The parts of arms are the escutcheon, the tinctures, charges, and
ornaments. Heralds distinguish nine different points in escutcheons,
in order to determine exactly the positions of the bearing they are
charged with, as in the figure.
[Illustration: (The nine points of escutcheons.)]
+-----------------+
| A B C |
| |
| D |
| |
| E |
| |
| F |
| |
| G I |
\ H /
\ /
+-----------+
A, dexter chief; B, precise middle chief; C, sinister chief; D, honor
point; E, fess point; F, nombril point; G, dexter base; H, precise
middle base; I, sinister base. The _tinctures_ mean the variable hue
common both to the shields and their bearings; and there are seven
tinctures--yellow or gold, expressed by dots; white or argent; red,
by perpendicular lines; blue or azure, by horizontal lines; purple,
by diagonal lines from right to left; green, by the same from left
to right; black by horizontal and perpendicular lines crossing; and
orange and blood colors are expressed by diagonal lines crossing
each other. The charges are the emblems occupying the field of the
escutcheon, or any part of it. All charges are distinguished by
the name of _honorable ordinaries_, _sub-ordinaries_, and _common
charges_. Honorable ordinaries, the principal charges in heraldry,
are made of lines only, which, according to their disposition and
form, receive different names. Sub-ordinaries are ancient heraldic
figures frequently used in coats of arms, and which are distinguished
by terms appropriated to each of them. Common charges are composed
of natural, artificial, and even imaginary things, such as stars,
animals, trees, ships, &c. The ornaments that accompany or surround
escutcheons were introduced to denote the birth, dignity, or office
of the person to whom the arms appertain. They are used both by
clergy and laity. Those most in use are of ten sorts; namely,
crowns, coronets, mitres, helmets, mantlings, _chapeaux_, wreaths,
crests, scrolls, and supporters. The crest is the highest part of
the ornaments of a coat of arms. It is called _crest_ from the Latin
word _crista_, which signifies a comb or tuft, such as many birds
have upon their heads, as the peacock, &c. Crests were anciently
marks of great honor, because they were worn only by heroes of great
valor and high rank, that they might be the better distinguished in
an engagement, and thereby rally their men if dispersed. They are
at present considered as mere ornaments. The scroll is an ornament
usually placed below the shield and supporters, containing a motto or
sentence, alluding to the bearing or to the bearer's name.
* * * * *
_Explanation of the Plate on the following page, taken from
Brande's Dictionary of Science, Literature, and Art._