Heraldic glossary: Difference between revisions

From Heraldry of the World
Jump to navigation Jump to search
 
(37 intermediate revisions by the same user not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
<h2> This part of Heraldry of the Wold explains terminology used in heraldry in different languages.</h2>
<Font size=+3>Heraldic Glossary and Compendium</font>
[[File:glossary.jpg|450 px|center]]


==By language==
This part of Heraldry of the Wold explains terminology of heraldry in different languages.
* [[:Category:Glossary|English]]
* [[:Category:Glossar|Deutsch]]


==The shield==
[[File:glossary.jpg|450 px|center]]


=== Colours and metals ===
Disclaimer: This part of the site was started in November 2023 and thus is in development stage and not all heraldic terminology has yet been added, neither have most translations.
<gallery widths=60px heights=60px perrow=0>
File:Or.png|link=Or|[[Or]]
File:Argent.png|link=Argent|[[Argent]]
File:Azure.png|link=Azure|[[Azure]]
File:Gules.png|link=Gules|[[Gules]]
File:Vert.png|link=Vert|[[Vert]]
File:Sable.png|link=Sable|[[Sable]]
File:Purpure.png|link=Purpure|[[Purpure]]
File:Orange.png|link=Orange|[[Orange (colour)|Orange]]
File:Bleu celeste.png|link=Bleu Celeste|[[Bleu Celeste]]
File:Sanguine.png|link=Sanguine|[[Sanguine]]
File:Tenne.png|link=Tenné|[[Tenné]]
File:Brunâtre.png|link=Brunâtre|[[Brunâtre]]
File:Rose.png|link=Rose|[[Rose]]
File:Murrey.png|link=Murrey|[[Murrey]]
File:Argent.png|link=Proper|[[Proper]]
</gallery>


=== Furs ===
==Introduction==
<gallery widths=60px heights=60px perrow=0>
File:Ermine.png|link=Ermine |[[Ermine ]]
File:Ermines.png|link=Ermines |[[Ermines]]
File:Erminois.png|link=Erminois |[[Erminois]]
File:Pean.png|link=Pean|[[Pean]]
File:Papellony.png|link=Papellony |[[Papellony ]]
File:Plumetty.png|link=Plumetty |[[Plumetty ]]
File:Potent.png|link=Potent |[[Potent ]]
File:Potent Counter-potent.png|link=Potent Counter-potent|[[Potent Counter-potent]]
File:Potent En Point.png|link=Potent En Point|[[Potent En Point]]
File:Vair.png|link=Vair |[[Vair ]]
File:Vair, Alternate.png|link=Vair, Alternate|[[Vair, Alternate]]
File:Vair Bendwise.png|link=Vair Bendwise|[[Vair Bendwise]]
File:Vair Counter-vair.png|link=Vair Counter-vair |[[Vair Counter-vair ]]
File:Vair En Point.png|link=Vair En Point |[[Vair En Point ]]
File:Kürsch.png|link=Kürsch |[[Kürsch ]]
</gallery>


=== Field Treatments ===
Coats of arms (or in short 'arms') have been used since nearly 1000 years to identify a person (initially a knight), city or other entity.  
<gallery widths=60px heights=60px perrow=0>
File:Mailly.png|link=Mailly |[[Mailly ]]
File:Masoned.png|link=Masoned |[[Masoned ]]
File:Scaly.png|link=Scaly |[[Scaly ]]
</gallery>


=== Tiling Charges ===
Coats of arms were historically granted by rulers to persons or cities, a task often delegated to specific persons (individual heralds) or bodies (like the UK College of Arms) and recorded in armorials or registers. Already in medieval times there was a need to describe these coats of arms in words, not only in pictures. From this derived a uniform style with a specific language and terminology. This language had to be very specific as small differences and misunderstandings would lead to a different design and thus a misinterpretation. At first the design came first, but soon after the specific description ('''blazoning''') became leading. A coat of arms was granted by a blazon mainly, and an image secondary. This is still the case in many countries, the blazon is leading. This also means that anybody can paint a coat of arms based on the blazon only. This means that different artists will draw the same arms in a really different style, which, as long as they follow the blazon, are all heraldically identical, even though they look very differently.
<gallery widths=60px heights=60px perrow=0>
File:Fretty.png|link=Fretty |[[Fretty ]]
File:Fretty Parted.png|link=Fretty Parted|[[Fretty Parted]]
File:Grillage.png|link=Grillage |[[Grillage ]]
</gallery>


=== Semys ===
Many blazoning terms are quite ancient and often derived from old French. This means that a blazon often is very difficult to read for a modern individual without further heraldic knowledge, hence this glossary and index.
<gallery widths=60px heights=60px perrow=0>
File:Billety.png|link=Billety|[[Billety]]
File:Crusilly.png|link=Crusilly|[[Crusilly]]
File:Goutty.png|link=Goutty|[[Goutty]]
File:Estencelly.png|link=Estencelly|[[Estencelly]]
File:Masculy.png|link=Masculy |[[Masculy ]]
File:Mullety.png|link=Mullety|[[Mullety]]
File:Semy-de-lys.png|link=Semy-de-lys |[[Semy-de-lys ]]
File:Semy of Crosses Clechy.png|link=Semy of Crosses Clechy|[[Semy of Crosses Clechy]]
File:Semy of Roundels.png|link=Semy of Roundels |[[Semy of Roundels ]]
File:Trefly.png|link=Trefly |[[Trefly ]]
</gallery>


It is also essential to realise that a coat of arms is always described from the bearer, i.e. from behind. This means that the sides left and right are reversed for the observer. This makes the blazoning even more confusing.


