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Heraldic Guidelines of the Flanaess

[ School of Heraldry, Heraldry of the Flanaess, Heraldric Guidelines ]

All aspects of Heraldry have associated import, both in their base meaning along with their implied meaning by being grouped with other items. Other real-world webpages explain how Heraldry is composed, this page primarily itemizes the variances from the Real-World and the Flanaess.

Note: This page represents the Heraldry of the Flanaess, losley based on the rules of Earth. Exceptions and variances are made, using creative license. In general, references to christianity were either removed, or generalized. Monsters are not used where the monster is intelligent and humanoid. Additions were made to represent evil heraldry as well as focuses for Law and Chaos.

In general, it is best to just use your browser's search feature, to locate items in the page.


Color (Tincture)

Colors have an emotive value.

  Gold (Or) Understanding, generosity, respect, virtue, majesty, and elevation of the mind
  Silver or White (Argent) Cleanliness, peace, wisdom, innocence, chastity, joy, and sincerity
  Red (Gules) Eagerness to serve, military strength, warrior or martyr
  Blue (Azure) Fidelity, steadfastness, truth and loyalty
  Black (Sable) Constancy or mourning
  Green (Vert) Freedom, beauty, hope, joy, health and loyalty (love)
  Purple (Purpure) Royal and Imperial majesty, sovereignty and justice
  Orange (Tawny) indefinite, ambition and worth
  Maroon (Sanguine) Patience, battle, victory
  Brown (Tenne) Nature

Furs

Furs of any type are a mark of dignity. Typically, furs represent forms of Ermine, or the Vair style is representative of stitching squirrel skins together in a pattern. There are a few variations of Furs, which are explained in better detail on webpage designed by Gill Smith (note: this is mirrored for the sake of posterity, the full site is also available).

Ermine

Vair

Divisions of the Shield

There are numerous ways to divide the shield, rather than duplicate all efforts there is a webpage designed by Gill Smith which explains the various divisions in detail.

Lines

The style of line used to seperate partitions can have an emotive value, but does not always mean the common emotive value.
WavySea or Water
EngrailedEarth or Land
InvectedEarth or Land
NebulyClouds or air
IndentedFire
DancettyWater
RagulyDifficulties that have been encountered
EmbattledWalls of a fortress or town, also Fire
DovetailedPrecision
Potenty
Urdy

Symbols

Grouped as: Styles, Plants, Animals and Monsters, Humanoid, Things.

Styles

Bar, Barry, or BarruletSteadfast against anger and evil temptations
Barry WavyTrouble reminds of providence
Bendsignifies defense or protection
BilletOne who maintains secrecy and can be trusted
BorderAugments an honour, also used to distinguish between relatives bearing the same arms
CadencesUsed to differentiate the heirs in a family. Label: First (img), Crescent: Second (img), Mullet (Star): Third [img]
Canton[flag borne at the top corner of the shield], reward from the sovereign for performance of eminent service
ChevronProtection; Builders or others who have accomplished some work of faithful service
ChiefTop one-third of the shield; signifies dominion and authority; often granted as a special reward for prudence and wisdom or successful command in war
FessMilitary belt or girdle of honour; represents readiness to serve the public
Gorged[around neck] High dignity
GyronnyUnity (six or eight-part division of the shield)
PaleStrength
PileEngineering, strength of building (bridges), sometimes pennon or Flag
SaltireResolution
Two-Heads[on any beast/humanoid], The joining / merging of two forces

Plants

AcornAntiquity and Strength
Bay LeavesPoet or victor's laurel
CarnationAdmiration
CypressDeath and eternal life thereafter
FlowersHope and joy
Fruit(any)Liberality, Felicity and peace
HollyTruth
Ivy LeavesStrong and lasting friendship
MarigoldDevotion and piety
Oak Garb or SheafThe harvest of one's hopes has been secured
Oak Tree, Leaves, BushGreat age and strength
Oak Tree/Bush with AcornsContinuous growth and fertility
Olive Branch or LeavesPeace and concordance
Palm BranchVictory, justice, and royal honour
Palm TreeRighteousness and resurrection; victory
PineDeath and eternal life thereafter
Pine ConeLife
Pomegranate FruitFertility and abundance
Rose (any color)Hope and joy
Rose, RedGrace and beauty
Rose, WhiteLove and faith
Sea horsePower of the water
Seal/Sea lionDauntless courage at sea
TreeLife, nature, natural order
TrefoilPerpetuity
VineStrong and lasting friendship
Wheat EarsFaithful
Wheat SheafThe harvest of one's hopes has been secured
Wreath of leaves and berriesTriumph

