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.

Fish on a shield

Heraldry, Naiant

Fish on a shield

Shield with a rearing lion.

Heraldry, Rampant

Shield with a rearing lion.

Trippant, depicts a male deer.

Heraldry, Trippant

Trippant, depicts a male deer.

Depicts a bird in flight.

Heraldry, Volant

Depicts a bird in flight.

"Azure, a moon increscent argent. INCRESCENT. The new moon, with her horns turned towards the dexter side of the shield." -Hall, 1862

Increscent

"Azure, a moon increscent argent. INCRESCENT. The new moon, with her horns turned towards the dexter…

"Argent, three inescutcheons gules. INESCUTCHEON. The name given to small escutcheons forming a bearing of a coat of arms." -Hall, 1862

Inescutcheons

"Argent, three inescutcheons gules. INESCUTCHEON. The name given to small escutcheons forming a bearing…

An ancient pen and ink holder.

Penner and Inkhorn

An ancient pen and ink holder.

"The Heir, or first son, the LABEL. 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

Label Difference

"The Heir, or first son, the LABEL. The differences used by armorists at the present time are nine in…

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

The Label

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

"Argent, a lamb passant, carrying a banner charged with a cross. PASCHAL LAMB, or HOLY LAMB." -Hall, 1862

Paschal Lamb

"Argent, a lamb passant, carrying a banner charged with a cross. PASCHAL LAMB, or HOLY LAMB." -Hall,…

"Azure, three laurel leaves slipped, argent. SLIPPED. Torn from the stock or branch." -Hall, 1862

Leaves Slipped

"Azure, three laurel leaves slipped, argent. SLIPPED. Torn from the stock or branch." -Hall, 1862

"Argent, a leg erased at the midst of the thigh gules. ERASED. Signifies any thing torn or plucked off from the part to which nature affixed it; generally applied to the head and limbs of man or beast." -Hall, 1862

Leg Erased

"Argent, a leg erased at the midst of the thigh gules. ERASED. Signifies any thing torn or plucked off…

"Argent, three legs armed, conjoined at the fess point at the upper extremity of the thigh, flexed in a triangle, garnished and spurred, or. CONJOINED. Joined together." -Hall, 1862

Legs Conjoined

"Argent, three legs armed, conjoined at the fess point at the upper extremity of the thigh, flexed in…

"The lion holds an important place among the animals born in coat-armor. As early as the 12th century, the king of beasts was assumed as an appropriate emblem by the sovereigns of England, Scotland, Norway, Denmark, the native princes of Wales, the counts of Flanders and Holland, and various other European potentates." — Chambers, 1881

Lion

"The lion holds an important place among the animals born in coat-armor. As early as the 12th century,…

"The lion holds an important place among the animals born in coat-armor. As early as the 12th century, the king of beasts was assumed as an appropriate emblem by the sovereigns of England, Scotland, Norway, Denmark, the native princes of Wales, the counts of Flanders and Holland, and various other European potentates." — Chambers, 1881

Lion

"The lion holds an important place among the animals born in coat-armor. As early as the 12th century,…

"Lion couchant. COUCHANT. The French word for lying down with the breast towards the earth, and the head raised." -Hall, 1862

Lion Couchant

"Lion couchant. COUCHANT. The French word for lying down with the breast towards the earth, and the…

"Argent, a lion rampant guardant gules, debruised by a fess azure. DEBRUISED. Any animal that has an ordinary placed upon it is said to be debruised." -Hall, 1862

Lion Debruised

"Argent, a lion rampant guardant gules, debruised by a fess azure. DEBRUISED. Any animal that has an…

"Lion dormant. DORMANT. The French word for sleeping, used to denote the posture of a lion, or any other beast reposing." -Hall, 1862

Lion Dormant

"Lion dormant. DORMANT. The French word for sleeping, used to denote the posture of a lion, or any other…

"Or, from the midst of a fess, gules, a lion rampant naissant. NAISSANT. A French word signifying coming out. It is used when a lion or any other animal appears to be rising out of the centre of an ordinary." -Hall, 1862

Lion Naissant

"Or, from the midst of a fess, gules, a lion rampant naissant. NAISSANT. A French word signifying coming…

"Lion passant. PASSANT. Passing or walking." -Hall, 1862

Lion Passant

"Lion passant. PASSANT. Passing or walking." -Hall, 1862

"Lion rampant. RAMPANT. Any beast in a fighting attitude." -Hall, 1862

Lion Rampant

"Lion rampant. RAMPANT. Any beast in a fighting attitude." -Hall, 1862

"Lion rampant double-headed. RAMPANT. Any beast in a fighting attitude." -Hall, 1862

