Heraldry Terms and Definitions: A Comprehensive Lexicon

Posted on Feb 3, 2025 in Visual arts

Heraldry Terms and Definitions

Currency: Tape or border of the shield is placed at the bottom.
Pompous: Every piece whose ends are two dragon mouths.
Gringoladas: Parts ending in serpent heads. Example: Azure, two boilers gringoladas of snakes in each handle.
In Addition: Any figure or other movable furniture that is superimposed over another.
Surmounted: Any figure placed above another without overlapping.
Laying and Together: When a piece of furniture comes with another on the sides, in the head, or tip.
Canton: When a piece comes with another piece in the corners.
Defended: When a figure appears at the door of a castle.
From One to Another: Example: Shield cut, 1st quarter silver, 2 gules, on each other a diamond.
Of Each Other: A figure that is repeated in the two fields, investing the enamel.
Loaded: A figure placed on another piece, but not beyond the outline.
Highlight: A figure placed on another and projecting from the one below.
Brochant: When a piece or figure is placed above all the existing set.
Stands: Always animals and may be lying on or accolated.
Brassieres: Always plants.
Supporters: Always human and animal figures with human parts.

Burelete: Simulates a rolled-up silk ribbon; must be of the main colors of the shield.
Helm: Placed on top of the shield.
Topmost: Adornment above the helm; could be an animal.
Lambrequins: Branches leaving the helm are rendered in color on the outside and metal inside.
Tufts: Feather ornaments are placed on the helm and must be of the major enamel of the shield.

Corona Real Cerrada (Royal Closed Crown): A circle of gold set with precious stones in eight rosettes of acanthus leaf forms, interpolated with pearls, of which five are visible. Added are eight gold diadems with pearls, converging in a world of azure with the equator and half-meridian of gold. The first is topped with a cross, covered with a cap of gules.
Castles:
- Almena: Battlements.
- Mazon: Masonry.
- Donjon: Keep.
- Rinse: Doors and windows on another enamel.
- Illustrious: Doors and windows of the same enamel as the castle.
- Open: When the field of the shield is visible.
- When it is sable, it is considered “silent”.

Trees:
- Started: You can see the roots.
- Trimming: Cut branches without leaves.
- Terrace: On a different base coat enamel.
- Fruity: With fruits of different enamel, but the same as the tree.
Cinquefoil or Rosa Heraldica: Five petals.
- Sustained: With stem.
- Buttons: Center of a different enamel.
Panels: Heart-shaped leaves.
Fruit: Usually represent the natural.
Lion:
- Leaping.
- Rampant.
- Leaping Leopard: Head in front, viewed in profile.
- Contour: Body and head right to left.
- Arrested: Stopped.
- Lying.
- Attributes:
  - Armed: Another tooth and nail color.
  - Ignition: Eyes of a different color.
  - Lingua: Tongue of another color.
  - Evira: Without sexual attribute.
  - Vilenas: Sexual attribute of a different color.
  - Morna: Without nails, teeth, or tongue.
  - Defamed: No tail.
  - Lion Leopard: Straight ahead.
Merlet: A bird without beak or claws.
Eagles: Looking to the right, tail spread, wings raised.
- Exployada: Double-headed (Bicefala).
- Chopped: Beak of another color.
- Barley: Prey in its beak.
- Membranada: Claws of another color.
- Unad: Nails of a different color.
- Stunned: Wings lowered.

Moon: Four positions:
- Crescent: Tips up.
- Growing Ramversada: Tips down.
- Growing Lying Down: Turned to the right (<-).
- Increased Contours: Turned to the left.
Stars: Metal, eight points.
Lucero: Metal, four points.