SCA - West Kingdom College of Heralds

Heraldic Templates -- 'Other Charges'

The following links are to pages that contain images that you can use to help design your armory -- this set of images are for all charges that do not fit into other categories as they are used in heraldry. Note that due to size, this will be broken down, and links at the bottom of this page (and at the top) will take you to other groups of charges. These are all listed alphabetically ...

Instructions (please read):

If you want to use this for your heraldic submission, or print it for any reason, click on the 'PDF File' link -- a new browser window will open, and you can print from there.
- If you want to use the image for your own armory submission, these should be sized to be close to the submission forms, and you can trace over them. For straight lines you might want to use a ruler to help.

Note that printing the GIF Files probably will not provide images that are the correct size for the heraldic submission forms.

The descriptions of the charges below are all taken from The Pictorial Dictionary of Heraldry ...¹, and rather than having a 'footnote' for each, we have one. Note that not all of the detail in the Pictorial Dictionary has been included in the text given ...

Note: These are not done yet -- the links are here to make it easier for Hirsch, rather than having to keep adding them ... this is a work in progress.

[Abacus to Burnisher] [Caduceus to Cushion] [Distaff to Gyron] [Hammer to Keyhole]
[Label to Net] [Oar to Rudder] [Saddle to Stream] [Tablet to Yoke]

Tablet     A tablet is a flat slab of plaque, suitable for enscription or engraving. The most recognizable forms are the tablets on which Moses brought the Ten Commandments down from Sinai; they are thus sometimes, more completely, caleld Mosaic tablets. Though in Society armory tablets are usually shown in conjoined pairs, the fact is always blazoned.

        PDF File

Tablet, Weaver's     A weaver's tablet is a small card with holes, used to separate warp threads in a hand loom. The SCA default form is more fully blazoned a square weaver's tablet, with four holes arranged two and two. Though the artifact dates from Viking times, it does not appear to have been used in period armory.

        PDF File

Thimble     A thimble is a small cap of metal or leather, worn on the fingertip to protect it from needles' ends. The medieval thimble, made of brass, was identical in form to the modern thimble; it opens to base by default. Though a period artifact, the thimble does not appear to have been used as a period charge.

        PDF File

Tongs     Tongs are a tool for grasping hot objects, having two long arms pivoted or hinged together; in mundane heraldry, they are also called pincers. They are found in the canting arms of Zänger, 1413. Tons have their handles to base by default.

        PDF File

Torch     A torch is a source of light, consisting of a twist of hemp soaked in oil, and set in a wooden holder; it is also called a flambeau. The torch is always enflamed, or lit, even when not explicitly blazoned so.
     Variants of the torch include the cresset, a metal holder for lamp oil, which in period was set on a wall; and the rushlight, a reed whose pith is soaked in oil, and whose upper end is lit.

        PDF File

Torque     A torque, or torc, is a piece of Celtic jewelry, a stiff necklace of precious metal wires twisted together. The opening is to base by SCA default.

        PDF File

Tricune     A tricune is a charge unique to Society heraldry, but based on an old German-Norse design motif; it consists of three passion nails conjoined in pall inverted.

        PDF File

Triquetra     A triquetra is a design from ecclesiastical art, where it is a symbol of the Trinity. It consists of three semi-circular arcs interlaced, the ends conjoined. The triquetra has a point to chief by default.

        PDF File

Triskelion     A triskelion is a design first used in classical Greek art, with three embowed limbs conjoined in pall. The name means "three legs", and the classical form does indeed use three bent legs, conjoined at the thighs. However, mundane blazonry does not use this definition; most instances are blazoned as "three arms" or "three legs" conjoined, and listed as such in mundane ordinaries.
     In Society heraldry, the most common form of triskelion is the triskelion arrondi, sometimes simply called a triskele: three pointed limbs, smoothly curved and embowed. (The embowment is part of the definition; without it, the design would simply be three charges conjoined in pall.)
     There is also found the triskelion pommetty and the triskelion gammadion in annulo, whose blazons are based on certain crosses. Presumably, one could have a triskelion fleury as well, or some other trikselion based on a variant of cross.
     Triskelions may also be made up of other charges, so long as they are bent or embowed. Thus there might be a triskelion of spirals, a triskelion of three scarves, a triskelion of dragon's heads, or a triskelion of chevrons.
     Similar to the triskelion is the pentaskelion, which, as its name implies, has five limbs instead of three.
     Triskelions may turn either clockwise or counter-clickwise; the fact is not blazoned. The most famous mundane triskelion, in the arms of the Isle of Man, has been depicted in period art going either direction; and the same is true of triskeles in Society heraldry. It is left to the artist's license, and no difference is counted for it.

