Heraldic Dictionary: 1. Tinctures

Last modified: 2005-03-26 by phil nelson
Keywords: heraldry |
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See also:

• Heraldic concepts
  • Anti-heraldry: Seals and Crests
• FOTW Vexillological Reference
• FOTW Topical Index

HERALDRY I: Tinctures

I'll start this series with the TINCTURES (that is, colours) used in heraldry.

Tinctures are divided into three kinds - COLOURS, METALS and FURS.

In general practice, there are relatively few colours, and only eight are usually seen. Even then, some of these are rare. The nine colours are:¹