures of the Augsburg patriciate during the first four decades of the 14th century, is the founder of the "Langenmantel vom RR" branch of the family, derived from his coat of arms showing two letters R (for his given name), shown addorsed (as mirror images).
What is the most common part of the human body to be a charge?
Skull and crossbones. The hand, or hand and arm, is the most common part of the human body to be a charge. Arm and hammer. The ear. Feet. Example of a foot (sole) being used as a heraldic charge in the coat of arms of the Voet family (16th century) (human) foot sole. Teeth.
What is a maid holding a wreath?
A maid holding a wreath, for Magdeburg. A child (later also a Moor or Turk) being devoured by the Biscione (serpent), for Visconti of Milan. A crowned Moorish queen for the counts of Kirchberg, Swabia (13th century), hence the municipal arms of Illerkirchberg.
What is a roundel called?
roundel, but different tinctures have different names: for example roundels argent are called plates. A roundel barry wavy azure and argent is called a fountain .
Where are letters placed on coats of arms?
Lettering in coats of arms are usually placed in the motto, not in the heraldic shield as a charge. However, a tradition of introducing individual letters as heraldic charges on the basis of acrophony originates in the 15th to 16th century, primarily in personal and municipial heraldry, and with some frequency in the modern period, appearing more often on the continent than in British heraldry where letters as charges have traditionally been discouraged. Fox-Davies (1909:281) regarding letters of the alphabet as heraldic charges:
Is a chicken wearing trousers a heraldic charge?
If it's only found in modern municipal arms but it must be added, at least explain where exactly it is found -- yes " a chicken wearing trousers can be cited alongside "griffin" as a "heraldic charge", but there are degrees of notability. Please help improve this article if you can.
What is a charge in clipart?
A charge is any image, normally an animal, person, or plant, that is on the shield of a coat of arms.
What is a fleur de lis shield?
A heraldic shield with a charge cross in which the extremities terminate with fleurs-de-lis.
What are the parts of the Heraldic Charges?
Heraldry. Heraldic Charges. The coat of arms, or heraldic "achievement," consists of six basic parts: 1) the shield, without which nothing else can exist , and often just called the "arms"; 2) the helmet; 3) the mantling or lambrequin; 4) the wreath; 5) the crest; 6) the motto. By reason of rank and honor, other parts of ...
What are the rules of medieval heraldry?
First, the head of an animal was considered the most honored part, and often held the same virtues as the whole.
What does a plain ring mean?
A plain ring. It's symbolic of continuity, wholeness, and fidelity. It also signified that the bearer had royal favor and protection. Also, on English arms an annulet was sometimes a sign of the fifth son.
What does the bearer signify?
Signifies protection of providence. A great, barred, iron gate with spikes on the bottom, suspended over the main gate of a castle to be dropped before enemies could invade the castle. The bearer is a great defender in an emergency. A decorative piece of fabric, usually silk.
What is an ordinary charge?
SHIELDS ON COATS OF ARMS (ORDINARIES): An ordinary is considered to be a charge, or bearing, of simple form. The ordinaries, or as they are called by the majority of heraldic writers, honorable ordinaries, are thought to be nine in number as follows:
Why are dogs associated with priests?
Sometimes dogs were associated with priests since priests were watchdogs against the devil. Dogs of different names may appear on coats of arms. The squirrel's habit of storing nuts to ensure a supply of food for the winter makes him a symbol of thrift, caution and conception, also a lover of the woods.
What does the link of chain armour mean?
A piece on which armor was fastened, and to represent a mesh of a net or the links of chain armour. Signifies honesty, constancy, noble birth.
Beasts
Any animal can be a heraldic charge, although more traditional ones vary in the exactitude with which they resemble the creature as found in nature. Animals depicted naturally are either described as natural or using the scientific nomenclature.
Birds
By far the most frequent heraldic bird is the eagle. A variant is the alerion, without beak or feet, seen in the arms of the duchy of Lorraine (of which it is not quite an anagram).