        PDF File

Trivet     A trivet is a three-legged stand for holding pots, etc. Trivets are often ornamental, and may be round or triangular; either form is acceptable. The trivet is found in the canting arms of Tryvette, as early as 1295; it is normally drawn in an early attempt at perspective, showing the top to the viewer, with all three legs visible.
     There is also the tripod, similar to the trivet, but larger and tetrahedral in outline; it usually encloses a load, instead of resting underneath it.

        PDF File

Trowel     A trowel is a small hand-tool used by gardeners and masons, for spreading, scooping, or smoothing. It is a period charge, found in the arms of the Worshipful Company of Pasterers, 1545. The trowel has its handle to base by SCA default, with the blade flat-on to the viewer.

        PDF File

Tub     A tub is a wide, low vessel, made of wooden staves or metal; it was usually used for washing, either cloths or persons. In Society armory, the default tub is the lower half of an upright barrel. There is also the bath tub, based on the Roman design.

        PDF File

Vair-Bell     A vair-bell is a single segment of the vair field. It is usually drawn in a stylized angular manner, with the point to chief.

        PDF File

Vajhra     A vajhra is a short bar of metal or carved, with clawed ends; it is a Buddhist priest's holy symbol cum weapon, and is also known as a priest's lightning bolt. It is found as a charge in Japanese Mon.

        PDF File

Valknut     A valknut is a Norse artistic motif, consisting of three triangles voided and interlaced. As an heraldic charge, it is unique to the SCA.

        PDF File

Vase     A vase is a decorative container, generally long and slender, and chiefly used for holding flowers.

        PDF File

Wagon     A wagon is a four-wheeled cart for carrying goods, usually made to be drawn by a horse. Its proper coloration is brown, the color of wood; it faces dexter by default.
     Variants of the wagon include the pageant wagon, a wheeled litter, with curtains and ornamentation; and the war-wagon, with an embattled top and arrow slits.

        PDF File

Water-Bouget     A water-bouget is a pair of water bags on a yoke, drawn in a highly stylized heraldic form; it is one of the most ancient of charges, dating from 1244. There are several period depictions of the water-bouget; no difference is counted between them.

        PDF File

Wave     A wave is a crest or swell on the surface of a body of water.
     In Japanese Mon, the nami or Great Wave is ... permitted in Society heraldry, though only in SCA Mon.
     The SCA default for waves has changed over the years; both dexter-facing and sinister-facing waves have been called the default. ... Current Society practice is to blazon the wave's posture explicitly.

        PDF File

Wheel     A wheel is a circular spoked frame, attached to an axle by its hub and permitted to spin freely. Sets of wheels are normally found attached to wagons, but wheels are often found as charges in their own right. The default wheel is more fully blazoned a wagon-wheel or cartwheel, and is found as early as 1413. The number of spokes is usually left to the license of the artist -- six or eight spokes seem to be the norm -- but sometimes the number is explicitly blazoned. The wheel's proper coloration is brown, the color of wood.
     Variants of th ewheel include the Catherine's wheel, the symbol of the martyr St. Catherine, with curved knife-blades radiating from the rim, used as an heraldic charge in 1275. There is the cog-wheel, also called a gear-wheel, used in mechanisms from tiny clockworks to mill-works; it is found in the canting arms of Mülinen c.1450. Finally, there is the water-wheel, with vanes on the outer edge to draw power from running water.

        PDF File

Wind     Winds are puffs of cloud with human heads, usually visibly blowing air from their mouths. The generic wind may also be called an aeolus; other types of wind include the boreas, an icy-bearded old man; the zephyr, an androgynous youth; and the mistral, which is female. Winds face dexter by default, and should be shown in profile (though some are affronty); they should never be in trian aspect.

        PDF File

Wool-Pack     A wool-pack, as the name implies, is a sack in which wool is packed and bundled; the packs were of standardized sizes, for ease of pricing. It was used as a charge by the Worshipful Company of Woomen as early as 1575.
     The wool-pack may also be called a bale or a wool-sack. If bound within a net of cords, it may also be called a bag in mundane armory; that term, however, is reserved in SCA blazonry for a string pouch or purse.
     The wool-pack is fesswise by default.

        PDF File

Xonecuilli     A xonecuilli is an Aztec motif representing a blue worm; it is palewise by SCA default. It is not found in mundane heraldry.

        PDF File

Yoke     A yoke is the piece of harness equipment that connects two draft animals side-by-side. An ox yoke is what is drawn for this, unless otherwise specified; it is a period charge, used as a badgeby Hay, Earls of Errol. The yoke is fesswise, by default; its proper coloration, as with all wooden charges, is brown.

