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This ClipArt gallery offers 243 illustrations of charges that would typically be seen in heraldry. A charge is any image, normally an animal, person, or plant, that is on the shield of a coat of arms.

"Argent, an allerion gules. ALLERION. An eagle displayed, without beak or feet." -Hall, 1862

Allerion

"Argent, an allerion gules. ALLERION. An eagle displayed, without beak or feet." -Hall, 1862

"This charge is borne with a cable, and set fesse-wise, by the British Admiralty; but it is usual to place it in pale, and it depicted without a cable, unless the contrary is specified."—Aveling, 1891

Anchor

"This charge is borne with a cable, and set fesse-wise, by the British Admiralty; but it is usual to…

"Azure, an annulet argent. Annulets are added to arms for a difference. ANNULET. A small circle borne as a charge in coats of arms." -Hall, 1862

Annulet

"Azure, an annulet argent. Annulets are added to arms for a difference. ANNULET. A small circle borne…

"From annulus, a ring. A mark of difference of the fifth son."—Aveling, 1891

Annulet

"From annulus, a ring. A mark of difference of the fifth son."—Aveling, 1891

"Fifth Son, the ANNULET. The differences used by armorists at the present time are nine in number. They not only distinguish the sons of one family, but also denote the subordinate degrees in each house." -Hall, 1862

Annulet Difference

"Fifth Son, the ANNULET. The differences used by armorists at the present time are nine in number. They…

The heraldic charge borne by the fifth eldest son in a family.

The Annulet

The heraldic charge borne by the fifth eldest son in a family.

"Azure, a dexter arm vambraced couped, the fist clenched proper. CLENCHED. The fingers pressed towards the palm of the hand." -Hall, 1862

Arm with Fist Clenched

"Azure, a dexter arm vambraced couped, the fist clenched proper. CLENCHED. The fingers pressed towards…

"Argent. Three arrows proper, banded. BANDED. Anything tied with a band." -Hall, 1862

Arrows Banded

"Argent. Three arrows proper, banded. BANDED. Anything tied with a band." -Hall, 1862

"Ermine, on a chevron azure, three foxes' heads erased, argent. The augmentation is in a canton azure, a fleur-de-lis argent. AUGMENTATION. This word signifies in Heraldry a particular mark of honour, granted by the sovereign in consideration of some noble action, or by favour; and either quartered with the family arms, or on an escutcheon or canton." -Hall, 1862

Augmentation

"Ermine, on a chevron azure, three foxes' heads erased, argent. The augmentation is in a canton azure,…

"Bar-sinister. BATON-SINISTER, a well-known heraldic indication of illegitimacy. It is a diminutive of a Bend-sinister, one-fourth of its width, and couped at the ends." -Hazeltine, 1894

Baton Sinister

"Bar-sinister. BATON-SINISTER, a well-known heraldic indication of illegitimacy. It is a diminutive…

"The only abatement used in heraldry is the baton: this denotes illegitimacy. It is borne in the escutcheons of the dukes that assume the royal arms as the illegitimate descendants of King Charles the Second." -Hall, 1862

Shield Showing Baton

"The only abatement used in heraldry is the baton: this denotes illegitimacy. It is borne in the escutcheons…

"Argent, a battering ram proper. BATTERING RAM. An instrument used for battering down walls before gunpowder was known in Europe: it is frequently borne as a charge in a coat of arms." -Hall, 1862

Battering Ram

"Argent, a battering ram proper. BATTERING RAM. An instrument used for battering down walls before gunpowder…

"Argent, three battle axes gules two over one. BATTLE AXE. An ancient military weapon, frequently borne on arms as a mark of prowess." -Hall, 1862

Battle Axe

"Argent, three battle axes gules two over one. BATTLE AXE. An ancient military weapon, frequently borne…

"Argent, a barrulet gules, belled with three bells proper. BELLED. Having bells." -Hall, 1862

Barrulet Belled

"Argent, a barrulet gules, belled with three bells proper. BELLED. Having bells." -Hall, 1862

"Gules, three bezants figured. FIGURED. Those bearings which are depicted with a human face, are said to be figured." -Hall, 1862

Bezants Figured

"Gules, three bezants figured. FIGURED. Those bearings which are depicted with a human face, are said…

"Argent, three billets azure, two over one. BILLETS. This charge is, by some authors, supposed to represent tiles or bricks; by others that it represents a letter or billet. The name and form of the charge most accords with the latter opinion." -Hall, 1862

Billets

"Argent, three billets azure, two over one. BILLETS. This charge is, by some authors, supposed to represent…

"VOLANT. The French word for flying. It is used in Heraldry to express the same action." -Hall, 1862

Bird Volant

"VOLANT. The French word for flying. It is used in Heraldry to express the same action." -Hall, 1862

"Argent, a boar's head proper couped. COUPED. The head or limbs of any animal cut close is called couped." -Hall, 1862

