OR (HERALDRY)

In heraldry, 'or' (from the French word for ''gold'') is the tincture of gold, and belongs to the class of light tinctures, called "metals". In engravings and line drawings, it may be represented using a pattern of dots. It is very frequently depicted as yellow, though gold leaf was used in many illuminated manuscripts and more extravagant rolls of arms.
The word ''gold'' is occasionally used in place of ''Or'' in blazon, sometimes to prevent repetition of the word ''Or'' in a blazon, or because this substitution was in fashion when the blazon was first written down, or is preferred by the officer of arms.
''Or'' is frequently spelt with a capital letter (e.g. ''Gules, a fess Or'') so as not to confuse it with the conjunction ''or''.
Or is said to represent the following:

★ Of jewels, the topaz

★ Of heavenly bodies, the Sun

★ Of metals, gold

★ Of virtues, courage and honor

Contents

See also

See also

★ Gold (color)

★ Old Gold