Animals and Monsters

AntGreat labour, wisdom, and providence in one's affairs
AntlersStrength and fortitude
BatAwareness of the powers of evil
BearStrength, cunning, ferocity in the protection of one's kindred
BeaverIndustry and perseverance
BeeEfficient industry
BoarBravery; fights to the death
Boar's HeadHospitality
Buck/DeerOne who will not fight unless provoked; peace and harmony
Bull's HornsStrength and fortitude
Bull, Bull's HeadValour, bravery, generosity, Ox
ButterflyPsyche or Soul
CamelDocility, patience, and perseverance
CatLiberty, vigilance, forecast, and courage
Claw of a BirdSurvival
Cock (male bird)Courage and perseverance; hero; able man in politics
CockatriceTerror to all beholders
Crane (Stork)Close parental bond; Vigilance if holding a stone
CrowStrategist in battle, watchful for friends
DogCourage, vigilance, and loyalty
DolphinSwiftness, diligence, salvation, charity, and love
DragonValiant defender of treasure; valour and protection
EagleNoble nature, strength, bravery, alertness, protection (with wings displayed)
FalconNo rest until objective is achieved
Feathersobedience and serenity
FishGenerous mind, virtuous for oneself, not heritage
FoxOne who will use all that he/she may possess of wisdom and wit in his/her own defense
GoatOne who wins through politics rather than war
GooseResourcefulness
GrasshopperNoble and home-bred
Griffin(Head, wings, and talons of an eagle with the body of a lion); Valour and death-defying bravery; vigilance
HareOne who enjoys a peaceable and retired life
Hind (female deer)Peace and harmony
HornsStrength and fortitude
HorseReadiness for all employments for king and country
HyenaChaos
Lamb or EweGentleness and patience under suffering, innocence, bravery, gentleness, purity, resolute spirit
LeopardValiant and hardy warrior who enterprises hazardous things by force and courage
LionBravery, strength, ferocity, valour, dauntless courage
OwlOne who is vigilant and of acute wit
PantherFierce, but tender and loving to children and will defend her children with her life
PegasusPoetic genius and inspiration; messenger of God
PelicanSelf-sacrifice and charitable nature; When feeding her young ("in her piety"), symbolizes the duties of a parent or parental love
PhoenixResurrection
PigFertility
Plume of feathersSign of willing obedience and serenity of mind
RamAuthority
RatPestilence, Plague
RavenDivine providence
SalamanderProtection
Serpent/Snake/LizardWisdom
SnailDeliberation and perseverance
SpiderWisdom, labour, and prudence
SquirrelNature and the woods
StorkFilial duty; close parental bond; If holding a rock, symbolizes vigilance
SwanPoetic harmony and learning, or lover thereof; light, love, grace, sincerity, perfection
TigerFierceness and valour; resentment; dangerous if aroused
TortoiseInvulnerability to attack
UnicornExtreme courage, virtue and strength
VulturePurification and maternity; also, virginity
WolfReward from perseverance in long sieges and/or hard industry
WrenFreedom
WyvernValour and protection
YewDeath and eternal life thereafter

Humanoid

Arm (or hand) in ArmourLeadership
Arm, NakedAn industrious person
Bones[crossed thighbones] Mortality
CelestialDignity, glory, and honour
DemonAwareness of the powers of Good
EyeProvidence in government
HandPledge of faith, sincerity, and justice; two right hands conjoined represent union and alliance
Hand, PalmLaw, Order
Heart, FlamingIntense, burning affection
Heart, HumanCharity and sincerity
LegStrength, stability, and expedition
MedusaeTerror
MermaidEloquence
SkullMortality (recently: Evil Providence, Iuz), when placed with something else inverts value to 'bad'

