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The system of colors, metals, and furs used in heraldry. The rule of tincture — metals must not be placed on metals, colors must not be placed on colors — is the fundamental principle of heraldic design.
The two metals of heraldry represent precious metals. Under the rule of tincture, metals may not be placed directly on metals.
#FFD700From French 'or' meaning gold.
Gold or yellow, representing generosity and elevation of the mind. One of the two heraldic metals, Or is among the most frequently used tinctures in European coats of arms.
#F5F5F5From French 'argent' meaning silver.
Silver or white, representing peace and sincerity. As a metal, Argent is used as the background of many coats of arms, particularly in continental European traditions.
The five standard colors of heraldry. Colors may not be placed directly on colors under the rule of tincture.
#CF1020From Old French 'goules', derived from Persian 'gul' meaning rose.
Red, representing warrior spirit, military strength, and magnanimity. The most common heraldic color, appearing on the arms of many nations and noble families.
#0038A8From Old French 'azur', ultimately from Persian 'lazhward' meaning lapis lazuli.
Blue, representing truth, loyalty, and strength. The second most common heraldic color after Gules, frequently used in the arms of France, Portugal, and many municipalities.
#1C1C1CFrom Old French 'sable', the fur of the sable marten.
Black, representing constancy, grief, and prudence. While less common than Gules or Azure, Sable is historically significant, notably in the arms of the Holy Roman Empire.
#009B48From French 'vert' meaning green.
Green, representing hope, joy, and loyalty in love. Less frequent in medieval heraldry, Vert became more popular from the Renaissance onward, especially in civic arms.
#7B2D8EFrom Latin 'purpura' meaning purple dye.
Purple, representing sovereignty, justice, and royal majesty. The rarest of the standard heraldic colors, Purpure was traditionally associated with royal and imperial dignity.
Heraldic furs represent patterns derived from animal pelts. Furs may be placed on either metals or colors.
#F5F5F5Named after the ermine (stoat in winter coat).
A white field with black ermine spots (representing the winter coat of the stoat). The most prestigious heraldic fur, historically reserved for royalty and high nobility. The arms of Brittany are famously 'Ermine plain'.
#0038A8From Old French 'vair', the fur of the grey squirrel.
A pattern of alternating blue and white bell-shaped pieces, representing the fur of the grey squirrel. Vair and its variants were widely used in medieval French heraldry.