Search Results for: polygon

Polygon

Triangle (Period)

Octagon (Period)

A polygon is a closed geometric plane figure with straight sides. While there are some simple heraldic charges which might be described in this way – e.g., the billet and the delf – the term here refers specifically to abstract geometric shapes, not otherwise defined, and which don’t appear to represent actual objects. Of these, the most commonly found in period European armory is the “triangle”, seen in the allusive arms (Italian canto, “angle, corner”) of de Cantono, mid-15^th C. [Triv 91].

The only other polygon found in period European armory (as of this writing) is the “octagon”: this appears to be unique to a single coat, the arms of Haller, mid-16^th C. [NW 165]. Society armory also has examples of the “pentagon” and the “hexagon”. The pentagon and hexagon, while registerable, are deemed a step from period practice.

Pentagon (SFPP); hexagon (SFPP)

Polygons are normally drawn as regular polygons (i.e., equilateral and equiangular), though triangles are also found in isosceles forms. Most polygons have a point to chief by Society default; the exception is the octagon, which rests on a flat side and thus has a flat side to chief.

For related charges, see lozenge, polyhedron, star of David, valknut. See also jewelry.

Hraði inn rakki bears: Quarterly sable and gules, in bend sinister two triangles inverted Or.

Georg Eisenfaust bears: Per fess argent and sable, in chief a clenched gauntlet and in base three octagons two and one counterchanged.

Ottavio Corsi bears as a badge: Sable, a hexagon voided within another argent.

Uto von den Sümpfen bears: Sable, a pentagon gules fimbriated Or.

Valknut

Valknut (SFPP)

A valknut is a Norse artistic motif, consisting of three triangles voided and interlaced. It was associated with scenes of Odin and the Valkyries (valknut, “corpse knot”), and may have represented the slain warrior’s soul. As an heraldic charge, it’s unique to the Society; its use is considered a step from period practice. The valknut has its point is to chief by Society default; valknuts inverted are no longer permitted.

There were several depictions of the valknut in Norse art; the illustration is the one accepted for Society use. It’s based on the image on the Stora Hammars I stone, in Gotland. See also knot, polygon.

Styrbjorg Ulfethnar bears: Argent, a demi-wolf salient proper charged on the shoulder with an elf-bolt argent, issuant from a valknut gules.

Hallgrímr Úlfsson bears: Gules, a valknut and a bordure argent.

Justin Stephen Cradoc bears: Quarterly azure and argent, four valknuts counterchanged.

Star of David

Star of David (Period)

The star of David is a geometric figure, comprising two equilateral triangles, voided and braced. Alternatively, it may be described as a mullet of six points voided and interlaced. It’s also called a “shield of David”, a “Mogen David”, or a “seal of Solomon”.

The star of David appears in Jewish texts as early as the 11^th Century (in the Leningrad Codex), and as a decoration on gravestones and synagogues; in modern times, it has been adopted as a universal symbol of Judaism. As an heraldic charge, it’s found in the arms of Compan, 1548 [Vigil Raber’s Armorial of the Arlberg Brotherhood of St. Christopher, fo.740]. For related charges, see knot, polygon, shield.

Judith bat Avram of York bears: Quarterly azure and purpure, in the second quarter a shield of David argent and Or.

Israel ibn Jacob bears: Paly wavy of twelve sable and argent, a star of David Or.

Moshe Mashughannah bears: Or, a star of David azure within and interlaced with another vert.

Polyhedron

Icosahedron (SFPP)

A polyhedron is a geometric solid figure with polygonal faces. While there are some heraldic charges which might be described in this way – e.g., the die – the term here refers specifically to abstract geometric shapes, not otherwise defined, and which don’t appear to represent actual medieval objects. No examples of abstract polyhedra have been adduced in period armory; their use in Society armory is justified by the Renaissance knowledge of the Platonic solids, and the registrations to date have been drawn as such. The use of a polyhedron is deemed a step from period practice.

