pale

heraldry

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June 17, 2026

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In heraldry, a pale is a perpendicular stripe on a shield. Heraldry itself is the system of hereditary symbols used to distinguish individuals and institutions, originating from medieval warfare for identification on flags and shields. These symbols, known as armorial bearings or coats of arms, evolved to denote family lineage, alliances, and ownership.123

The field of a shield is its background, which can be one of several metals (gold or silver), colors (red, blue, green, purple, or black), or furs (like ermine or vair). Charges, or designs, are placed upon this field. Heraldic terminology often uses archaic French terms, though English became more common over time.4

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heraldry
Ordinaries
…third of the shield; the pale, a third of the shield, drawn perpendicularly through the center; the bend, a third of the shield, drawn from the dexter chief to sinister base (when drawn from the dexter base to sinister chief, it is a bend sinister); the fess, a third drawn…
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…third of the shield; the pale, a third of the shield, drawn perpendicularly through the center; the bend, a third of the shield, drawn from the dexter chief to sinister base (when drawn from the dexter base to sinister chief, it is a bend sinister); the fess, a third drawn…
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