The essential part is the shield, the actual coat of arms. The shield shows the colours (tinctures), divisions and the items (charges) that the owner uses to identify itself. All other things around the shield are additional to the shield and can not be displayed without the shield.
[[File:shield1.jpg|300 px|center]]


In time many additions items were placed around the shield, such as crowns, helmets, crests, supporters, compartments and mottoes or combinations thereof. Each of these also has a meaning to the owner of the arms. The total of shield and other items is called the '''armorial achievement'''. The different main parts are shown below in the arms of the [[National Association of Goldsmiths of Great Britain and Ireland]]:
[[File:shield2.jpg|400 px|center]]


== Division of the shield ==
Above the shield sits the '''helmet''', with the '''wreath''' or torse. On top of the helmet is the '''crest''' and from the helmet protective cloth falls down, the '''mantling'''. The shield is held (or supported) by two '''supporters''' and the whole stands on the '''compartment'''. The '''motto''' is placed on a ribbon over the compartment. Instead of a helmet '''crowns''' are also often used.


=== Two-Part Field Divisions ===
The above image is blazoned as follows:
<gallery widths=60px heights=60px perrow=0>
* heraldic blazon: Quarterly Or and argent, on a cross quar­terly gules and azure a lion's face gold; on a chief per pale of the fourth and third a pair of scales of the first.
File:Per Fess.png|link=Per Fess|[[Per Fess]]
** modern language : The shield is divided into four quarters, the first and fourth gold and the second and third silver. Over these quarters a cross has been placed, which is also divided into four quarters, of red and blue. On the cross a golden lion's face has been placed. The upper part of the shield is a separate section vertically divided in blue and red, with a golden pair of scales placed on it.
File:Per Fess Bevilled.png|link=Per Fess Bevilled|[[Per Fess Bevilled]]
* Crest: On a wreath Or, gules, azure, argent, gules, azure, A demi figure representing St. Dunstan, nimbed, habited and mitred as a bishop, his dexter hand raised in benediction and his sinister hand resting upon a covered cup all Or. Mantled parted gules and azure, doubled Or and argent.
File:Per Fess Crusilly Counter-Crusilly.png|link=Per Fess Crusilly Counter-Crusilly|[[Per Fess Crusilly Counter-Crusilly]]
** On a non described helmet (!) a wreath of the colours gold, red, blue, silver, red and blue is placed with gold and blue mantling on the outside and gold and silver on the inside. From the wreath a golden bust of St. Dunstan is rising, shown as a bishop with a nimbus or halo around his head, his right hand up and his left hand on a covered cup.
File:Per Fess Dovetailed.png|link=Per Fess Dovetailed|[[Per Fess Dovetailed]]
* Supporters: On either side a unicorn reguardant Or, armed, crined, unguled, and gorged with a chain, argent, pendant therefrom an escutcheon quarterly gules and azure, that on the dexter charged with an annulet gold gemmed also argent and that on the sinister with an hourglass also Or.
File:Per Fess Embattled.png|link=Per Fess Embattled |[[Per Fess Embattled ]]
** On either side a golden unicorn facing backwards with silver hooves, horn and pieces of fur. Each with a silver chain hanging around the neck, from which a small shield hangs, divided into four red and blue quarters, on which a golden circle is placed on the one on the left supporter and an hourglass on the right supporter.
File:Per Fess Embattled Ghibelline.png|link=Per Fess Embattled Ghibelline|[[Per Fess Embattled Ghibelline]]
File:Per Fess Enarched.png|link=Per Fess Enarched |[[Per Fess Enarched ]]
File:Per Fess Engrailed.png|link=Per Fess Engrailed|[[Per Fess Engrailed]]
File:Per Fess Engrailed Trefly.png|link=Per Fess Engrailed Trefly|[[Per Fess Engrailed Trefly]]
File:Per Fess Flory Counter-Flory.png|link=Per Fess Flory Counter-Flory|[[Per Fess Flory Counter-Flory]]
File:Per Fess Invected.png|link=Per Fess Invected|[[Per Fess Invected]]
File:Per Fess Indented.png|link=Per Fess Indented |[[Per Fess Indented ]]
File:Per Fess Indented Pometty.png|link=Per Fess Indented Pometty|[[Per Fess Indented Pometty]]
File:Per Fess Nebuly.png|link=Per Fess Nebuly |[[Per Fess Nebuly ]]
File:Per Fess Potenty.png|link=Per Fess Potenty|[[Per Fess Potenty]]
File:Per Fess Raguly.png|link=Per Fess Raguly|[[Per Fess Raguly]]
File:Per Fess Rayonny.png|link=Per Fess Rayonny |[[Per Fess Rayonny ]]
File:Per Fess Trefly.png|link=Per Fess Trefly|[[Per Fess Trefly]]
File:Per Fess Trefly Counter-trefly.png|link=Per Fess Trefly Counter-trefly|[[Per Fess Trefly Counter-trefly]]
File:Per Fess Urdy.png|link=Per Fess Urdy |[[Per Fess Urdy ]]
File:Per Fess Wavy.png|link=Per Fess Wavy |[[Per Fess Wavy ]]
File:Per Fess With A Left Step.png|link=Per Fess With A Left Step|[[Per Fess With A Left Step]]
File:Per Fess With A Right Step.png|link=Per Fess With A Right Step|[[Per Fess With A Right Step]]
File:Per Fess With One Embattlement.png|link=Per Fess With One Embattlement|[[Per Fess With One Embattlement]]
File:Per Fess With Two Embattlements.png|link=Per Fess With Two Embattlements|[[Per Fess With Two Embattlements]]
</gallery>
<gallery widths=60px heights=60px perrow=0>
File:Per Pale.png|link=Per Pale|[[Per Pale]]
File:Per Pale Dovetailed.png|link=Per Pale Dovetailed |[[Per Pale Dovetailed ]]
File:Per Pale Embattled.png|link=Per Pale Embattled |[[Per Pale Embattled ]]