Boar Couped

"Argent, a boar's head proper couped. COUPED. The head or limbs of any animal cut close is called couped."…

"Argent, a boar's head, erased proper, tusked gules. TUSKED. Any animal having tusks of a different tincture from its body is said to he tusked." -Hall, 1862

Boar Tusked

"Argent, a boar's head, erased proper, tusked gules. TUSKED. Any animal having tusks of a different…

"Argent, a boar's head erect, and erased. ERECT. This is said of any animal or parts of animals, naturally horizontal, being placed in a perpendicular direction." -Hall, 1862

Boar's Head Erect

"Argent, a boar's head erect, and erased. ERECT. This is said of any animal or parts of animals, naturally…

"Argent, a boujet proper. BOUJET. An ancient water bucket, frequently borne in shields of arms." -Hall, 1862

Boujet

"Argent, a boujet proper. BOUJET. An ancient water bucket, frequently borne in shields of arms." -Hall,…

"Argent, a broad arrow gules. BROAD ARROW. An ancient weapon of war, thrown by an engine. It is frequently borne as a charge in coats of arms." -Hall, 1862

Broad Arrow

"Argent, a broad arrow gules. BROAD ARROW. An ancient weapon of war, thrown by an engine. It is frequently…

"Argent, a caltrop proper. CALTROP. An iron instrument made to annoy an enemy's cavalry. They were formed of iron, being four spikes conjoined in such a manner that one was always upwards. It is found in many ancient coats of arms." -Hall, 1862

Caltrop

"Argent, a caltrop proper. CALTROP. An iron instrument made to annoy an enemy's cavalry. They were formed…

"CANTON. The French word for corner. It is a small square figure, generally placed at the dexter chief of the shield, as in the annexed example." -Hall, 1862

Canton

"CANTON. The French word for corner. It is a small square figure, generally placed at the dexter chief…

"Argent, a chaplet proper. CHAPLET. An ancient ornament for the head, granted to gallant knights for acts of courtesy. It is frequently borne as a charge in a shield of arms, and always tinted in its natural colours." -Hall, 1862

Chaplet

"Argent, a chaplet proper. CHAPLET. An ancient ornament for the head, granted to gallant knights for…

Human legs are not unfrequently born as charges in Heraldry, sometimes naked, sometimes booted, and they may even be couped.

Charge

Human legs are not unfrequently born as charges in Heraldry, sometimes naked, sometimes booted, and…

"CINQUE FOIL. Five leaves conjoined in the centre." -Hall, 1862

Cinque Foil

"CINQUE FOIL. Five leaves conjoined in the centre." -Hall, 1862

"Azure, three clarions or. CLARION. A horn or trumpet borne in this shape in English and German coat-armour." -Hall, 1862

Clarion

"Azure, three clarions or. CLARION. A horn or trumpet borne in this shape in English and German coat-armour."…

"CLOSE. A bird with its wings closed." -Hall, 1862

Close

"CLOSE. A bird with its wings closed." -Hall, 1862

"Gules, an angel erect with wings expanded or, dress closegirt. CLOSEGIRT. A figure whose dress is fastened round the waist." -Hall, 1862

Closegirt

"Gules, an angel erect with wings expanded or, dress closegirt. CLOSEGIRT. A figure whose dress is fastened…

This Lion Coat of Arms is designed with inlayed marble work. It was found in St. Croce, Florence, Italy, during the Italian Renaissance.

Lion Coat of Arms

This Lion Coat of Arms is designed with inlayed marble work. It was found in St. Croce, Florence, Italy,…

This Lion Coat of Arms is designed with an intarsia panel. It was found in St. Maria Novella, Florence, Italy, during the Italian Renaissance.

Lion Coat of Arms

This Lion Coat of Arms is designed with an intarsia panel. It was found in St. Maria Novella, Florence,…

"COCKATRICE. A chimerical animal, a cock with a dragon's tail and wings." -Hall, 1862

Cockatrice

"COCKATRICE. A chimerical animal, a cock with a dragon's tail and wings." -Hall, 1862

"Two or more annulets interlacing each other."—Aveling, 1891

Annulet Conjoined

"Two or more annulets interlacing each other."—Aveling, 1891

"Degraded means placed upon degrees, or steps."—Aveling, 1891

Cross Nowed, Degraded and Conjoined

"Degraded means placed upon degrees, or steps."—Aveling, 1891

"Azure, a crescent argent. CRESCENT. The half moon with its horns turned upwards." -Hall, 1862

Crescent

"Azure, a crescent argent. CRESCENT. The half moon with its horns turned upwards." -Hall, 1862

"A half-moon shaped charge, with its horns turned upwards."—Aveling, 1891

Crescent

"A half-moon shaped charge, with its horns turned upwards."—Aveling, 1891

"Second Son, the CRESCENT. The differences used by armorists at the present time are nine in number. They not only distinguish the sons of one family, but also denote the subordinate degrees in each house." -Hall, 1862

Crescent Difference

"Second Son, the CRESCENT. The differences used by armorists at the present time are nine in number.…

The heraldic charge borne by the second eldest son in a family.

