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.

savage's head

a savage's head

blackamoor or Moor's head

a blackamoor
or Moor's head

Saracen's head

a Saracen's head

woman

a woman's head and bust

Virgin Mary and child

the Virgin Mary and Christ 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.

dexter hand

a dexter hand

sinister hand

a sinister hand

dexter hand in benediction

a dexter hand
in benediction

arm embowed

an arm embowed

arm embowed to the dexter

an arm embowed
to the dexter

arm embowed fessways

an arm embowed
fessways

arm embowed, upper part in fess

an arm embowed the upper part in fess

arm counter-embowed

two arms
counter-embowed

arms counter-bowed and interlaced

two arms counter-embowed and interlaced

arm embowed in armor

an arm embowed in armor

cubit arm

a cubit arm

arm couped at elbow

an arm couped at the elbow

cubit arm habited

a cubit arm habited

cubit arm in armor

a cubit arm in armor, the hand in a gauntlet

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