Lion Rampant Double-Headed

"Lion rampant double-headed. RAMPANT. Any beast in a fighting attitude." -Hall, 1862

"Lion rampant gardant. RAMPANT. Any beast in a fighting attitude." GARDANT. Facing foward. -Hall, 1862

Lion Rampant Gardant

"Lion rampant gardant. RAMPANT. Any beast in a fighting attitude." GARDANT. Facing foward. -Hall, 1862

"Lion rampant regardant. RAMPANT. Any beast in a fighting attitude. REGARDANT. An animal looking towards the sinister side of the shield. " -Hall, 1862

Lion Rampant Regardant

"Lion rampant regardant. RAMPANT. Any beast in a fighting attitude. REGARDANT. An animal looking towards…

"Lion salient. SALIENT. An animal springing forward." -Hall, 1862

Lion Salient

"Lion salient. SALIENT. An animal springing forward." -Hall, 1862

"Lion sejant. SEJANT. French word for sitting." -Hall, 1862

Lion Sejant

"Lion sejant. SEJANT. French word for sitting." -Hall, 1862

"Lion statant gardant. STATANT. An animal standing still with all its legs on the ground." GARDANT. Facing forward. -Hall, 1862

Lion Statant Gardant

"Lion statant gardant. STATANT. An animal standing still with all its legs on the ground." GARDANT.…

"The lion holds an important place among the animals born in coat-armor. As early as the 12th century, the king of beasts was assumed as an appropriate emblem by the sovereigns of England, Scotland, Norway, Denmark, the native princes of Wales, the counts of Flanders and Holland, and various other European potentates." — Chambers, 1881

Gardant Lion

"The lion holds an important place among the animals born in coat-armor. As early as the 12th century,…

A common charge in heraldry. It generally symbolizes bravery, strength, and royalty.

Heraldic Lion

A common charge in heraldry. It generally symbolizes bravery, strength, and royalty.

The Heraldic Lion is designed by German painter Albrecht Durer.

Heraldic Lion

The Heraldic Lion is designed by German painter Albrecht Durer.

The Heraldic Lion is designed by German painter Albrecht Durer.

Heraldic Lion

The Heraldic Lion is designed by German painter Albrecht Durer.

"The lion holds an important place among the animals born in coat-armor. As early as the 12th century, the king of beasts was assumed as an appropriate emblem by the sovereigns of England, Scotland, Norway, Denmark, the native princes of Wales, the counts of Flanders and Holland, and various other European potentates." — Chambers, 1881

Passant Lion

"The lion holds an important place among the animals born in coat-armor. As early as the 12th century,…

"The lion holds an important place among the animals born in coat-armor. As early as the 12th century, the king of beasts was assumed as an appropriate emblem by the sovereigns of England, Scotland, Norway, Denmark, the native princes of Wales, the counts of Flanders and Holland, and various other European potentates." — Chambers, 1881

Rampant Lion

"The lion holds an important place among the animals born in coat-armor. As early as the 12th century,…

"The lion holds an important place among the animals born in coat-armor. As early as the 12th century, the king of beasts was assumed as an appropriate emblem by the sovereigns of England, Scotland, Norway, Denmark, the native princes of Wales, the counts of Flanders and Holland, and various other European potentates." — Chambers, 1881

Rampant Regardant Lion

"The lion holds an important place among the animals born in coat-armor. As early as the 12th century,…

"Two lioncels addorsed or back to back. LIONCELS. Two or more lions." -Hall, 1862

Lioncels Addorsed

"Two lioncels addorsed or back to back. LIONCELS. Two or more lions." -Hall, 1862

"Lioncels combatant. LIONCELS. Two or more lions. COMBATANT. A French word for fighting." -Hall, 1862

Lioncels Combatant

"Lioncels combatant. LIONCELS. Two or more lions. COMBATANT. A French word for fighting." -Hall, 1862

"Or, two lions passant counter passant gules, the uppermost facing the sinister side of the escutcheon, both collared sable, garnished argent. COUNTER PASSANT. Two animals passing the contrary way to each other." -Hall, 1862

Lions Counter Passant

"Or, two lions passant counter passant gules, the uppermost facing the sinister side of the escutcheon,…

"An incorporated lion gardant in the fess point." -Hall, 1862

Incorporated Lions Gardant

"An incorporated lion gardant in the fess point." -Hall, 1862

"Argent, a manche, gules. MANCHE. An ancient sleeve with long hangings to it." -Hall, 1862

Manche

"Argent, a manche, gules. MANCHE. An ancient sleeve with long hangings to it." -Hall, 1862

