Major Field Divisions and Ordinaries
These are not all of the divisions and ordinaries but they are the basic ones.

Divisons divide the field and all parts are considered equal. There are no rules of tincture concerning the parts of a divison other than each division must be distinctive from the other divisions that touch it. In a per fess division both parts can be a metal or both parts can be a color or one metal and one color but both parts can not be the same tincture. When dealing with divisions of 4 or more parts each part must be distinct from its two neighbors but those two neighbors can be the same tincture. This can produce a device divided into 8 parts but with only 2 tinctures which alternate around the device.

An ordinary (A ...) must comply with the rule of no metal on a metal and no color on a color since the ordinary itself resides on top of the field. The width of most ordinarys should be no less than 1/4 the width of the field and no more than 1/3 the width of the field.

A pattern is always composed of one color and one metal.

Horizontal
  • Per fess. Divides the field horizontal into 2 equal parts.
  • Barry. A Pattern consisting of an even number of vertical stripes of 2 tinctures one a color and the other a metal. The standard is 6 stripes unless otherwise stated. Devices on barry field are often countercharged.
  • A cheif. Usually an ordinary but can be treated as a division (Per cheif). From the top to 1/3 the way down. Because of the way a cheif covers the top of the shield it sometimes is considered a division rather than an ordinary, and hence can be of the same type of tincture as the majority of the field. When used as a division the top color is named first.
  • A base. Usually an ordinary but can be treated as a division (Per base). From the bottom to 1/3 the way up. Because of the way a base cover the bottom of the shield it sometimes is considered a division rather than an ordinary, and hence can be of the same type of tincture as the majority of the field. When used as a division the top color is named first.
Per fess...
A fess...
Barry...
A cheif...
A base...
Vertical
  • Per pale. A division. Divides the field vertically into 2 equal parts.
  • A pale. An ordinary. A pale is centered along the center line and takes up 1/3 of the field.
  • Paly. A Pattern consisting of an even number of horizontal stripes of 2 tinctures one a color and the other a metal. The standard is 6 stripes unless otherwise stated. Devices on a Paly field are often countercharged.
Per pale...
A pale...
Paly...
Diagonal
  • Per bend. A division. The field is divided into 2 part by a line that starts in the top left corner and crosses the center of the field.
  • A bend. An ordinary. Centered along the same diagonal as a bend. The right edge starts 1/3 in from the corner, the left edge 1/3 down from the corner.
Per bend..
A bend...
Diagonal from the top right.
Bends from the top right are sinister
  • Per bend sinister. Divided into 2 part by a line that lies at a 45 degree angle from the top edge starting at the top right corner.
  • A bend sinister. Centered along the same diagonal as a bend. The left edge starts 1/3 in from the corner, the right edge 1/3 down from the corner.
Per bend sinister...
A bend sinister...
Chevrons
  • Per chevron. The top point of the chevron should be above the 1/2 way point but below the 1/3rd. The lines touching the side should be as far below as the point is above.
  • A chevron. The width of the chevron should be 1/3 the width of the field.
Per chevron...
A chevron...
Chevrons can be inverted
  • Per chevron inverted. The top point of the chevron should be below the 1/2 way point but above the 2/3rd from the top. The lines touching the side should be as far below as the point is above.
  • A chevron inverted. The width of the chevron should be 1/3 the width of the field.
Per chevron inverted...
A chevron inverted...
  • 3 parts
    • Per Pall. Division is from the top 2 corners to a spot between the 1/3 and then stright down. Areas are numbered 1-3 starting with the top and going clockwise.
    • A pall. Only 1/4 as wide as the field.
  • Per pall...
    A pall...
    Palls can be inverted
    • Per Pall inverted. Division is from the center top to a spot 2/3rds the way down then at a 45 degree angle to either side. Areas are numbered 1-3 starting with the top and going clockwise.
    • A pall inverted. Only 1/4 as wide as the field.
    Per pall inverted...
    A pall inverted...
  • 4 parts horizontally and vertically
    • Per cross. In 4 quarters with horizontal and vertical lines. The are quarters are numbered 1-4 starting withthe top left and proceeding clockwise. Usually the odd numbered quarters are the same tictures as each other and the even ones are a differnt tincture from the odds but the same as each other.
    • A cross. A fess intersecting a pale.
  • Per cross...
    A cross...
  • 4 parts diagonally
    • Per saltire. In 4 quarters with diagonal lines. The are quarters are numbered 1-4 starting with the top center and proceeding clockwise. Usually the odd numbered quarters are the same tictures as each other and the even ones are a differnt tincture from the odds but the same as each other.
    • A saltire. A bend and a bend sinister intersecting.
  • Per saltire...
    A saltire...
  • Gyronny
    • Per Gyronny. A Division. The division gyronny is created by dividing the field per cross and per saltaire then coloring the 8 sections with alternating tictures. All the lines should pass though a single point near the center of the field.
  • Per gyronny...