blazon

heraldry

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June 22, 2026

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In heraldry, a blazon is the technical term for the verbal description of a coat of arms. It details the symbols, colors, and arrangements of imagery, such as crosses or lions, that appear on shields, banners, and armor. The practice of blazoning, along with the term heraldry itself, originated in medieval England from French influences.1

A blazon begins by identifying the field of the shield, followed by the charges (symbols) placed upon it. For example, a blazon might describe a black field with a furred chevron and three silver lions with gold crowns. The description follows a specific, often concise, language to economize words while providing a clear visual representation of the heraldic design.2

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heraldry
The nature and origins of heraldic terminology
Heraldic descriptions are called blazons. The term is derived from the French blason, the etymology of which is uncertain. Originally it denoted the shield of arms itself and still retains that meaning, but it is now generally used in a derivative sense as meaning the description of the arms.…
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Heraldic descriptions are called blazons. The term is derived from the French blason, the etymology of which is uncertain. Originally it denoted the shield of arms itself and still retains that meaning, but it is now generally used in a derivative sense as meaning the description of the arms.…
Read More