Blazon
The blazon is the textual description of a heraldic insignia, like a device, shield of arms or badge. The terms used often have a meaning specific to heraldry. For instance, the words for colours are all based on Old French.
The basic format is to describe the field, including how the device is divided up, any ordinaries present, the charges on that ordinary, and finally any charges which do not appear on an ordinary. If the same colour is used for multiple things, then the blazon will try and group them together.
Example (Device of Lochac)
The device for Lochac looks difficult to blazon because it is unusually complex, however if taken step by step the task is simple.
The first step is to describe the field, ie the background colours. In this case it is divided into quaters alternating blue and white. This is described as "quarterly azure and argent". Note that azure is mentioned first because it occupies the dexter chief corner of the shield.
The next step is to describe any ordinaries present and the charges on them. In this case there is one ordinary present, a red cross which we call a cross gules. We then describe the charges on the ordinary which are four white stars around a white crown. We call stars of this sort mullets, and since mullets default to five points we have to specify mullets of six points. The next part of the blazon is therefore on a cross gules a crown between four mullets of six points argent. Note that if the stars were not on a cross we would need to specify their position by saying four mullets in cross.
The final stage is to mention any left over charges. In this case it is the Laurel wreath. We first describe its position, so the final part of the blazon is in canton a laurel wreath argent. As the tincture argent has been mentioned twice in succession we eliminate the previous mention of it.
The full blazon is therefore: Quarterly azure and argent, on a cross gules a crown between four mullets of six points, in canton a laurel wreath argent.
