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Blazon
(Blason) is defined as: (i) the written description of armorial
bearings; (ii) to describe a coat of arms using correct heraldic
terminology.
The
language of heraldry can seem strange to those unfamiliar with heraldic
terms, but the blazon allows the heraldic artist to paint arms
accurately, while interpreting how those arms should be depicted. To
ensure clarity, the blazon (legal description) is always the final
authority.
The
language of heraldry includes terms to describe colour, heraldic
charges, position of charges on the shield and various components of the
complete armorial bearings (coat of arms) to which an individual armiger
is entitled. Most good books on heraldry include a glossary of heraldic
terms so I will not attempt to explain the subject extensively in this
brief article.
I have
many books on heraldry but the one I find most useful, and one that
helps to remove some of the mystery, is Scottish Heraldry by M. D.
Dennis, available from The Heraldry Society of Scotland and listed on
their website under Publications at a very reasonable cost. Obviously,
the 25 page book deals with Scots heraldry, but it is beautifully
illustrated and is applicable to most heraldry in the world. Mark D.
Dennis is the current Chairman of The Heraldry Society of Scotland and
is an exceptionally talented heraldic artist, which is evident in the
book. I use my copy often and anyone interested in understanding
heraldry would find the book answers many questions and dispels many
misunderstandings. In addition to personal arms, Mark explains heraldic
flags and banners, ecclesiastical heraldry, civic arms, school and
university arms, corporate heraldry and heraldry for clubs and
societies. The final chapter Heraldry Today, offers many suggestions as
to how heraldry may be displayed, complete with a photo of some
examples.
Anyone
interested in understanding heraldry should at least learn the basic
language of a blazon. The blazon for my personal arms is:
Azure
between three cinquefoils a chevron Argent masoned Sable voided of the
field and charged thereon with a trillium flower between two dogwood
flowers Proper.
And for
a crest: Upon a helmet mantled Azure doubled Argent within a wreath of
these colours a cougar reguardant Argent couchant on a mount growing
thereon strawberries Proper
Translation:
Blue
field with three fraises (strawberry flowers) a chevron masoned (marked
with Black lines to appear like a row of bricks) the field between top
and bottom showing a trillium flower (provincial flower of Ontario) and
two dogwood flowers (provincial flower of my native province of British
Columbia) flowers Proper (all as they actually appear).
And for
a crest (the topmost part of the arms above the helm) mantled (the torn
cloth) Azure (Blue) doubled (reverse side) Argent (Silver, always
painted as white) a cougar (B.C. Mountain Lion) reguardant (looking back
over its shoulder) Argent couchant (lying down) on a mount (mountain
ledge) growing thereon strawberries Proper (as the actually appear).
Personal
arms of William Neil Fraser granted through Canadian Heraldic Authority
14 November 1997 and recorded at Vol.3 Page 267 of the Public Register
of Arms, Flags and Badges of Canada. |
