Carbuncle (heraldry)

A carbuncle or escarbuncle is a heraldic charge consisting of eight radiating rods or spokes, four of which make a common cross and the other four a saltire. The ends typically terminate in a fleur-de-lis or some other decorative form.^[1] Frequently the centrepoint is adorned with a jewel; the name may therefore be a reference to a carbuncle gemstone though in heraldry the jewel need not be red. It has its origins in the iron bands and bosses historically used to strengthen shields.^[2] The name may therefore be derived from the Old French boucle, meaning a shield boss.

Gallery

• 

  Arms of Geoffrey de Mandeville, Earl of Essex and Gloucester: Quarterly Or and gules, an escarbuncle sable.

• 

  Arms of the town of Louvil in France: Gules, an escarbuncle Or pierced vert.

• 

  Arms of the Duke of Cleves in Germany: Gules, an escutcheon argent surmounted by an escarbuncle Or.

References

fr:Liste des meubles héraldiques#Escarboucle

0.00 (0 votes) Original source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbuncle (heraldry). Read more