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Quizzes > Quizzes for Business > Government

Heraldry Identification Quiz: Identify Coats of Arms

Test Your Emblem Recognition Skills Today

Difficulty: Moderate
Questions: 20
Learning OutcomesStudy Material
Colorful paper art depicting various heraldic symbols for a trivia quiz

Fancy yourself a student of medieval history or art? This Heraldry Identification Quiz tests your ability to decode coats of arms, identify tinctures, and recognize historical emblems across 15 questions. Ideal for history buffs and educators, it offers a fun yet informative challenge to sharpen emblem recognition skills. All questions are freely editable in our intuitive editor, allowing you to customize content for any audience. You've already tried the Animal Identification Quiz and Color Identification Quiz ? Now explore more quizzes to keep expanding your knowledge.

In heraldry, what is a tincture?
A color or metal used in heraldry
A motto or slogan
A decorative border around the shield
A type of helmet worn by knights
In heraldry, tinctures are the colors and metals applied to shields and charges. The other options describe mottos, borders, or helmets, which are different elements of a coat of arms.
What does "lion rampant" depict?
A lion standing upright on its hind legs with forepaws raised
A lion walking with one forepaw raised
A lion lying down
A lion facing sideways
The term "lion rampant" describes a lion standing erect on one hind leg with forepaws raised. This posture is distinct from other lion positions such as passant or couchant.
Which tincture is represented by the term "azure"?
Blue
Gold
Green
Red
"Azure" is the heraldic term for the color blue. Other tinctures such as gules and or correspond to red and gold respectively.
In heraldry, what is an "ordinary"?
A simple geometric shape
A family motto
A complex animal figure
A decorative border
An "ordinary" is one of the basic geometric shapes like a bend, fess, or chevron placed on the shield. Mottos and figures are different components of a coat of arms.
What is the heraldic meaning of "argent"?
Silver or white
Black
Red
Green
"Argent" represents the metal silver, often depicted as white in heraldic artwork. It is one of two metals, along with or (gold), used as tinctures.
Which ordinary is depicted as a horizontal band across the middle of a shield?
Fess
Pale
Bend
Chevron
A "fess" is a horizontal band that typically occupies the central third of the shield. The pale is vertical, the bend diagonal, and the chevron is an inverted V shape.
Which heraldic charge most commonly symbolizes courage and nobility?
Lion
Fleur-de-lis
Anchor
Sword
The lion charge has long symbolized bravery and nobility in heraldry. Other charges like the fleur-de-lis or anchor carry different traditional meanings.
What does the fleur-de-lis traditionally symbolize in heraldry?
Purity and light
Strength in battle
Maritime prowess
Wealth and prosperity
The fleur-de-lis is most often associated with purity and light, especially in French heraldry. It is not generally used to denote military strength or maritime prowess.
What does the term "bend" refer to in heraldry?
Diagonal stripe from the top left to bottom right
Vertical band down the center
Horizontal band across the middle
Star-shaped charge
A "bend" is a broad diagonal stripe running from the top left (dexter chief) to the bottom right (sinister base) of the shield. Other options refer to different ordinaries.
Which tincture is referred to as "gules"?
Blue
Green
Red
Black
"Gules" is the heraldic term for the color red. Blue corresponds to azure, green to vert, and black to sable.
In heraldry, what is a "mullet"?
A star-shaped charge
A small fish
A type of crown
A decorative border
A "mullet" is a star-shaped charge, often with five points, used in heraldry. It does not refer to fish or crowns.
What rule prohibits placing a color on a color or a metal on a metal?
Rule of tincture
Law of arms
Charge prohibition
Heraldic convention
The Rule of Tincture governs that metals (like or or argent) should not be placed on metals, nor colors on colors. This ensures clear contrast and visibility.
What is a "chief" in heraldry?
The top horizontal third of the shield
The bottom section of the shield
A small shield on a larger one
A diagonal band
A "chief" is the horizontal band covering the top third of the shield's field. It differs from a base, pale, or other divisions.
Which of these is a metal tincture?
Sable
Vert
Argent
Purpure
"Argent" is a metal tincture (silver), while sable (black), vert (green), and purpure (purple) are colors.
What does "quarterly" mean in heraldic division?
Divided into four equal parts
Divided diagonally
A single central charge
Divided into six parts
"Quarterly" division splits the shield into four equal sections, typically arranged two over two. It does not refer to diagonal or six-part divisions.
Historically, what does the ermine fur pattern symbolize in heraldry?
Purity and dignity
Military strength
Royal lineage exclusively
Fertility and growth
The ermine pattern of black spots on white signifies purity and dignity. It originated from the winter coat of the stoat and became a symbol of status.
Which blazon correctly describes a shield with a black field and a white diagonal cross?
Sable, a saltire argent
Gules, a saltire argent
Argent, a saltire sable
Sable, a cross argent
The blazon "Sable, a saltire argent" describes a black shield (sable) bearing a white (argent) diagonal cross (saltire). A straight cross would not be called a saltire.
In a full heraldic achievement, what does the crest sit upon?
The helm
The motto scroll
The shield
The supporters
In a full heraldic achievement, the crest rests on top of the helmet (helm). The shield, supporters, and motto occupy different positions.
What is 'impalement' in heraldry?
Combining two coats of arms side by side by a vertical line
Adding a border around the shield
Dividing the shield into four quarters
Placing a small shield over a larger one
Impalement is the method of displaying two coats of arms side by side within one shield, separated by a vertical line. It differs from quartering or adding borders.
Which heraldic fur is described as a gold field with black ermine spots?
Erminois
Vair
Ermine
Potent
Erminois is the heraldic fur showing black ermine spots on a gold (yellow) field. Ermine itself is white with black spots, vair is bell-shaped, and potent consists of T-shaped figures.
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Learning Outcomes

