Before we can get into that, let’s go through the parts
of the shield/arms/device. This is
important because you may not see a pictorial representation of the arms;
someday you may only get the blazon, or written description. If you are not comfortable with the basic
terms you won’t be able to decipher the heraldic language. First, all directions are giving from the
shield bearers perspective. Right, or
dexter, is the bearer’s right side not the observers, just like in stage
directions. Left is sinister, the top of
the shield is chief, and the bottom is base.
The background of the shield is the field and anything placed on this
field is called a charge.
Field divisions, or the way you can divide the background
of the device, are created from ordinaries.
They are large geometric charges that cover the field from one side to
the other. They were not required to be
used and you will see many arms that have no field divisions on them. Common ordinaries are shown below.
Smaller, or
diminutive, geometrical charges are sub-ordinaries. There is some argument as to whether or not
these should have an ordinary category.
Some people feel they should be lumped in with charges, but since they
can be used to make patterns on the field I like to separate them out. Common sub-ordinaries are shown below.
Heraldry would be boring if it was only a bunch of
straight lines wouldn’t it? Each of
these ordinaries and sub-ordinaries may have various line treatments to add
variations to the arms. Common line
treatments you may see are shown below.
Now, what about color?
In the last post I talked about metals and non-metals and how similar
colors cannot be used on top of each other.
This is when you can really begin to understand the need for contrast in
color and appreciate the rules. An or
field with an argent pale would not be visible from across the field let alone
look right. However, an or field with an
azure pale would be visible and contrast nicely. Think about sports teams. What colors and charges stick out in your
mind from community, high school, college, or professional teams? Do they have a nice contrast? Are the charges visible? This is modern day heraldry! Heralds wanted the same type of gut reaction
from people when arms were designed.
Yes, they need to have significance to the bearer, but they also need to
make a statement to those who see them.
Next time: animal
charges
Images of the parts of the field and ordinaries are from Heraldry Clipart
Main image from wikimedia
Images of the parts of the field and ordinaries are from Heraldry Clipart
Main image from wikimedia
I am enjoying this education. I never knew these terms. Dexter and sinister (from the bearer's view) are new terms to me, never mind the ordinaries, sub-ordinaries, or line treatments. Fascinating, and definitely more appealing to me than football uniforms. (modern heraldry, yes) Guess I'm just old-fashioned.
ReplyDeleteOne of my friends always gives examples using fast food restaurants. Modern day heraldry in use by advertising agencies!
ReplyDeleteGlad you are enjoying!!