Line (heraldry)
The lines of partition used to divide and vary fields and charges in heraldry are by default straight, but may have many different shapes. Care must sometimes be taken to distinguish these types of lines from the extremely unusual and non-traditional use of lines as charges, and to distinguish these shapes from actual charges, such as "a mount in base," or, particularly in German heraldry, different kinds of embattled from castle walls.
In Scotland, varied lines of partition are often used to modify a bordure (or sometimes another ordinary) to difference the arms of a cadet from the chief of the house.
Read more about Line (heraldry): Indented and Dancetty, Wavy and Nebuly, Engrailed and Invected, Embattled and Variants, Embowed and Nowy, Rarer Lines and Recent Inventions, Gallery of Different Lines of Partition
Famous quotes containing the word line:
“The real dividing line between early childhood and middle childhood is not between the fifth year and the sixth year—it is more nearly when children are about seven or eight, moving on toward nine. Building the barrier at six has no psychological basis. It has come about only from the historic-economic-political fact that the age of six is when we provide schools for all.”
—James L. Hymes, Jr. (20th century)