Things

AnchorHope, steadfastness, religous belief
RingFidelity
AnvilHonour, also emblem of the smith's trade
ArrowReadiness (battleworthy)--if depicted with a cross, represents an affliction
AxeExecution of military duty
BannersRefers to special action in which bearer was rewarded for valiant service
BellsPower to disperse Evil
BookIf open, manifestation; if closed, counsel
BowReadiness (for battle)
Bow and ArrowWar, power, ability to hit a target
BridgeGovernor or magistrate
Candle (Lamp)Light, life, and spirituality
Carpenter's SquareConforming one's actions to the laws of right and equity
Castle (Tower/Chateau)Safety
ChainsReward for acceptable and weighty service; with crowns and collars, this suggests the bearer bore the chain of obligation or obliged others because of services done
Chess RookStrategic thinking
CoinWorthy of trust of treasure
ClarionReady for war
CloudsMystery, obscured truth
ColumnFortitude and constancy; with serpent coiled around it, wisdom with fortitude
CompassDirection
CrescentA mark of honor given by the soverign, hope of greater glory
Crossassociation with deity (usually includes holy symbol)
Cross Flory[cross with flowered ends], one who has conquered
Cross Formee[flaired/german cross] Military honour
CrownAuthority, Royal or seigniorial
Crown of thornsAdversity
Cup (often covered)Servant to the King
CushionsAuthority
DiceLuck, Willing to gamble
Drops (Guttees)One who has endured torrents of liquids, as in battle, depending upon the color of the liquid:
  • Yellow: gold
  • Blue: tears
  • Green: oil
  • White: water
  • Black: pitch or tar
  • Red: blood
Ermine SpotMark of dignity
Scallop ShellNaval Victories
Shield with no chargesDefense
FireZealousness
Fleur-de-lis Purity, light
FusilTravel and labour
Fusil of Yarn (yarn with the spindle)Negotiation
GauntletArmed for the performance of martial enterprise
GavelJustice; legal authority
Gem or JewelSupremacy
Lyre,Harp,GuitarContemplation, tempered judgment
HammerHonour; emblem of the smith's trade
HelmetWhen depicted on the shield, denotes wisdom and security in defense; strength, protection, invulnerability
HourglassMortality, time
Hunting Hornfondness for the chase (hunting), of high pursuits
Inkhorn or InkwellArt of writing and educated employment
KeysGuardianship and dominion
Lance or JavelinThe perfection of martial affairs; devotion to honour
LevelEquity and upright action; virtuous person
Lightning BoltSwiftness and power
Lozenge Constancy
Mascle[hollowed out lozenge] Persuasive
Moon(Luna)Serene power over mundane actions
Moon(Celene)??
Mullet (Star)Divine direction, celestial goodness, noble person
Parchment/Scroll/DiplomaAcademic or Scholarly achievement
Nails/SpikesSuffering
PenWriting, Education, Employment
Stavewatchfulness, pilgrimage
PillarFortitude and constancy; with serpent coiled around it, wisdom with fortitude
Pipes (music)Festivity and rejoicing
Plow or PloughshareLabouring in the earth and depending upon providence
Portcullis (castle gate)Protection (emergency)
Ray or RayonneeGlory and spendour; fountain of life; intelligence and enlightenment
RockSafety and protection; refuge, when being held symbolizes vigilance
SaddlePreparedness for active service
ScalesJustice
Scythe or SickleFruitful Harvest, hope
ShipSea Voyages, Sea Prowess
Spear/PikeHonourable warrior; valiant knight
Spur or Spur RowelPreparedness for active service; pressing onward
SunGlory and splendour; fountain of life
Sword, Dagger, Dart, Sabre, ScimitarJustice and military honour
TorchLife; zealousness; engaging in signal service; truth and intelligence
TowerSafety and grandeur
TridentMaritime dominion
TrumpetReady for war
WingsSwiftness and protection
WheelFortune; cycle of life
Blasted treeDesolation, Entropy
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