skip to navigation

catalog button
Search for

navigation
ask a librarian button






The Human Figure in Heraldry

Though found often as crests and supporters, the human figure simply used as a charge upon a shield is not often found. Instances of human figures that do occurr include Christ upon the cross and images of Saints. Representations of the Virgin Mary with Jesus are not as uncommon as other instances of human figures. Like birds and beasts, the position of the figure in a charge takes on different meanings and names.

a savage's head a blackamoor
or Moor's head

a Saracen's head
 
savage's head blackamoor or Moor's head Saracen's head  
a woman's head and bust   the Virgin Mary and Christ Child  
woman   Virgin Mary and child  


The human arm, in whole or in part, is the portion of the human form most often represented in heraldry. When shown bare, the arm is blazoned as proper, while a clothed arm is termed either habited or vested. If the arm is clothed and the cuff is of a different color, it is blazoned as cuffed. The hand is usually either tan or peach — any other color is blazoned as gloved. When a hand or arm is shown in armor it is assumed to be plate, unless specified as chain or scale. If the armor is decorated with gold it is said to be garnished or.

a dexter hand a sinister hand a dexter hand
in benediction
a cubit arm
a arm couped
at the elbow
dexter hand sinister hand dexter hand in benediction cubit arm arm couped at elbow
an arm embowed an arm embowed
to the dexter
an arm embowed
fessways
  a cubit arm habited
arm embowed arm embowed to the dexter arm embowed fessways   cubit arm habited
an arm embowed the upper part in fess two arms counter-embowed two arms counter-embowed and interlaced an arm embowed in armor a cubit arm in armor, the hand in a gauntlet
arm embowed, upper part in fess arm counter-embowed arms counter-bowed and interlaced arm embowed in armor cubit arm in armor

Other body parts which appear, although less frequently, include: legs (and boots), a woman's breast, an eye, a full skeleton or the skull alone.

Return to top of page

 

All libraries: Architecture | Art Image | Business Information Center | Chemistry & Physics | Engineering | Hesburgh (Main)
Kellogg/Kroc Information Center | Life Sciences | Mathematics | Rare Books & Special Collections | Radiation Lab | Kresge Law