"Argent, a martlet, gules. MARTLET. An imaginary bird said to be without legs; it is used both as a charge and a difference." -Hall, 1862

Martlet

"Argent, a martlet, gules. MARTLET. An imaginary bird said to be without legs; it is used both as a…

"Fourth Son, the MARTLET. 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

Martlet Difference

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

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

The Martlet

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

"Argent, a mermaid gules, crined or. CRINED. This is said of an animal whose hair is of a different tincture from its body." -Hall, 1862

Mermaid Crined

"Argent, a mermaid gules, crined or. CRINED. This is said of an animal whose hair is of a different…

"Argent, a millrind, gules. MILLRIND. The iron placed in the centre of a grindstone to protect the hole in the centre from the action of the axis; it is a charge frequently borne on escutcheons of persons connected with agriculture." -Hall, 1862

Millrind

"Argent, a millrind, gules. MILLRIND. The iron placed in the centre of a grindstone to protect the hole…

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

The Cross Moline

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

"Azure, a moon decrescent, proper. DECRESSANT, or DECRESCENT. A moon in its wane, whose horns are turned to the sinister side of the escutcheon." -Hall, 1862

Moon Decrescent

"Azure, a moon decrescent, proper. DECRESSANT, or DECRESCENT. A moon in its wane, whose horns are turned…

"Argent, the moon in her detriment sable. DETRIMENT. The moon is said to be in its detriment when it is eclipsed." -Hall, 1862

Moon Detriment

"Argent, the moon in her detriment sable. DETRIMENT. The moon is said to be in its detriment when it…

"MOUND. A globe encircled with a band and surmounted with a cross; it is an ensign of royalty, signifying dominion." -Hall, 1862

Mound

"MOUND. A globe encircled with a band and surmounted with a cross; it is an ensign of royalty, signifying…

"Azure, a mullet or. MULLET. From the French word molette, the rowel of a spur: it is generally drawn with five points, as in the annexed example: when more points are used they are named." -Hall, 1862

Mullet

"Azure, a mullet or. MULLET. From the French word molette, the rowel of a spur: it is generally drawn…

"Third Son, the MULLET. 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

Mullet Difference

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

"Argent, a mullet pierced, sable, on a chief azure, three mullets pierced, of the first. PIERCED OR PERFORATED. Cut through the centre." -Hall, 1862

Mulllet Pierced

"Argent, a mullet pierced, sable, on a chief azure, three mullets pierced, of the first. PIERCED OR…

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

The Mullet

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

"Argent, three mullets gules, accompanied with seven cross crosslets fitchy sable—three in chief, one in fess, two in flanks, one in base. FLANK. That part of an escutcheon between the chief and the base." -Hall, 1862

Mullets and Cross Crosslets

"Argent, three mullets gules, accompanied with seven cross crosslets fitchy sable—three in chief,…

"Per pale, or and azure, on a chevron, three mullets all counter-changed. COUNTER-CHANGED. The intermixture of metal with colours opposed to each other." -Hall, 1862

Mullets Counter-Changed

"Per pale, or and azure, on a chevron, three mullets all counter-changed. COUNTER-CHANGED. The intermixture…

"Argent, a salmon proper, naiant, its head towards the sinister side of the shield. NAIANT. A French term for swimming. This term is used in Heraldry when a fish is drawn in an horizontal position." -Hall, 1862

Naiant

"Argent, a salmon proper, naiant, its head towards the sinister side of the shield. NAIANT. A French…

"Argent, a pelican's head, erased, vulning. VULNING. Any creature in the act of wounding itself." -Hall, 1862

Pelican Vulning

"Argent, a pelican's head, erased, vulning. VULNING. Any creature in the act of wounding itself." -Hall,…

"Argent, a pheon proper. PHEON. A missile instrument with a barbed head, thrown from a cross bow." -Hall, 1862

Pheon

"Argent, a pheon proper. PHEON. A missile instrument with a barbed head, thrown from a cross bow." -Hall,…

"The barbed head of a spear or arrow, engrailed on the inner side. The point of the spear is placed in base."—Aveling, 1891

Pheon

"The barbed head of a spear or arrow, engrailed on the inner side. The point of the spear is placed…

"POMMELLED. The pommel of the sword is the round ball or knob at the end of the hilt of a sword." -Hall, 1862

Pommelled

"POMMELLED. The pommel of the sword is the round ball or knob at the end of the hilt of a sword." -Hall,…

"PORTCULLIS. A grating suspended by chains, used to defend the entrance to a castle." -Hall, 1862

Portcullis

"PORTCULLIS. A grating suspended by chains, used to defend the entrance to a castle." -Hall, 1862