Column (Period)

Obelisk (Accepted)

A column is a stone pillar, used as a structural support in a building.  The default column is that found in Greco-Roman architecture; the exact type may be left to the artist, or it may be specified, e.g., an “Ionic column” or a “Doric column”.  These are guides to the artist; the heraldic difference is negligible.  The column is a period charge, used in Italy in the canting arms of Colonna, 1413 [Conz.Const. xli]; it is palewise by default.

Society armory has a similar charge, the “obelisk”, a four-sided stone stele terminating in a pyramid; the ancient Egyptians used it as a commemorative monument.  It too is palewise by default.

For related charges, see zule.  See also edifice.

The Canton of the Rising Stone bears:  Argent, on a pile inverted azure an obelisk argent, overall a laurel wreath and a bordure counterchanged.

Octavia Columella bears:  Per pale gules and argent, two columns counterchanged.

Adam ben Avram bears:  Per pale vert and azure, a column Or.