The illustration shows an icosahedron, or twenty-sided Platonic solid. For related charges, see polygon. See also jewelry.

Alasdair O Cuinn bears: Per chevron Or and vert, two dragons combattant and an icosahedron counterchanged.

Lozenge; Mascle; Rustre

Lozenge (Period)

Mascle (Period)

A lozenge is a rhomboid shape. It’s an ancient charge, dating from at least 1275, in the arms of Bautersem or Baunstersein [Asp2 220]. The lozenge is usually drawn with one axis longer than the other; that axis is palewise by default. It may also be found occasionally as a delf saltirewise. The exact proportions are determined by the composition of the armory, and are left to the artist’s license.

Rustre (Period)

Lozenge pometty (Period)

Variants of the lozenge include the “mascle”, a lozenge voided, found in the arms of the Earls of Winchester c.1285 [ANA2 485]; the “masculyn”, a mascle flory at the points, found in the arms of Henry Pay, d.1419 [DBA4 200]; the “rustre”, a lozenge pierced with a circular hole [de Bara 47]; the “lozenge pometty”, found in the arms of van der Vliet, c.1370 [Gelre 85]; and the “lozenge ployé”, the Society’s term for the “napkin” (buqja), found in the arms of Qasrauh b. ‘Abdallah, 1413 [Mayer 185].

Lozenge ployé, or Arabic napkin (Period)

Masculyn (Period)

A red mascle has been adopted as the symbol of the International Red Crystal: its use on argent backgrounds is not permitted in Society armory.

The lozenge is considered a shape upon which arms may be borne; thus, like the escutcheon, when used as a fieldless badge it must not itself be charged.

Some texts cite the fusil as a “skinnier” variant of the lozenge. This error was common until the last few decades, when thorough heraldic research disproved it. The medieval fusil was a segment of an indented ordinary: e.g., a “bend indented” and a “bend of fusils conjoined” were interchangeable blazons. The fusil had no existence outside that usage, and its dimensions were not necessarily skinny. By contrast, the lozenge was an independent charge like any other.

For related charges, see polygon. See also vêtu.

The Shire of Black Diamond bears: Or, a lozenge within a laurel wreath sable.

Mathild de Lilburne bears: Sable, three lozenges argent.

Teceangl Bach bears: Sable, seven mascles conjoined three, three and one argent.

Anna Malakina bears: Or, three rustres gules.

‘Ayisha bint Mujir bears: Argent, a fess and in base a goblet azure charged with a lozenge ployé argent.

Coryn of the Wode bears: Sable, a pine tree eradicated and on a chief Or three lozenges pometty gules.

Amabilia Thexton bears: Azure, a masculyn argent.

Delf

Delf (Period)

A delf is a shovelful of sod or dirt. It is found in the canting arms of Delves, c.1460 [DBA2 298]; it was considered equivalent to a billet, in both blazon and emblazon.

The delf is always drawn in a highly stylized manner, as a square; and it’s treated more as a polygon than as an actual object. For related charges, see die, gameboard, tablet (weaver’s).

Vittorio Maria del Fabbro bears: Lozengy azure and argent, a delf sable.

Tibor of Rock Valley bears: Vert, a delf Or.

Angelique Thibodeau bears: Per chevron azure and argent, three delfs voided counterchanged.

Billet

Billet (Period)

A billet is a brief letter or document. In period armory, it is most often found strewn in a semy field; this is its earliest usage, dating from c.1255 in the arms of Gascelyn [ANA2 191]. However, billets are also found as distinct charges; such usage can be dated to 1445, in the arms of Livingstone [DBA2 127].

The billet is drawn as a rectangle, with no detail or shading, much like a polygon; it is upright by default. Period armory seems to have considered the billet and the delf to be equivalent, and no difference is granted between them in Society heraldry. At one point, billets with complex lines (e.g., a “billet embattled”) were permitted in Society heraldry, but pending evidence, these are no longer allowed.

Mistholme

heraldry, illumination, and random jottings