Last updated 13 May, 2006

The following terms are used to describe heraldic colours. They show the proper name for the colour, its normal abbreviation, english equivalent, representation in black and white print and an example. Note there is no exact colour for any of the heraldic colours, and so they can vary. See also furs and metals for other "colours" used in heraldry.

Colours

	Name	Abbrv.	English	Black and white representation
	Gules	Gu.	red	Vertical lines
	Azure	Az.	blue	Horizontal lines
	Sable		black	Horizontal and Vertical lines crossing to form tiny squares.
	Vert	Vert	green	Lines in bend (running top left to bottom right)
	Purpure	Purp.	purple	Lines in bend sinister (running top right to bottom left)

There are two other colours or stains which only appear infrequently

Tenne		Tawny
Sanguine		Shade of red (maroon)