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Charge

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

In heraldry, any emblem, symbol, or figure (e.g., lion, cross) placed upon the shield’s field as a distinguishing mark.

Detailed Definition
Charges are the principal images or symbols on a shield, conveying identity or traits. Literary references to charges enrich meaning by invoking family, moral qualities, or symbolic narrative elements.
Example
Example in poetry:
The lion rampant, a bold charge upon the field of peace; “Every virtue a charge upon the soul’s escutcheon,” the moralist wrote; The charge of the unicorn symbolized purity piercing illusion; In the poet’s arms, the charge was a quill, mightier than sword or lance.
Additional Notes
Charge is any emblem or figure placed on the shield’s field (e.g., lion, cross, star); charges can be ordinaries (geometric divisions) or sub-ordinaries/mobile charges; understanding charge hierarchy helps decode symbolic narratives in poetry; charges are described in blazon after the field and before secondary elements like crests.
Other Meanings of “Charge”
Also Known As
Bearing Assault Rush Storm
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