fess
heraldry
Quick Summary
Types of divisions between tinctures
There are other divisions besides those shown. A line described as flory or as flory counterflory employs a series of small fleurs-de-lis that have substance of their own beyond the two areas being divided. Rayonny (or rayonné) may alternate straight points with curved points.
In heraldry, a fess is a broad horizontal band that crosses the middle of a shield. It is considered an "honorable ordinary," meaning it is a simple geometric shape with precedence in heraldic descriptions. The fess is a significant charge on a shield, and its placement is central. The term "fess point" specifically refers to the exact center of the heraldic field. While the fess is a common charge, variations and other elements can be placed above or below it.1234
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