By the term Tincture is meant that variable hue which is given to shields and their bearings; they are divided into colours and furs.

The colours or metals used in emblazoning arms are—­

yellow, white, red, blue, black, green, purple, orange, murrey.

These colours are denoted in engravings by various lines or dots, as follows: 

[Illustration:  OR]

OR, which signifies gold, and in colour yellow, is expressed by dots.

[Illustration:  ARGENT]

ARGENT signifies silver or white:  it is left quite plain.

[Illustration:  GULES]

GULES signifies red:  it is expressed by lines drawn from the chief to the base of the shield.

[Illustration:  AZURE]

AZURE signifies blue:  it is represented by lines drawn from the dexter to the sinister side of the shield, parallel to the chief.

[Illustration:  VERT]

VERT signifies green:  it is represented by slanting lines, drawn from the dexter to the sinister side of the shield.

[Illustration:  PURPURE]

PURPURE, or purple, is expressed by diagonal lines, drawn from the sinister to the dexter side of the shield.

[Illustration:  SABLE]

SABLE, or black, is expressed by horizontal and perpendicular lines crossing each other.

[Illustration:  TENNE]

TENNE, which is tawny, or orange colour, is marked by diagonal lines drawn from the sinister to the dexter side of the shield, traversed by perpendicular lines from the chief.

[Illustration:  SANGUINE]

SANGUINE is dark red, or murrey colour; it is represented by diagonal lines crossing each other.

In addition to the foregoing tinctures, there are nine roundlets or balls used in Armory, the names of which are sufficient to denote their colour without expressing the same.

[Illustration:  BEZANT]

BEZANT, Or.

[Illustration:  HURTS]

HURTS, Azure.

[Illustration:  PLATE]

PLATE, Argent.

[Illustration:  TORTEAUX]

TORTEAUX, gules.

[Illustration:  GOLPE]

GOLPE, purpure.

[Illustration:  ORANGE]

ORANGE, tenne.

[Illustration:  POMEIS]

POMEIS, vert.

[Illustration:  PELLET]

PELLET, sable.

[Illustration:  GUZES]

GUZES, sanguine.

FURS.

Furs are used to ornament garments of state and denote dignity:  they are used in Heraldry, not only for the lining of mantles and other ornaments of the shield, but also as bearings on escutcheons.

WHITE, represented by a plain shield, like argent.