File:Per Pale With Two Embattlements.png|link=Per Pale With Two Embattlements|[[Per Pale With Two Embattlements]]
File:Per Pale Embowed Counter-embowed.png|link=Per Pale Embowed Counter-embowed|[[Per Pale Embowed Counter-embowed]]
File:Per Pale Engrailed.png|link=Per Pale Engrailed|[[Per Pale Engrailed]]
File:Per Pale Flory Counter-Flory.png|link=Per Pale Flory Counter-Flory |[[Per Pale Flory Counter-Flory ]]
File:Per Pale Indented.png|link=Per Pale Indented |[[Per Pale Indented ]]
File:Per Pale Invected.png|link=Per Pale Invected|[[Per Pale Invected]]
File:Per Pale Nebuly.png|link=Per Pale Nebuly |[[Per Pale Nebuly ]]
File:Per Pale Offset.png|link=Per Pale Offset|[[Per Pale Offset]]
File:Per Pale Offset Reversed.png|link=Per Pale Offset Reversed|[[Per Pale Offset Reversed]]
File:Per Pale Potenty.png|link=Per Pale Potenty|[[Per Pale Potenty]]
File:Per Pale Raguly.png|link=Per Pale Raguly |[[Per Pale Raguly ]]
File:Per Pale Rayonny.png|link=Per Pale Rayonny |[[Per Pale Rayonny ]]
File:Per Pale Trefly.png|link=Per Pale Trefly|[[Per Pale Trefly]]
File:Per Pale Urdy.png|link=Per Pale Urdy |[[Per Pale Urdy ]]
File:Per Pale Wavy.png|link=Per Pale Wavy |[[Per Pale Wavy ]]
</gallery>
<gallery widths=60px heights=60px perrow=0>
File:Per Bend.png|link=Per Bend|[[Per Bend]]
File:Per Bend Bevilled.png|link=Per Bend Bevilled |[[Per Bend Bevilled ]]
File:Per Bend Crusilly Counter-Crusilly.png|link=Per Bend Crusilly Counter-Crusilly|[[Per Bend Crusilly Counter-Crusilly]]
File:Per Bend Dovetailed.png|link=Per Bend Dovetailed |[[Per Bend Dovetailed ]]
File:Per Bend Embattled.png|link=Per Bend Embattled |[[Per Bend Embattled ]]
File:Per Bend Engrailed.png|link=Per Bend Engrailed|[[Per Bend Engrailed]]
File:Per Bend Indented.png|link=Per Bend Indented |[[Per Bend Indented ]]
File:Per Bend Nebuly.png|link=Per Bend Nebuly |[[Per Bend Nebuly ]]
File:Per Bend Raguly.png|link=Per Bend Raguly |[[Per Bend Raguly ]]
File:Per Bend Rayonny.png|link=Per Bend Rayonny |[[Per Bend Rayonny ]]
File:Per Bend Potenty.png|link=Per Bend Potenty|[[Per Bend Potenty]]
File:Per Bend Wavy.png|link=Per Bend Wavy |[[Per Bend Wavy ]]
File:Per Bend Urdy.png|link=Per Bend Urdy |[[Per Bend Urdy ]]
File:Per Bend Sinister.png|link=Per Bend Sinister|[[Per Bend Sinister]]
File:Per Bend Sinister Bevilled.png|link=Per Bend Sinister Bevilled |[[Per Bend Sinister Bevilled ]]
File:Per Bend Sinister Dovetailed.png|link=Per Bend Sinister Dovetailed|[[Per Bend Sinister Dovetailed]]
File:Per Bend Sinister Embattled.png|link=Per Bend Sinister Embattled|[[Per Bend Sinister Embattled]]
File:Per Bend Sinister Indented.png|link=Per Bend Sinister Indented|[[Per Bend Sinister Indented]]
File:Per Bend Sinister Rompu.png|link=Per Bend Sinister Rompu|[[Per Bend Sinister Rompu]]
File:Per Bend Sinister Wavy.png|link=Per Bend Sinister Wavy|[[Per Bend Sinister Wavy]]
File:Per Bend Sinister a Cross Issuant.png|link=Per Bend Sinister a Cross Issuant|[[Per Bend Sinister a Cross Issuant]]
</gallery>
<gallery widths=60px heights=60px perrow=0>
File:Per Chevron.png|link=Per Chevron |[[Per Chevron ]]
File:Per Chevron Dovetailed.png|link=Per Chevron Dovetailed |[[Per Chevron Dovetailed ]]
File:Per Chevron Embattled.png|link=Per Chevron Embattled |[[Per Chevron Embattled ]]
File:Per Chevron Enarched.png|link=Per Chevron Enarched|[[Per Chevron Enarched]]
File:Per Chevron Engrailed.png|link=Per Chevron Engrailed|[[Per Chevron Engrailed]]
File:Per Chevron Flory Counter-flory.png|link=Per Chevron Flory Counter-flory |[[Per Chevron Flory Counter-flory ]]
File:Per Chevron Indented.png|link=Per Chevron Indented |[[Per Chevron Indented ]]
File:Per Chevron Indented Fleury at the Upper Points.png|link=Per Chevron Indented Fleury at the Upper Points|[[Per Chevron Indented Fleury at the Upper Points]]
File:Per Chevron Invected.png|link=Per Chevron Invected|[[Per Chevron Invected]]
File:Per Chevron Nebuly.png|link=Per Chevron Nebuly |[[Per Chevron Nebuly ]]
File:Per Chevron Ployé.png|link=Per Chevron Ployé |[[Per Chevron Ployé ]]
File:Per Chevron Ployé Flory at the Point.png|link=Per Chevron Ployé Flory at the Point |[[Per Chevron Ployé Flory at the Point ]]
File:Per Chevron Potenty.png|link=Per Chevron Potenty|[[Per Chevron Potenty]]
File:Per Chevron Raguly.png|link=Per Chevron Raguly |[[Per Chevron Raguly ]]
File:Per Chevron Rayonny.png|link=Per Chevron Rayonny|[[Per Chevron Rayonny]]
File:Per Chevron Throughout.png|link=Per Chevron Throughout |[[Per Chevron Throughout ]]
File:Per Chevron Throughout Ployé.png|link=Per Chevron Throughout Ployé|[[Per Chevron Throughout Ployé]]
File:Per Chevron Urdy.png|link=Per Chevron Urdy |[[Per Chevron Urdy ]]
File:Per Chevron Wavy.png|link=Per Chevron Wavy |[[Per Chevron Wavy ]]
File:Per Chevron Inverted.png|link=Per Chevron Inverted |[[Per Chevron Inverted ]]
File:Per Chevron Inverted Embattled.png|link=Per Chevron Inverted Embattled|[[Per Chevron Inverted Embattled]]
File:Per Chevron Inverted Engrailed.png|link=Per Chevron Inverted Engrailed|[[Per Chevron Inverted Engrailed]]
File:Per Chevron Inverted Invected.png|link=Per Chevron Inverted Invected|[[Per Chevron Inverted Invected]]
File:Per Chevron Inverted Rayonny.png|link=Per Chevron Inverted Rayonny |[[Per Chevron Inverted Rayonny ]]
File:Per Chevron Inverted Throughout.png|link=Per Chevron Inverted Throughout|[[Per Chevron Inverted Throughout]]
File:Per Chevron Inverted Urdy.png|link=Per Chevron Inverted Urdy|[[Per Chevron Inverted Urdy]]
File:Per Chevron Inverted Wavy.png|link=Per Chevron Inverted Wavy|[[Per Chevron Inverted Wavy]]
</gallery>


