Bone (Period)

Three pairs of rib bones (Period)

A bone is a member of the hard endostructure found in most vertebrates.  The default heraldic bone is the human shin-bone (tibia), or its visual equivalent (the thigh-bone or femur, the arm-bone or ulna); such a bone is found in the arms of Newton, c.1460 [RH].  This bone is palewise by default.

“Rib bones” are a specific stylization of bones, found in the canting arms (Portuguese costa) of da Costa, mid-16^th C. [Nobreza xvº].  Rib bones must always be shown in pairs, issuant from the flanks of the shield; three pairs seem to be the norm.

See also skeleton, skull, tooth.

Leanore deVertearbors bears:  Argent, a chevron and in base a femur purpure.

Wiglaf Birkibeinn bears:  Vert, a bone argent.

Cassandra Hobbes bears:  Sable, three pairs of rib bones issuant from the flanks and on a chief argent three skulls gules.