A coat of arms is defined by words, not by pictures

History · Published 17 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: In the world of heraldry, a visual image is secondary to its verbal description. A blazon is a precise, technical language that allows a reader to reconstruct an exact emblem from text alone. It is the difference between a drawing and a legal definition.

A blazon is the formal verbal description of a coat of arms, flag, or badge. While we often view heraldry as a visual art, the primary definition of an emblem lies in its wording. This means a single blazon can be rendered in many different artistic styles—much like the letter 'A' can be printed in various fonts—yet it remains the same heraldic entity. The visual depiction traditionally allows for considerable latitude, but the blazon specifies the essential, distinctive elements. The language of blazonry is a specialized system of syntax and vocabulary derived from French influences during the medieval period. Because English clerks wrote in Anglo-Norman French, many terms remain French in origin, often placing adjectives after nouns. To signal this quasi-foreign language, blazons are commonly printed in italics. The goal of this language is extreme conciseness and precision; it aims to eliminate ambiguity and avoid repetition or extraneous punctuation, providing a "laconic" yet "minutely exact" specification of every detail. The structure of a blazon follows a strict hierarchy. It begins with the field (the background), followed by the principal ordinaries or charges, and finally any surrounding external ornaments like crowns or mottos. For example, a divided shield is described starting from the dexter side (the viewer's left). While some historical conventions sought to minimize the repetition of colors by referring back to previous mentions, modern authorities like the College of Arms in London now prefer explicit naming to avoid confusion in complex designs.

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