charge

Heraldry is a system of hereditary symbols that originated in early medieval Europe, primarily used to identify individuals in battle. It evolved to signify family lineage, adoption, alliances, and property ownership. The term "coat of arms" comes from the surcoat, a tunic worn over armor that displayed the bearer's symbols.

A coat of arms, more accurately called an heraldic achievement, includes a shield with various charges (designs). These charges can be honorable ordinaries (geometric shapes like chevrons or fesses) or other figures such as animals, birds, or inanimate objects. The field of the shield and its charges are depicted using specific tinctures, which include metals (gold/yellow and silver/white), colors (red, blue, black, green, purple), and furs (like ermine and vair). Heraldic terminology often uses quasi-French and archaic language, with terms like "dexter" and "sinister" referring to right and left from the bearer's perspective.123