=== Four Part Field Divisions ===
As is clear from the above, a lot of terminology is being used. Hence the use of this glossary and index of heraldic terminology and list of charges.
<gallery widths=60px heights=60px perrow=0>
File:Quarterly.png|link=Quarterly|[[Quarterly]]
File:Quarterly Indented.png|link=Quarterly Indented|[[Quarterly Indented]]
File:Quarterly Embattled.png|link=Quarterly Embattled|[[Quarterly Embattled]]
File:Quarterly Rayonny.png|link=Quarterly Rayonny|[[Quarterly Rayonny]]
File:Quarterly Wavy.png|link=Quarterly Wavy|[[Quarterly Wavy]]
File:Quarterly Arrondi.png|link=Quarterly Arrondi|[[Quarterly Arrondi]]
File:Per Saltire.png|link=Per Saltire|[[Per Saltire]]
File:Per Saltire Indented.png|link=Per Saltire Indented|[[Per Saltire Indented]]
File:Per Saltire Arrondi.png|link=Per Saltire Arrondi |[[Per Saltire Arrondi ]]
File:Per Saltire Wavy.png|link=Per Saltire Wavy|[[Per Saltire Wavy]]
File:Per Fess and Per Pale Wavy.png|link=Per Fess and Per Pale Wavy|[[Per Fess and Per Pale Wavy]]
File:Per Fess and Per Pale Embattled.png|link=Per Fess and Per Pale Embattled|[[Per Fess and Per Pale Embattled]]
File:Per Pale and Per Fess Embattled.png|link=Per Pale and Per Fess Embattled|[[Per Pale and Per Fess Embattled]]
File:Per Pale and Per Fess with a Single Embattlement.png|link=Per Pale and Per Fess with a Single Embattlement|[[Per Pale and Per Fess with a Single Embattlement]]
File:Per Pale and Per Fess Indented.png|link=Per Pale and Per Fess Indented|[[Per Pale and Per Fess Indented]]
File:Per Pale and Per Chevron.png|link=Per Pale and Per Chevron|[[Per Pale and Per Chevron]]
File:Per Saltire and Per Fess.png|link=Per Saltire and Per Fess|[[Per Saltire and Per Fess]]
File:Per Saltire and Per Pale.png|link=Per Saltire and Per Pale|[[Per Saltire and Per Pale]]
</gallery>


