DIVISIONS OF THE FIELD   (Back to Introduction to Heraldry)

The shield in heraldry can be separated into more than one color, or tincture, as can the various charges.  Many arms have divisions of fields with only two contrasting tinctures.  These can be divided by one line, several parallel lines, or other horizontal, diagonal, or vertical lines in combination.

The normal tincture rules can be waived, since these are considered divisions of a shield. For example, a shield divided into gules and azure would be allowed.

A tierced shield is a good example. With coats of arms that are tierced fesswise (oriented so that the long axis lies horizontally, facing to the viewer's left), sable, vert, and gules are allowed.  This is because the shield is considered to have been partitioned into three, instead of having a fess on two background colors.

Dividing lines may include wavy, straight, embattled (taking the form of battlements), engrailed, indented (zigzags) or invected (scalloped), among other forms.

CHARGES   (Back to Introduction to Heraldry)

Any natural object or technology can be used as a charge in a coat of arms.  Popular charges include animals, geometric items (ordinaries), and other objects.  Early arms added bands to reinforce the shield, and these may have evolved into stripes.  The cross and lion are the most popular charges.

Other common animals are fish, martlets, eagles, griffins, boars, and stags. Dragons, unicorns, and more exotic monsters rarely appear as charges, but do so more often as supporters. Possibly the rarest animal in heraldry is the iguanodon supporter of the borough of Maidstone in Kent.

Other animals used as charges include eagles, griffins, boars, fish, martlets, and stags.  More uncommon charges include the mythical unicorn and dragon.  These are used more often as supporters. 

It is intriguing to note how animals are normally displayed on the arms.  Four-legged animals are usually displayed standing on the left hind foot, which is called the rampant position.  They may also be shown on both hind feet depending on shield shape.  They are displayed this way to highlight their important features, such as their tail and claws, and to fill the shield as much as possible.

Walking position is the second most common display position, which is called passant position.  A popular example of this would be the three lions used for the Kings of England.

Eagles are normally shown with their wingspread wide, which is known as displayed position.

Figures of people are not normally used as charges, but are found more as supporters.  Hearts, heads, and hands are used more as charges.  Due to the warring history of the region, Balkan coats of arms often show a mutilated Turk.   In Corsica and Sardinia, a Moor’s head is often used also.

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