        PDF File

[Abacus to Burnisher] [Caduceus to Cushion] [Distaff to Gyron] [Hammer to Keyhole]
[Label to Net] [Oar to Rudder] [Saddle to Stream] [Tablet to Yoke]

Footnotes:
¹ The Pictorial Dictionary of Heraldry as Used in the Society for Creative Anachronism, Inc., 2nd Edition, Bruce Draconarius of Mistholme and Akagawa Yoshio, 1992, self-published.

Disclaimer: All of these drawings are intended for use in the Society for Creative Anachronism, Inc., specifically for heraldic purposes. However, these pages do not delineate SCA College of Arms or West Kingdom College of Heralds policy. All attempts are made when describing or portraying the elements of armory used in these pages to be as accurate to both medieval and SCA usage as possible, but if you are not sure, you should check with the College of Arms or the College of Heralds. You may use these drawings "as is" for the purpose of designing heraldry for use within the SCA with this understanding. All decisions by the West Kingdom College of Heraldry and/or the SCA's College of Arms regarding the depictions used on your submission forms supercedes anything found here.

Heraldic Templates Main Page

Tablet	A tablet is a flat slab of plaque, suitable for enscription or engraving. The most recognizable forms are the tablets on which Moses brought the Ten Commandments down from Sinai; they are thus sometimes, more completely, caleld Mosaic tablets. Though in Society armory tablets are usually shown in conjoined pairs, the fact is always blazoned.
		PDF File

Tablet, Weaver's	A weaver's tablet is a small card with holes, used to separate warp threads in a hand loom. The SCA default form is more fully blazoned a square weaver's tablet, with four holes arranged two and two. Though the artifact dates from Viking times, it does not appear to have been used in period armory.
		PDF File

Thimble	A thimble is a small cap of metal or leather, worn on the fingertip to protect it from needles' ends. The medieval thimble, made of brass, was identical in form to the modern thimble; it opens to base by default. Though a period artifact, the thimble does not appear to have been used as a period charge.
		PDF File

Tongs	Tongs are a tool for grasping hot objects, having two long arms pivoted or hinged together; in mundane heraldry, they are also called pincers. They are found in the canting arms of Zänger, 1413. Tons have their handles to base by default.
		PDF File

Torch	A torch is a source of light, consisting of a twist of hemp soaked in oil, and set in a wooden holder; it is also called a flambeau. The torch is always enflamed, or lit, even when not explicitly blazoned so. Variants of the torch include the cresset, a metal holder for lamp oil, which in period was set on a wall; and the rushlight, a reed whose pith is soaked in oil, and whose upper end is lit.
		PDF File

Torque	A torque, or torc, is a piece of Celtic jewelry, a stiff necklace of precious metal wires twisted together. The opening is to base by SCA default.
		PDF File

Tricune	A tricune is a charge unique to Society heraldry, but based on an old German-Norse design motif; it consists of three passion nails conjoined in pall inverted.
		PDF File

Triquetra	A triquetra is a design from ecclesiastical art, where it is a symbol of the Trinity. It consists of three semi-circular arcs interlaced, the ends conjoined. The triquetra has a point to chief by default.
		PDF File

Triskelion	A triskelion is a design first used in classical Greek art, with three embowed limbs conjoined in pall. The name means "three legs", and the classical form does indeed use three bent legs, conjoined at the thighs. However, mundane blazonry does not use this definition; most instances are blazoned as "three arms" or "three legs" conjoined, and listed as such in mundane ordinaries. In Society heraldry, the most common form of triskelion is the triskelion arrondi, sometimes simply called a triskele: three pointed limbs, smoothly curved and embowed. (The embowment is part of the definition; without it, the design would simply be three charges conjoined in pall.) There is also found the triskelion pommetty and the triskelion gammadion in annulo, whose blazons are based on certain crosses. Presumably, one could have a triskelion fleury as well, or some other trikselion based on a variant of cross. Triskelions may also be made up of other charges, so long as they are bent or embowed. Thus there might be a triskelion of spirals, a triskelion of three scarves, a triskelion of dragon's heads, or a triskelion of chevrons. Similar to the triskelion is the pentaskelion, which, as its name implies, has five limbs instead of three. Triskelions may turn either clockwise or counter-clickwise; the fact is not blazoned. The most famous mundane triskelion, in the arms of the Isle of Man, has been depicted in period art going either direction; and the same is true of triskeles in Society heraldry. It is left to the artist's license, and no difference is counted for it.
		PDF File

