Bend - a band or strap running from the upper dexter (the bearer's right side and the viewer's left) corner of the shield to the lower sinister (the bearer's left side, and the viewer's right), usually ranging from one-fifth (if shown between other charges) up to one-third (if charged alone). The supposed rule that a bend should occupy a maximum of one-third of the field appears to exclude the possibility of three bends being shown together, tho contrary examples exist.

Charge - is any emblem or device occupying the field of an escutcheon (shield). Usually a geometric design (ordinary) or a symbolic representation of a person, animal, plant, object or other device.

Chevron - (also spelled cheveron) a V-shaped mark, often inverted in heraldry and the designs of flags.

Chief - a charge on a coat of arms that takes the form of a band running horizontally across the top edge of the shield, usually ranging from one-fourth to one-third. The former is more likely if the chief is uncharged, that is, if it does not have other objects placed on it. If charged, the chief is typically wider to allow room for the objects drawn there. The chief is one of the ordinaries in heraldry, along with the bend, chevron, fess, and pale.

Compartment - a design placed under the shield, usually rocks, a grassy mount, or some sort of other landscape upon which the supporters are depicted as standing.

Crest - a component of a heraldic display, consisting of the device borne on top of the helm.

Crown - or coronet an emblem of a sovereign state, usually a monarchy, and sometimes used by some republics. A crown can be a charge in a coat of arms, or set atop the shield to signify the status of its owner.

Dexter - along with Sinister are terms used in heraldry to refer to specific locations (left or right) in an escutcheon bearing a coat of arms, and to the other elements of an achievement.

Fess - a fess or fesse is a charge on a coat of arms (or flag) that takes the form of a band running horizontally across the centre of the shield, usually ranging from one-fifth to one-third of the shield's surface which is covered by a fess or other ordinary. A fess is likely to be shown narrower if it is uncharged, that is, if it does not have other charges placed on it, and/or if it is to be shown with charges above and below it; and shown wider if charged.

Field - the background of the shield, usually composed of one or more tinctures (colours or metals) or furs. The field may be divided or may consist of a variegated pattern.

Helmet - a helm, or Galero is situated above the shield and bears the torse and crest. In some traditions, two or three helmets (and sometimes more) may be used in a single achievement of arms, each representing a fief to which the bearer has a right.

Escutcheon - is a shield that forms the main or focal element and is often used in one of two ways, as the shield on which a coat of arms is displayed or as a shield that can itself be a charge within a coat of arms. Though it can be used as a charge on its own, the most common use of an escutcheon charge is to display another coat of arms as a form of marshalling. These escutcheons are usually given the same shape as the main shield. When only one shield is dispalyed, it is sometimes called an inescutcheon.

Mantling - or lambrequin is drapery tied to the helmet above the shield.

Motto - the general motivation or intention of an individual, family, social group or organization, usually found predominantly in written form (unlike slogans, which may also be expressed orally), often stemming from long traditions of social foundations, or from significant events, such as a civil war or a revolution.

Order - a visible honour awarded by a sovereign state, monarch, dynastic royal house or organization to a person, typically in recognition of individual merit, that often comes with distinctive insignia such as collars, medals, badges, and sashes worn by recipients.

Ordinary - or honourable ordinary is a simple geometrical figure, bounded by straight lines and running from side to side or top to bottom of the shield. Geometric charges known as subordinaries, having been in use as long as the traditional ordinaries, often having a lesser status. Diminutives of ordinaries and some subordinaries are charges of the same shape, though thinner. Usually most of the ordinaries occupy one-third of the shield; but this is rarely observed in practice, except when the ordinary is the only charge.

Pale - a term used in heraldic blazon to describe a charge on a coat of arms (or flag), that takes the form of a band running vertically down the centre of the shield, the width of the pale usually ranges from about one-fifth to about one-third of the width of the shield, but this width is not fixed. A narrow pale is more likely if it is uncharged, that is, if it does not have other objects placed on it. If charged, the pale is typically wider to allow room for the objects drawn there. The pale is one of the ordinaries in heraldry, along with the bed, chevron, fess, and chief.

Shield - or escutcheon is the primary element of an heraldic achievement upon which the coat of arms is depicted. All of the other elements of an achievement are designed to decorate and complement these arms, but only the shield of arms is required.

Sinister - along with Dexter are terms used in heraldry to refer to specific locations (left or right) in an escutcheon bearing a coat of arms, and to the other elements of an achievement.

Slogan - (battle cry) used in Scottish heraldry as a heraldic motto or a secondary motto usually appearing above the crest on a coat of arms, though sometimes it appears as a secondary motto beneath the shield.

Supporters - (attendants) are figures or objects usually placed on either side of the shield and depicted holding it up. If one supporter exists, they are often placed behind the shield.

Tincture - the limited palette of colours and patterns used in heraldry to help define, depict, and correctly blazon the various tinctures as one of the most important aspects of heraldic art and design.

Torse - or wreath is a twisted roll of fabric laid about the top of the helmet and the base of the crest. It has the dual purpose of masking the join between helm and crest, and of holding the mantling in place.