Messenger Longsword Society
Lesson 3 - Colours
There are seven colours (known as tinctures) used in heraldic design, which can be divided into two subsections 'light' (metals) and 'dark' (colours). The names of the tinctures are from French. There is one basic rule when considering colouring for heraldry, that metals should not be placed on metal or colours on colours.
The tinctures are:| Tincture | Heraldic Name | Meaning |
| Colours | ||
| Blue | Azure | Truth/Loyalty |
| Red | Gules | Warrior/Strength/Ferocity |
| Purple | Purpure | Sovereignty/Justice |
| Black | Sable | Consistency/Grief |
| Green | Vert | Hope/Joy |
| Metals | ||
| Gold/Yellow | Or | Generosity/Intelligence |
| Silver/White | Argent | Peace/Sincerity |
There are rare occasions when the basic rule does not apply however. This normally occurs when the Charge is coloured in the most common colourings found in nature and the field is defined by tradition. This is known as 'proper' colouring.
| Back to Lesson 1 & 2 | Lesson 4 - Charges |