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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.

My descriptions of BEND and BEND SINISTER were based on a view as seen from in front of the arms. Thus when I stated that PARTY PER BEND indicated a division from top left to bottom right, I was referring to the view as seen below:

It is often the case in heraldry that descriptions are made from the shield-bearer's viewpoint (i.e., behind the shield). My apologies for any confusion.

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.

James Dignan