Lhéraldique

L'héraldique, or heraldry, is the study and art of designing, displaying, and recording armorial bearings and related insignia. It encompasses coats of arms, crests, mantling, supporters, and mottoes, as well as the laws and customs governing their use. Heraldry serves as both a symbolic repertoire and a system of identification.

The practice originated in medieval Europe to identify riders, combatants, and property on the battlefield and in tournaments. Over time, it became formalized with rules, heraldic authorities, and the art of blazoning—the formal language used to describe arms so they can be recognized in words as well as visuals. Heralds acted as custodians of arms, pedigrees, and genealogies, maintaining registries to prevent duplication and ambiguity.

A heraldic achievement is constructed from elements such as tinctures (metals and colors) and charges (symbols). The rule of tincture governs contrast, typically requiring a metal placed on a color and a color placed on a metal for visibility. Common ordinaries and charges include the pale, fess, bend, cross, lion, eagles, and various knots and devices. Blazon provides a precise description that enables others to reconstruct the arms accurately.

Institutions and usage vary by country. In English-speaking regions, bodies like the College of Arms in England and the Court of the Lord Lyon in Scotland regulate arms, while France, Spain, and other countries maintain their own armorial authorities. Modern heraldry extends to municipal seals, university emblems, corporations, churches, and personal or familial arms, continuing to play a role in genealogical research and cultural heritage.