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Heraldic Dictionary: 2.a Partitions addenda

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Heraldry IIa: Partitions addenda

As has been pointed out, arms barry of three or paly of three are usually described as being TIERCED. English purists don't use "paly", "barry", etc for odd numbers. So barry wavy of seven, or and gules", in "correct" language becomes:
or, three bars wavy gules. When angled and not curved they t and they are 'barrulets''.

ALL heraldic blazons is given from the observer's point of view with dexter part of the shield being on the observers left.

GYRONNY is usually taken to be based around a cross, therefore leading to a partition between the segments (or GYRONS) that is vertical. However, as in the case of the Dutch Naval Jack, a Gyron may occur in this position, rather than a dividing line. I know of no way of describing the difference between these two situations heraldically, but do note that Gyronny of 8 (the most common form) is seldom encountered in the latter form, whereas gyronny by any other number of divisions seems to be much more common in this latter form.

Editor's Note: This page was originally the result of information sent to FOTW by James Dignan. Until November, 2003, it has was hosted at Željko Heimer's Flags and Arms of the Modern Era webpage. The work is incomplete, but presented as a very basic primer for heraldry. Additional information and corrections by Geoff Kingman-Sugars are in italics, dated 31 December 2003.