=== Three to Six Part Field Divisions ===
==Use of the glossary==
<gallery widths=60px heights=60px perrow=0>
The glossary can be used of course to look up individual heraldic terms or charges. As many of the arms on the Heraldry of the World site are included in the examples, it can also be used to look for a specific unknown coat of arms.
File:Per Pall.png|link=Per Pall|[[Per Pall]]
File:Per Pall Arrondi.png|link=Per Pall Arrondi|[[Per Pall Arrondi]]
File:Per Pall Inverted.png|link=Per Pall Inverted|[[Per Pall Inverted]]
File:Per Pall Inverted Arrondi.png|link=Per Pall Inverted Arrondi|[[Per Pall Inverted Arrondi]]
File:Gyronny.png|link=Gyronny of |[[Gyronny]]
File:Chapé.png|link=Chapé |[[Chapé ]]
File:Chapé Ployé.png|link=Chapé Ployé |[[Chapé Ployé ]]
File:Chaussé.png|link=Chaussé|[[Chaussé]]
File:Chaussé Ployé.png|link=Chaussé Ployé|[[Chaussé Ployé]]
File:Vêtu.png|link=Vêtu|[[Vêtu]]
File:Vêtu Ployé.png|link=Vêtu Ployé|[[Vêtu Ployé]]
File:Party Of Six.png|link=Party Of Six|[[Party Of Six]]
</gallery>


=== Composite Fields ===
The glossary and index has thousands of terms and charges and is divided in the following sub-sections, starting with the shield (part 1), then the shield divisions (part 2) and the charges (part 3-24). These are divided in heraldic and geometrical charges (parts 3 and 4, such as crosses, squares etc) and a whole series of other charges by category (5-24). Then there are sections on the other items around the shield (25-28), followed by terminology to describe arms (29), rules (30) and others (31).
<gallery widths=60px heights=60px perrow=0>
File:Per Fess and Per Pale1.png|link=Per Fess and Per Pale |[[Per Fess and Per Pale (2)]]
File:Per Fess and Per Pale2.png|link=Per Fess and Per Pale |[[Per Fess and Per Pale (1)]]
File:Per Pale Per Bend and Per Bend.png|link=Per Pale Per Bend and Per Bend|[[Per Pale Per Bend and Per Bend]]
File:Per Fess Indented and a Pale Counterchanged.png|link=Per Fess Indented and a Pale Counterchanged|[[Per Fess Indented and a Pale Counterchanged]]
</gallery>


