Oar (Period)

An oar is a long pole with a broad blade at one end, used for rowing a boat.  Its default orientation is palewise, blade to chief; its “proper” coloration is brown, the color of wood.  The illustration is taken from the arms of the Worshipful Company of Watermen and Lightermen, granted in 1585 [Bromley & Child 256].

The oar is also often found in the company of a ship, which is then blazoned “with its oars in action”; in that case, the oars have their blades to base (i.e., in the water).  See also peel (baker’s).

Adriana Tacita bears:  Per pale purpure and Or, two oars counterchanged.

Finnvarðr mjoksiglandi Grísson bears:  Per fess rayonny gules and azure, in chief two oars in saltire argent.

Cato ap Brion bears:  Vert, an oar fesswise Or.