Custom Coats of Arms
Shield
Division of the field: Your field can be divided in a variety of ways. Here are some common examples:
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| undivided |
per pale |
per fess |
per bend |
per bend
sinister |
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| per chevron |
per chevron
reversed |
per pall |
quarterly |
per saltire |
Charges
Charges are any figure on the shield. Charges can be geometric shapes, objects, animals, mythical beasts, or humans.
Ordinaries: Colors may vary, but the rule of tincture applies.
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| Bordure |
Chief |
Quarter |
Canton |
Gyron |
Pile |
Fess |
Bar |
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| Pale |
Bend |
Chevron |
Flaunches |
Pall |
Cross |
Saltire |
Fret |
Other charges: Please ask about the availability of other charges. There are too many to list.
Attitudes: Animals may be depicted in a variety of attitudes or poses. The head faces forward by default but may also be guardant (front-facing) or reguardant (looking behind).
Here are some examples of common attitudes.
Quadrupeds
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Statant
(standing) |
Passant
(walking) |
Rampant |
Salient
(leaping) |
Sejant
(sitting) |
Couchant
(lying) |
Dormant
(sleeping) |
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Guardant
(front-facing) |
Reguardant
(looking back) |
Birds
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Displayed
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Close |
Wings Elevated |
Wings Elevated Inverted |
Rising |
Wings Expanded |
Preying |
Volant
(flying) |
Fish
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Haurient
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Naiant
(swimming) |
Tinctures
Tinctures are the colors used in heraldry. They are divided into three types: metals, colors, and furs. The metals are or and argent. The seven traditional colors are: azure, gules, purpure, sable, sanguine, tenne, and vert. Other colors are occasionally used.
The rule of tincture is that "metal should not be put on metal, nor color on color." This rule ensures maximum visibility on the battlefield. (Field divisions are not subject to the rule of tincture.)
Metals
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| Or |
Argent |
Colors
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| Azure |
Gules |
Purpure |
Sable |
Vert |
Stains (Non-traditional Colors)
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| Bleu Celeste |
Carnation |
Cendrée |
Murrey |
Sanguine |
Tenné |
Furs
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| Ermine |
Ermines |
Erminois |
Pean |
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| Vair |
Counter-vair |
Potent |
Counter-potent |
Helms and Crests
Crests
The crest appears on top of the helm. Plumes are the most common type, but many designs may be used, including animals, horns, and flowers. Royal arms often have a coronet (crown) on the helm, in addition to a crest.
Originally, the crests were granted by the sovereign to distinguished individuals, but their use has become widespread. Ladies are not entitled to crests, regardless of their rank.
Wreaths or Torses
The wreath is a twisted roll of colored silk worn on the helmet. Its colors are often derived from the colors used on the arms.