Fish and creatures of the sea
"Fish" are sometimes only described as "a fish", but the species is often named:
Inanimate charges
This article contains a list of miscellaneous information. Please relocate any relevant information into other sections or articles. (November 2018)
External links
Original source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List of heraldic charges. Read more
What is charge in heraldry?from en.wikipedia.org
In heraldry, a charge is any emblem or device occupying the field of an escutcheon (shield). That may be a geometric design (sometimes called an ordinary) or a symbolic representation of a person, animal, plant, object, building, or other device. In French blazon, the ordinaries are called pièces, and other charges are called meubles (" [the] mobile [ones]").
What are the parts of the Heraldic Charges?from hausegenealogy.com
Heraldry. Heraldic Charges. The coat of arms, or heraldic "achievement," consists of six basic parts: 1) the shield, without which nothing else can exist , and often just called the "arms"; 2) the helmet; 3) the mantling or lambrequin; 4) the wreath; 5) the crest; 6) the motto. By reason of rank and honor, other parts of ...
What is a label in armory called?from en.wikipedia.org
It is sometimes called a file, as in the canting arms of Belfile, a label with a bell hanging from each point.
What is the name of the coat of arms of Bhopal?from en.wikipedia.org
Mahseer - used in Indian Muslim heraldry, such as the coat of arms of Bhopal State, Kurwai State, or the Kingdom of Oudh. See Mahseer in heraldry.
What is a maunch?from en.wikipedia.org
The maunch is a 12th-century lady's sleeve style. Its use in heraldry arose from the custom of the knights who attended tournaments wearing their ladies sleeves, as "gages d'amour" (tokens of love). This fashion of sleeve would later evolve into Tippet -style stoles. In French blazon this charge is sometimes informally referred to as manche mal taillée (a sleeve badly cut).
What are the inanimate objects in heraldry?from en.wikipedia.org
Very few inanimate objects in heraldry carry a special significance distinct from that of the object itself, but among such objects are the escarbuncle, the fasces, and the key . The escarbuncle developed from the radiating iron bands used to strengthen a round shield, eventually becoming a heraldic charge. The fasces (not to be confused with the French term for a bar or fess) is emblematic of the Roman magisterial office and has often been granted to mayors. Keys (taking a form similar to a " skeleton key ") are emblematic of Saint Peter and, by extension, the papacy, and thus frequently appear in ecclesiastical heraldry. Because St. Peter is the patron saint of fishermen, keys also notably appear in the arms of the Worshipful Company of Fishmongers.
What are the attitudes of heralds?from en.wikipedia.org
These, in the case of beasts, include the erect positions, the seated positions, and the prone positions. In the case of birds, these include the "displayed" positions, the flying positions, and the resting positions. Additionally, birds are frequently described by the position of their wings. A few other attitudes warrant discussion, including those particular to fish, serpents, griffins and dragons.
Overview
Inanimate charges
Regarding "inanimate objects", Fox-Davies (1909:281) comments:
"one can safely say that there is scarcely an object under the sun which has not at some time or other been introduced into a coat of arms or crest. One cannot usefully make a book on armory assume the character of a general encyclopedia on useful knowledge, and reference will only be made in this chapter to a limited number, including those which from frequent usage have obtain…
Subordinaries
A number of simple geometric shapes have traditionally, and somewhat arbitrarily, been classified among the so-called subordinaries. (All other mobile charges are called common charges.)
• lozenge
• billet (a rectangle)
• annulet (a ring)
Human figures
• Soldiers, armed men
• Rider
• A pilgrim (St Fridolin) for Glarus
• Wild men
• Virgin and Child with Saint Anne for Annaberg-Buchholz (1501)
Beasts
Any animal can be a heraldic charge, although more traditional ones vary in the exactitude with which they resemble the creature as found in nature. Animals depicted naturally are either described as natural or using the scientific nomenclature.
• Felines
• Canines
Birds
By far the most frequent heraldic bird is the eagle. A variant is the alerion, without beak or feet, seen in the arms of the duchy of Lorraine (of which it is not quite an anagram).
Also very frequent is the martlet, a conventional swallow depicted without feet or the French variant the merlette, which also omits the beak.
• Auk
Fish and creatures of the sea
"Fish" are sometimes only described as "a fish", but the species is often named:
• Carp
• Catfish
• Cod
• Conger
Parts of animals
Parts of creatures may also be used as charges.
• the Gamb (or limb) and the paw.
• Head
• Antlers
• Teeth and tusks