Castle (heraldry)

The castle as a building has also found its way into heraldry . Many coats of arms have a stylized building in their shield.

The castle is often depicted with two towers on the flanking wall. Since the decline of heraldry, the variants have been plentiful. It is particularly common in city and town coats of arms. It is often a replica of the real palaces and fortresses in the catchment area or rulership of the coat of arms. In the case of the blazon , the building depicted in the shield must be described so precisely that two coat of arms painters achieve the same result. The description gives the number and position of the towers (rarely missing, but are generally limited to a number of three to four, construction such as round or square, roof design and color ( tinging )).

The castle gate can be closed or open, a portcullis can be shown as drawn or closed. Combinations are possible. The central position of the gate is important. The windows are often shown as daylight, i.e. in gold (sometimes also silver).

The castle walls on some coats of arms have saints or other figures. Often these figures are growing, so only a part can be seen. The variants with only one tower form a separate group within the castle coat of arms. The tower is shown in this case with a heraldic animal to hold the structure.

The castle group also includes the representations of houses, including independent gable and gate views, window images, bridges and walkways. Even the presentation of church buildings belong here. In terms of handling (coloring and stylization) they do not differ from the heraldic representations, including the description, as has already been mentioned about the castle.