HERALDRY.
29
Old heralds used more minute distinctions. The arms of gentlemen, esquires,
knights, and baronets, they blazoned by tinctures; those of the nobility, by
precious stones; and those of emperors, kings, and other sovereign princes,
by planets.
HERALDIC TABLE.
Colors and Metals.
Tinctures.
Precious Stones.
Planets.
Names
Abbreviated.
YELLOW, or GOLD.
OR.
TOPAZ.
SOL. O
O., OR.
WHITE, OF SILVER.
ARGENT.
PEARL.
LUNA. C
A., AR.
BLACK.
SABLE.
DIAMOND.
SATURN. h
S., SA.
RED.
GULES.
RUBY.
MARS.
G., GU.
BLUE.
AZURE.
SAPPHIRE.
JUPITER.
B., AZ.
GREEN.
VERT.
EMERALD.
VENUS. ✰
V., VERT.
PURPLE.
PURPURE.
TAWNY.
MURREY.
TENNE.
SANGUINE.
AMETHYST.
JACYNTH.
SARDONYX.
MERCURY. ☀
DRAGON'S HEAD.
DRAGON'S TAIL.
P., PURP.
T., TEN.
SG., SANG.
PARTITION LINES.
The partition lines in heraldry are those that divide the shield, or charge, and
are always right lines unless otherwise described by the following names, viz.,
engrailed, invected, wavy, nebulé, embattled, indented, and dancetté. Added to
these are sometimes ragnly and dove-tails. The following will explain the divi-
sions of the shield in coats-of-arms: —
PER-PALE. The shield divided into two equal parts, by a perpendicular line.
QUARTERLY. The shield divided into four equal parts, by a horizontal and
perpendicular lines, crossing at right angles in the center.
PARTY-PER-FESS. The shield divided by a horizontal line into four equal parts,
chief and base.
PARTY-PER-BEND. The shield divided into equal parts by a line running from
the dexter chief to the sinister base.
PARTY-PER-CHEVRON. The shield divided by lines running from the sinster
and dexter naval-points to the centre of the field, in the form of rafters.
PARTY-PER-SALTIRE. The shield divided by two lines running from sinister
and dexter naval-points, and crossing each other in heart or fesse-point of the
escutcheon.
GYRONNY-OF-EIGHT. The shield divided into eight parts by two lines running
horizontally and perpendicularly, crossing in the fesse-point; and two lines run-
ning from the dexter and sinister naval-points to the dexter and sinister chief-
points.
THE CHIEF. The shield divided by a horizontal line one-third below the top
of the escutcheon.
THE PALE. The shield divided by two perpendicular lines, which leave the
fleld in three equal parts.
THE BEND. The shield divided by two lines that run from the dexter-chief
to the sinister-base.
BEND SINISTER. The shield divided by lines running at right angles, and
forming a cross with perpendicular and horizontal bars.
THE FESSE. The shield divided by two lines running horizontally across the
field at the honor- and fesse-points.