  1. Analyze heraldic symbols and coat of arms elements
  2. Identify common tinctures, ordinaries, and charges
  3. Interpret the historical meaning behind family emblems
  4. Apply heraldic terminology with accuracy
  5. Demonstrate knowledge of heraldry design principles

Cheat Sheet

  1. Understand the Rule of Tincture - This fundamental guideline in heraldry ensures clarity by prohibiting color on color or metal on metal. Think of it like choosing contrasting outfits so your designs always stand out. Mastering this rule will make your coats of arms pop with visual punch! Learn about the Rule of Tincture on Wikipedia
  2. Recognize Common Tinctures - Tinctures are the palette of heraldry: metals, colors, and furs that breathe life into your shield. Gold (Or) and silver (Argent) are your metallic party starters, while red (Gules), blue (Azure), green (Vert), black (Sable) and purple (Purpure) add vibrant flair. Getting comfortable with these will help you describe and interpret any coat of arms like a pro. Discover Tinctures on Wikipedia
  3. Identify Ordinaries and Subordinaries - Ordinaries are the bold geometric staples - pales, fesses, chevrons - while subordinaries like the chief or bordure add framing drama. Picture them as the basic building blocks you layer to craft eye-catching shields. Spotting these shapes quickly sharpens your design analysis skills. Explore Ordinaries on Wikipedia
  4. Learn Common Charges - Charges are the fun symbols that give each coat of arms its personality: lions, eagles, crowns, and more. Each icon carries a story and specific variations, so knowing them unlocks hidden meanings in a glance. Start matching shapes to symbolism and watch your expertise soar. Check out Charges on Wikipedia
  5. Master Blazon Terminology - Blazon is the secret code of heraldry, describing shields in a specific order: field, principal charges, then secondary charges. It's like a recipe - "Azure, a lion rampant Or" tells you exactly what colors and shapes to expect. Once you speak blazon, you'll decode any coat of arms in seconds! Blazon Basics on Britannica
  6. Understand the Significance of Positions and Attitudes - In heraldry, every pose tells a story: a lion rampant rears up boldly, while passant strolls confidently across the field. These attitudes convey mood and meaning, so learning them adds depth to your interpretations. Get ready to describe every stance with flair! Positions & Attitudes on Wikipedia
  7. Explore the Historical Context of Heraldic Symbols - Many charges, like the fleur-de-lis or the dragon, carry centuries of legend and lineage. Delving into their origins connects you to the tales of knights, royalty, and families long past. It's like time-traveling with ink and color - fascinating and fun! Historical Context on Britannica
  8. Practice Deciphering Complex Coats of Arms - Quartered shields, impaled designs, and combined arms can look like puzzle pieces waiting to be sorted. Break each section down methodically: field first, then ordinaries, then charges. With every shield you analyze, you'll build unstoppable confidence! Complex Designs on Britannica
  9. Study Variations and Exceptions - While the Rule of Tincture reigns supreme, furs and "proper" (natural-colored) charges sometimes bend the rules. Spotting these exceptions is like finding Easter eggs in a design game. Embrace the quirks and level up your heraldic detective skills! Variations & Exceptions on Wikipedia
  10. Apply Knowledge Through Practice - Nothing cements learning like hands-on action: sketch your own arms, write blazons, or decode shields from history. Join online forums or challenge friends to a design duel - practice makes perfect and keeps the process playful. Ready to create your own legendary shield? Heraldry Practice on Britannica
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