=== Striped Fields ===
* [[Heraldic Glossary - Part 1 : The shield|Part 1 : The Shield]] (including colours and furs)
<gallery widths=60px heights=60px perrow=0>
* [[Heraldic Glossary - Part 2 : Divisions of the Shield|Part 2 : Divisions of the Shield]]
File:Barry.png|link=Barry |[[Barry ]]
* [[Heraldic Glossary - Part 3 : Ordinaries|Part 3 : Ordinaries]]
File:Barry Dancetty.png|link=Barry Dancetty |[[Barry Dancetty ]]
* [[Heraldic Glossary - Part 4 : Subordinaries|Part 4 : Subordinaries]]
File:Barry Embattled Counter-Embattled.png|link=Barry Embattled Counter-Embattled|[[Barry Embattled Counter-Embattled]]
* [[Heraldic Glossary - Part 5 : Heraldic or phantasy creatures|Part 5 : Heraldic or phantasy creatures]]
File:Barry Embattled Grady.png|link=Barry Embattled Grady |[[Barry Embattled Grady ]]
* [[Heraldic Glossary - Part 6 : Animals|Part 6 : Animals]]
File:Barry Enarched.png|link=Barry Enarched|[[Barry Enarched]]
* [[Heraldic Glossary - Part 7 : Humans|Part 7 : Humans]]
File:Barry Engrailed.png|link=Barry Engrailed|[[Barry Engrailed]]
* [[Heraldic Glossary - Part 8 : Plants|Part 8 : Plants]]
File:Barry Fleury.png|link=Barry Fleury |[[Barry Fleury ]]
* [[Heraldic Glossary - Part 9 : Fungi, mushrooms and other living nature|Part 9 : Fungi, mushrooms and other living nature]]
File:Barry Invected.png|link=Barry Invected|[[Barry Invected]]
* [[Heraldic Glossary - Part 10 : Non-living nature|Part 10 : Non-living nature]]
File:Barry Nebuly.png|link=Barry Nebuly |[[Barry Nebuly ]]
* [[Heraldic Glossary - Part 11 : Agriculture and fisheries|Part 11 : Agriculture and fisheries]]
File:Barry Trefly.png|link=Barry Trefly|[[Barry Trefly]]
* [[Heraldic Glossary - Part 12 : Buildings|Part 12 : Buildings ]]
File:Barry Wavy.png|link=Barry Wavy |[[Barry Wavy ]]
* [[Heraldic Glossary - Part 13 : Science, education and learning|Part 13 : Science, education and learning]]
File:Barry of Three Tinctures.png|link=Barry of Three Tinctures|[[Barry of Three Tinctures]]
* [[Heraldic Glossary - Part 14 : Food and cooking|Part 14 : Food and cooking ]]
File:Bendy.png|link=Bendy |[[Bendy ]]
* [[Heraldic Glossary - Part 15 : Industry, mining and tools|Part 15 : Industry, mining and tools ]]
File:Bendy of Three Tinctures.png|link=Bendy of Three Tinctures |[[Bendy of Three Tinctures ]]
* [[Heraldic Glossary - Part 16 : Music and musical instruments|Part 16 : Music and musical instruments]]
File:Bendy Bretessed.png|link=Bendy Bretessed|[[Bendy Bretessed]]
* [[Heraldic Glossary - Part 17 : Religious objects|Part 17 : Religious objects ]]
File:Bendy Enarched.png|link=Bendy Enarched|[[Bendy Enarched]]
* [[Heraldic Glossary - Part 18 : Royalty|Part 18 : Royalty]]
File:Bendy Engrailed.png|link=Bendy Engrailed|[[Bendy Engrailed]]
* [[Heraldic Glossary - Part 19 : Sports|Part 19 : Sports]]
File:Bendy Wavy.png|link=Bendy Wavy |[[Bendy Wavy ]]
* [[Heraldic Glossary - Part 20 : Clothes|Part 20 : Clothes ]]
File:Bendy Sinister.png|link=Bendy Sinister |[[Bendy Sinister ]]
* [[Heraldic Glossary - Part 21 : Transport|Part 21 : Transport]]
File:Chevronelly.png|link=Chevronelly |[[Chevronelly ]]
* [[Heraldic Glossary - Part 22 : Military|Part 22 : Military ]]
File:Chevronelly Wavy.png|link=Chevronelly Wavy|[[Chevronelly Wavy]]
* [[Heraldic Glossary - Part 23 : Archaeology|Part 23 : Archaeology]]
File:Chevronelly Issuant From Dexter.png|link=Chevronelly Issuant From Dexter|[[Chevronelly Issuant From Dexter]]
* [[Heraldic Glossary - Part 24 : Other objects|Part 24 : Other objects]]
File:Chevronelly Issuant From Sinister.png|link=Chevronelly Issuant From Sinister|[[Chevronelly Issuant From Sinister]]
* [[Heraldic Glossary - Part 25 : Helmets and crests|Part 25 : Helmets and crests]]
File:Chevronelly Inverted.png|link=Chevronelly Inverted |[[Chevronelly Inverted ]]
* [[Heraldic Glossary - Part 26 : Supporters|Part 26 : Supporters]]
File:Orly.png|link=Orly |[[Orly ]]
* [[Heraldic Glossary - Part 27 : Mottoes|Part 27 : Mottoes]]
File:Paly.png|link=Paly |[[Paly ]]
* [[Heraldic Glossary - Part 28 : Compartments and other external ornaments|Part 28 : Compartments and other external ornaments]]
File:Paly Angled.png|link=Paly Angled|[[Paly Angled]]
* [[Heraldic Glossary - Part 29 : Terminology|Part 29 : Terminology]]
File:Paly Dancetty.png|link=Paly Dancetty|[[Paly Dancetty]]
* [[Heraldic Glossary - Part 30 : Rules|Part 30 : Rules]]
File:Paly Wavy.png|link=Paly Wavy |[[Paly Wavy ]]
* [[Heraldic Glossary - Part 31 : Other aspects|Part 31 : Other aspects]]
</gallery>


