Tinctures, Meanings of Heraldic Colors, Metals and Furs

Colors are called tinctures in heraldry, and they are subdivided into metals,
colors and furs.
The basic rule of a heraldic design is metal should not be on metal or color upon color.
Very rarely you will find some ancient arms which did not follow those guidelines.
Many times you will also see that in heraldry colors are also represented with distinctive and systematic patterns of lines and dots used for designating heraldic
tinctures; this is called hatching.

Heraldic Tinctures, Metals & Colors - Heraldry Hatching

Metals - Heraldic Tinctures and their meanings

Gold - Or

Gold or Yellow

Yellow

Silver - Argent

White - Argent

Understanding, respect, virtue and majestic generosity

Cleanliness, wisdom, innocence, sincerity, peace and joy

Colors - Heraldic Tinctures and their meanings

Ref - Gules

Red - Gules

Blue - Azure

Green - Vert

Eagerness to serve his country. Warrior & martyr

Steadfastness, strength truth
& loyalty

Freedom, beauty, joy, health and hope loyalty in love

Black - Sable

Dark Red, Mulberry - Murrey

Grief and resistance, constancy

Victorious - Persevering in the battle

Purple - Purpure

Orange - Tenne

Majesty, justice and sovereignty

Worthy ambition

Abbreviation of the heraldry design

O for or ( gold )
A for argent ( silver )
G for gules ( red )
S for sable ( black )

B for bleu ( blue)
V for vert ( green )
P for purpure ( purple )
Pr for proper

Furs in heraldry

Ermine

Vair

Valor, justice and dignity Symbol of great wealth

Heraldic marks of cadency

There are nine differences which are used in heraldry, they not only distinguish the sons of on family,
but also denote the subordinate degrees in each house.

LABEL - 1. son CRESCENT - 2. son MULLET - 3. son MARTLET - 4. son ANNULET - 5. son

FLEUR DE LIES - 6. son ROSE - 7. son CROSS - 8. son OCTOFOIL - 9. son

Please note that the following listed heraldry symbol descriptions and meanings have been compiled from a
variety of heraldic sources. Besides these heraldry symbols being globally used, the opinions and
interpretations between heraldic researchers may vary slightly.

References material are taken from following heraldry publications
a.) A practical manual of heraldry and of heraldic illuminations - publish 1864
b.) A dictionary of heraldry - published 1889

​Tinctures, Meanings of Heraldic Colors, Metals and Furs