Trivet	A trivet is a three-legged stand for holding pots, etc. Trivets are often ornamental, and may be round or triangular; either form is acceptable. The trivet is found in the canting arms of Tryvette, as early as 1295; it is normally drawn in an early attempt at perspective, showing the top to the viewer, with all three legs visible. There is also the tripod, similar to the trivet, but larger and tetrahedral in outline; it usually encloses a load, instead of resting underneath it.
		PDF File

Trowel	A trowel is a small hand-tool used by gardeners and masons, for spreading, scooping, or smoothing. It is a period charge, found in the arms of the Worshipful Company of Pasterers, 1545. The trowel has its handle to base by SCA default, with the blade flat-on to the viewer.
		PDF File

Tub	A tub is a wide, low vessel, made of wooden staves or metal; it was usually used for washing, either cloths or persons. In Society armory, the default tub is the lower half of an upright barrel. There is also the bath tub, based on the Roman design.
		PDF File

Vair-Bell	A vair-bell is a single segment of the vair field. It is usually drawn in a stylized angular manner, with the point to chief.
		PDF File

Vajhra	A vajhra is a short bar of metal or carved, with clawed ends; it is a Buddhist priest's holy symbol cum weapon, and is also known as a priest's lightning bolt. It is found as a charge in Japanese Mon.
		PDF File

Valknut	A valknut is a Norse artistic motif, consisting of three triangles voided and interlaced. As an heraldic charge, it is unique to the SCA.
		PDF File

Vase	A vase is a decorative container, generally long and slender, and chiefly used for holding flowers.
		PDF File

Wagon	A wagon is a four-wheeled cart for carrying goods, usually made to be drawn by a horse. Its proper coloration is brown, the color of wood; it faces dexter by default. Variants of the wagon include the pageant wagon, a wheeled litter, with curtains and ornamentation; and the war-wagon, with an embattled top and arrow slits.
		PDF File

Water-Bouget	A water-bouget is a pair of water bags on a yoke, drawn in a highly stylized heraldic form; it is one of the most ancient of charges, dating from 1244. There are several period depictions of the water-bouget; no difference is counted between them.
		PDF File

Wave	A wave is a crest or swell on the surface of a body of water. In Japanese Mon, the nami or Great Wave is ... permitted in Society heraldry, though only in SCA Mon. The SCA default for waves has changed over the years; both dexter-facing and sinister-facing waves have been called the default. ... Current Society practice is to blazon the wave's posture explicitly.
		PDF File

Wheel	A wheel is a circular spoked frame, attached to an axle by its hub and permitted to spin freely. Sets of wheels are normally found attached to wagons, but wheels are often found as charges in their own right. The default wheel is more fully blazoned a wagon-wheel or cartwheel, and is found as early as 1413. The number of spokes is usually left to the license of the artist -- six or eight spokes seem to be the norm -- but sometimes the number is explicitly blazoned. The wheel's proper coloration is brown, the color of wood. Variants of th ewheel include the Catherine's wheel, the symbol of the martyr St. Catherine, with curved knife-blades radiating from the rim, used as an heraldic charge in 1275. There is the cog-wheel, also called a gear-wheel, used in mechanisms from tiny clockworks to mill-works; it is found in the canting arms of Mülinen c.1450. Finally, there is the water-wheel, with vanes on the outer edge to draw power from running water.
		PDF File

Wind	Winds are puffs of cloud with human heads, usually visibly blowing air from their mouths. The generic wind may also be called an aeolus; other types of wind include the boreas, an icy-bearded old man; the zephyr, an androgynous youth; and the mistral, which is female. Winds face dexter by default, and should be shown in profile (though some are affronty); they should never be in trian aspect.
		PDF File

Wool-Pack	A wool-pack, as the name implies, is a sack in which wool is packed and bundled; the packs were of standardized sizes, for ease of pricing. It was used as a charge by the Worshipful Company of Woomen as early as 1575. The wool-pack may also be called a bale or a wool-sack. If bound within a net of cords, it may also be called a bag in mundane armory; that term, however, is reserved in SCA blazonry for a string pouch or purse. The wool-pack is fesswise by default.
		PDF File

Xonecuilli	A xonecuilli is an Aztec motif representing a blue worm; it is palewise by SCA default. It is not found in mundane heraldry.
		PDF File

Yoke	A yoke is the piece of harness equipment that connects two draft animals side-by-side. An ox yoke is what is drawn for this, unless otherwise specified; it is a period charge, used as a badgeby Hay, Earls of Errol. The yoke is fesswise, by default; its proper coloration, as with all wooden charges, is brown.
		PDF File