Hearldry

The Colors of Heraldry

There are literally hundreds of different symbols that can appear on coats of arms. The colors that are chosen and even the shape of the shield itself can be of significance to the family. The use of animals and images on the shields meant different things at different times to different people. The colors that were used however were more constant as were the shapes on the shields:

COLORS:

Purpure (purple) Justice, Sovereignty, Regal	Sanguine (maroon) Victorious , Patient in Battle
Gules (red) Warrior , Martyr , Military Strength	Tawny (orange) Worthwhile Ambition
Azure (blue) Strength , Loyalty	Sable (black) Constancy , Grief
Vert (green) Hope , Loyalty in Love

METALS:

Or (gold):
Noble, the Sun.
Originally only princes could wear it.

Argent (silver):
Sincerity, Peace, the Moon

Shapes and Styles of Sheilds:

Chief (a bar across the top of the shield) Dominion, authority, wisdom, achievement in battle	Pale (a center column on the shield - top to bottom) Military strength, fortitude
Bend (a column from a top corner to opposite bottom corner) Representative of a Knights scarf - signifies Defense	Fess (a center column - left to right) Signifies the Military Belt - represents Honor
Chevron (a column shaped like ^ ) Represents the roof of a house - signifies Protection, faithful service	Cross (self explanatory, top to bottom, left to right) Christian, one who had served in the Crusades
Saltire (an x shaped cross going corner to corner) St. Andrew's cross, signifying Resolution	Pile (A "V" shape on the front ) Represents wood used in bridge building - signifies construction, building
Canton (a small square located in the upper corner) Representative of a flag 'added' to the arms, and may contain a charge granted by a Sovereign	Bordure (a border around the shield) Represents Honor, as used to differentiate between family members

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