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Chevron

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 heraldic ordinary shaped like an inverted "V," symbolizing protection or the rafters of a house, commonly borne on shields.

Detailed Definition
The chevron symbolizes protection and faithful service. Its visual form appears in poetry to suggest shelter, elevation, or aspiration, emphasizing virtuous or heroic qualities.
Example
Example in poetry:
The chevron, inverted like a roof, sheltered the motto beneath; “A chevron of care,” the elegy praised the mother’s protective arms; Three chevrons or on azure marked the archer’s lineage in the poet’s tale; The mountain’s peak, shaped like a chevron, crowned the landscape with strength.
Additional Notes
Chevron is an inverted V-shaped ordinary, symbolizing roof beams and thus protection or shelter; it is common in civic and military arms; poets may use it to suggest ascent, architecture, or familial roof; when multiple chevrons appear, they are termed "chevronels" if narrow, and their number and tincture carry specific meanings.
Also Known As
Chevronel (smaller variant not a direct alias but related)
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