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Bend

Heraldic Terms
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

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The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

A diagonal band crossing the shield from top left to bottom right.

Detailed Definition
The bend is a major heraldic ordinary symbolizing defense or protection. When invoked in poetry, it can represent passage, division, or movement, enhancing narrative or emblematic layers.
Example
Example in poetry:
A bend gules slashed the argent field like a wound of valor; The poet saw fate’s hand in the bend that crossed his life’s escutcheon; “Diagonal as destiny,” the bend linked past and future in one bold stroke; Bendwise, the lightning of inspiration struck the poet’s blank page.
Additional Notes
Bend is a diagonal band running from the dexter (bearer’s right, viewer’s left) chief to the sinister base; it suggests defense or honor and often bears secondary charges; in poetry, the bend’s slant can imply movement, bias, or division; beware confusion with "bend sinister," which runs opposite and historically denoted illegitimacy.
Also Known As
Band warp
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