Last modified: 2005-05-07 by phil nelson
Keywords: heraldic concepts | petra sancta | saltire | cross | saint patrick | saint andrew | blazon |
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The Petra Sancta method was created in 1638 to render colors in black and white images of coats of arms. Each colour (called tincture) is represented by a different hatch. In heraldry tinctures have old French names; tinctures are divided into "colours" (or "smalts") and "metals". It is better to avoid using metals on metals and smalts on enamels. The natural colours (e.g., the pink of skin) is left empty.
METALS
| metal | English translation | symbol used | description of symbol | mnemonic |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| argent | (silver or white) |  |
empty | the empty paper |
| or | (gold or yellow) |  |
points | bright surface |
COLOURS