Understanding Blazons: The Language of Heraldry

Blazon is a heraldic term that refers to the description or depiction of a coat of arms or other heraldic device. It includes the details of the colors, symbols, and other elements that make up the device, as well as the order in which they appear. Blazons are used to identify and distinguish different coats of arms, and are often written in a specific language or format.

For example, a blazon for a coat of arms might read: "Quarterly, gules and azure, a cross fleury argent, overall a lion rampant or." This describes the shield as being divided into four quarters, with the first and third quarters being red (gules) and the second and fourth quarters being blue (azure). The cross fleury is silver (argent) and is placed over the entire shield, while the lion rampant is gold (or) and is positioned above the cross.

Blazons are used by heraldic authorities to ensure that coats of arms are accurately depicted and to prevent confusion or misuse of the symbols. They are also used by historians and genealogists to identify and trace the lineage of families and individuals who bear certain coats of arms.