The Crescent

The heraldic charge borne by the second eldest son in a family.

"Cross bottonny. CROSS. An honourable ordinary, more used as a charge in a coat of arms than any of the others." -Hall, 1862

Cross Bottonny

"Cross bottonny. CROSS. An honourable ordinary, more used as a charge in a coat of arms than any of…

"Azure, a cross couped argent. COUPED. From the French word couper, to cut. The cross in the example is couped, part of it being cut off, so as not to touch the edges of the shield." -Hall, 1862

Cross Couped

"Azure, a cross couped argent. COUPED. From the French word couper, to cut. The cross in the example…

"Cross crosslet. CROSS. An honourable ordinary, more used as a charge in a coat of arms than any of the others." -Hall, 1862

Cross Crosslet

"Cross crosslet. CROSS. An honourable ordinary, more used as a charge in a coat of arms than any of…

"Cross Crosslet on Grieces. GRIECE. In heraldry, a degree or step, as one of the steps upon which crosses are sometimes placed." -Whitney, 1911

Cross Crosslet on Grieces

"Cross Crosslet on Grieces. GRIECE. In heraldry, a degree or step, as one of the steps upon which crosses…

A Cross double-parted.

Cross Double-Parted

A Cross double-parted.

A Cross engrailed.

Cross Engrailed

A Cross engrailed.

"Cross fitchy. CROSS. An honourable ordinary, more used as a charge in a coat of arms than any of the others." -Hall, 1862

Cross Fitchy

"Cross fitchy. CROSS. An honourable ordinary, more used as a charge in a coat of arms than any of the…

A Cross flamant.

Cross Flamant

A Cross flamant.

A heraldic shield with a charge cross in which the extremities terminate with fleurs-de-lis.

Cross Fleur-De-Lis

A heraldic shield with a charge cross in which the extremities terminate with fleurs-de-lis.

"A Cross Fleury, or Fleurie, is borne in the arms of Lord Brougham and Vaux. It is not very unlike the Cross Patonce, but the extremities are less spreading."—Aveling, 1891

Cross Fleury

"A Cross Fleury, or Fleurie, is borne in the arms of Lord Brougham and Vaux. It is not very unlike the…

"Cross flory. CROSS. An honourable ordinary, more used as a charge in a coat of arms than any of the others." -Hall, 1862

Cross Flory

"Cross flory. CROSS. An honourable ordinary, more used as a charge in a coat of arms than any of the…

"In heraldry, forked; having the extremities divided into two: said of any bearing, especially of a cross." -Whitney, 1911

Cross Fourché

"In heraldry, forked; having the extremities divided into two: said of any bearing, especially of a…

"Eighth Son, the CROSS MOLINE. The differences used by armorists at the present time are nine in number. They not only distinguish the sons of one family, but also denote the subordinate degrees in each house." -Hall, 1862

Cross Moline

"Eighth Son, the CROSS MOLINE. The differences used by armorists at the present time are nine in number.…

"Cross moline. CROSS. An honourable ordinary, more used as a charge in a coat of arms than any of the others." -Hall, 1862

Cross Moline

"Cross moline. CROSS. An honourable ordinary, more used as a charge in a coat of arms than any of the…

"Cross of Calvary. CROSS. An honourable ordinary, more used as a charge in a coat of arms than any of the others." -Hall, 1862

Cross of Calvary

"Cross of Calvary. CROSS. An honourable ordinary, more used as a charge in a coat of arms than any of…

A heraldic shield with a charge of a cross with four ermine spots.

Cross of Four Ermine Spots

A heraldic shield with a charge of a cross with four ermine spots.

A heraldic shield with a Cross patée charge.

Cross Patée

A heraldic shield with a Cross patée charge.

A variation of the heraldic charge Cross patée, with concave colors.

Cross Patée Concaved

A variation of the heraldic charge Cross patée, with concave colors.

"Cross patonce. CROSS. An honourable ordinary, more used as a charge in a coat of arms than any of the others." -Hall, 1862

Cross Patonce

"Cross patonce. CROSS. An honourable ordinary, more used as a charge in a coat of arms than any of the…

"Cross patriarchal. CROSS. An honourable ordinary, more used as a charge in a coat of arms than any of the others." -Hall, 1862

Cross Patriarchal

"Cross patriarchal. CROSS. An honourable ordinary, more used as a charge in a coat of arms than any…

"Cross pattee. CROSS. An honourable ordinary, more used as a charge in a coat of arms than any of the others." -Hall, 1862

Cross Pattee

"Cross pattee. CROSS. An honourable ordinary, more used as a charge in a coat of arms than any of the…