=== Pily Field Divisions ===
==By language==
<gallery widths=60px heights=60px perrow=0>
* [[:Category:Glossary|English]]
File:Pily.png|link=Pily |[[Pily ]]
* [[:Category:Glossar|Deutsch]]
File:Pily Barry.png|link=Pily Barry |[[Pily Barry ]]
* [[:Category:Glosario|Español]]
File:Pily Bendy.png|link=Pily Bendy |[[Pily Bendy ]]
* [[:Category:Glossaire|Français]]
File:Pily Bendy Sinister.png|link=Pily Bendy Sinister |[[Pily Bendy Sinister ]]
* [[:Category:Glossario|Italiano]]
</gallery>
* [[:Category:Woordenlijst|Nederlands]]
 
=== Combined Field Divisions ===
<gallery widths=60px heights=60px perrow=0>
File:Barry and Per Pale.png|link=Barry and Per Pale|[[Barry and Per Pale]]
File:Barry Bendy.png|link=Barry Bendy |[[Barry Bendy ]]
File:Barry Bendy Sinister.png|link=Barry Bendy Sinister |[[Barry Bendy Sinister ]]
File:Barry Dancetty and Paly.png|link=Barry Dancetty and Paly|[[Barry Dancetty and Paly]]
File:Barry and Per Pale Indented.png|link=Barry and Per Pale Indented|[[Barry and Per Pale Indented]]
File:Bendy and Per Fess.png|link=Bendy and Per Fess|[[Bendy and Per Fess]]
File:Bendy and Per Pale.png|link=Bendy and Per Pale |[[Bendy and Per Pale ]]
File:Checky.png|link=Checky |[[Checky ]]
File:Checky and Bendy.png|link=Checky and Bendy|[[Checky and Bendy]]
File:Chevronelly And Per Pale.png|link=Chevronelly And Per Pale|[[Chevronelly And Per Pale]]
File:Lozengy.png|link=Lozengy |[[Lozengy ]]
File:Lozengy Bendwise.png|link=Lozengy Bendwise |[[Lozengy Bendwise ]]
File:Lozengy Barry.png|link=Lozengy Barry |[[Lozengy Barry ]]
File:Masculy.png|link=Masculy |[[Masculy ]]
File:Paly and Per Fess.png|link=Paly and Per Fess|[[Paly and Per Fess]]
File:Paly Bendy.png|link=Paly Bendy |[[Paly Bendy ]]
File:Paly Bendy Sinister.png|link=Paly Bendy Sinister |[[Paly Bendy Sinister ]]
File:Paly Chevronelly.png|link=Paly Chevronelly|[[Paly Chevronelly]]
File:Paly Chevronelly Inverted.png|link=Paly Chevronelly Inverted|[[Paly Chevronelly Inverted]]
File:Paly and Per Fess Indented.png|link=Paly and Per Fess Indented|[[Paly and Per Fess Indented]]
</gallery>
 
=== Gyronny Field Divisions ===
<gallery widths=60px heights=60px perrow=0>
File:Gyronny of 6.png|link=Gyronny of 6 |[[Gyronny of 6 ]]
File:Gyronny.png|link=Gyronny |[[Gyronny]] (of 8)
File:Gyronny of 10.png|link=Gyronny of 10 |[[Gyronny of 10 ]]
File:Gyronny of 12.png|link=Gyronny of 12|[[Gyronny of 12]]
File:Gyronny of 14.png|link=Gyronny of 14|[[Gyronny of 14]]
File:Gyronny of 16.png|link=Gyronny of 16|[[Gyronny of 16]]
File:Gyronny of 20.png|link=Gyronny of 20|[[Gyronny of 20]]
File:Gyronny Wavy.png|link=Gyronny Wavy|[[Gyronny Wavy]]
File:Gyronny Wavy of 6.png|link=Gyronny Wavy of 6|[[Gyronny Wavy of 6]]
File:Gyronny of 6 From Base.png|link=Gyronny of 6 From Base|[[Gyronny of 6 From Base]]
File:Gyronny of 6 From Chief.png|link=Gyronny of 6 From Chief|[[Gyronny of 6 From Chief]]
File:Gyronny of 8 From Chief.png|link=Gyronny of 8 From Chief|[[Gyronny of 8 From Chief]]
File:Gyronny of 10 From Chief.png|link=Gyronny of 10 From Chief|[[Gyronny of 10 From Chief]]
File:Gyronny of 12 From Chief.png|link=Gyronny of 12 From Chief|[[Gyronny of 12 From Chief]]
File:Gyronny of 6 From Dexter Chief.png|link=Gyronny of 6 From Dexter Chief|[[Gyronny of 6 From Dexter Chief]]
File:Gyronny of 12 From Dexter Chief.png|link=Gyronny of 12 From Dexter Chief|[[Gyronny of 12 From Dexter Chief]]
File:Gyronny Arrondi.png|link=Gyronny Arrondi |[[Gyronny Arrondi ]]
File:Gyronny Arrondi of 3.png|link=Gyronny Arrondi of 6|[[Gyronny Arrondi of 3]]
File:Gyronny Arrondi of 6.png|link=Gyronny Arrondi of 6|[[Gyronny Arrondi of 6]]
File:Gyronny Arrondi of 12.png|link=Gyronny Arrondi of 12|[[Gyronny Arrondi of 12]]
File:Gyronny Arrondi of 16.png|link=Gyronny Arrondi of 16 |[[Gyronny Arrondi of 16 ]]
</gallery>

Latest revision as of 14:01, 30 March 2024

Heraldic Glossary and Compendium

This part of Heraldry of the Wold explains terminology of heraldry in different languages.

Glossary.jpg
Disclaimer: This part of the site was started in November 2023 and thus is in development stage and not all heraldic terminology has yet been added, neither have most translations.

Introduction

Coats of arms (or in short 'arms') have been used since nearly 1000 years to identify a person (initially a knight), city or other entity.

Coats of arms were historically granted by rulers to persons or cities, a task often delegated to specific persons (individual heralds) or bodies (like the UK College of Arms) and recorded in armorials or registers. Already in medieval times there was a need to describe these coats of arms in words, not only in pictures. From this derived a uniform style with a specific language and terminology. This language had to be very specific as small differences and misunderstandings would lead to a different design and thus a misinterpretation. At first the design came first, but soon after the specific description (blazoning) became leading. A coat of arms was granted by a blazon mainly, and an image secondary. This is still the case in many countries, the blazon is leading. This also means that anybody can paint a coat of arms based on the blazon only. This means that different artists will draw the same arms in a really different style, which, as long as they follow the blazon, are all heraldically identical, even though they look very differently.

Many blazoning terms are quite ancient and often derived from old French. This means that a blazon often is very difficult to read for a modern individual without further heraldic knowledge, hence this glossary and index.

It is also essential to realise that a coat of arms is always described from the bearer, i.e. from behind. This means that the sides left and right are reversed for the observer. This makes the blazoning even more confusing.

The essential part is the shield, the actual coat of arms. The shield shows the colours (tinctures), divisions and the items (charges) that the owner uses to identify itself. All other things around the shield are additional to the shield and can not be displayed without the shield.

Shield1.jpg

In time many additions items were placed around the shield, such as crowns, helmets, crests, supporters, compartments and mottoes or combinations thereof. Each of these also has a meaning to the owner of the arms. The total of shield and other items is called the armorial achievement. The different main parts are shown below in the arms of the National Association of Goldsmiths of Great Britain and Ireland:

Shield2.jpg

Above the shield sits the helmet, with the wreath or torse. On top of the helmet is the crest and from the helmet protective cloth falls down, the mantling. The shield is held (or supported) by two supporters and the whole stands on the compartment. The motto is placed on a ribbon over the compartment. Instead of a helmet crowns are also often used.

The above image is blazoned as follows:

  • heraldic blazon: Quarterly Or and argent, on a cross quar­terly gules and azure a lion's face gold; on a chief per pale of the fourth and third a pair of scales of the first.
    • modern language : The shield is divided into four quarters, the first and fourth gold and the second and third silver. Over these quarters a cross has been placed, which is also divided into four quarters, of red and blue. On the cross a golden lion's face has been placed. The upper part of the shield is a separate section vertically divided in blue and red, with a golden pair of scales placed on it.
  • Crest: On a wreath Or, gules, azure, argent, gules, azure, A demi figure representing St. Dunstan, nimbed, habited and mitred as a bishop, his dexter hand raised in benediction and his sinister hand resting upon a covered cup all Or. Mantled parted gules and azure, doubled Or and argent.
    • On a non described helmet (!) a wreath of the colours gold, red, blue, silver, red and blue is placed with gold and blue mantling on the outside and gold and silver on the inside. From the wreath a golden bust of St. Dunstan is rising, shown as a bishop with a nimbus or halo around his head, his right hand up and his left hand on a covered cup.
  • Supporters: On either side a unicorn reguardant Or, armed, crined, unguled, and gorged with a chain, argent, pendant therefrom an escutcheon quarterly gules and azure, that on the dexter charged with an annulet gold gemmed also argent and that on the sinister with an hourglass also Or.
    • On either side a golden unicorn facing backwards with silver hooves, horn and pieces of fur. Each with a silver chain hanging around the neck, from which a small shield hangs, divided into four red and blue quarters, on which a golden circle is placed on the one on the left supporter and an hourglass on the right supporter.

As is clear from the above, a lot of terminology is being used. Hence the use of this glossary and index of heraldic terminology and list of charges.

Use of the glossary

The glossary can be used of course to look up individual heraldic terms or charges. As many of the arms on the Heraldry of the World site are included in the examples, it can also be used to look for a specific unknown coat of arms.

The glossary and index has thousands of terms and charges and is divided in the following sub-sections, starting with the shield (part 1), then the shield divisions (part 2) and the charges (part 3-24). These are divided in heraldic and geometrical charges (parts 3 and 4, such as crosses, squares etc) and a whole series of other charges by category (5-24). Then there are sections on the other items around the shield (25-28), followed by terminology to describe arms (29), rules (30) and others (31).

By language

Retrieved from "https://www.heraldry-wiki.com/heraldrywiki/index.php?title=Heraldic_glossary&oldid=3872280"