Heraldry in Whales

Heraldry in Whales was codified in 1696, following the adoption of a coat of arms of Whales and rules governing heraldry. The proclaimed rules were based on the de facto use of heraldry in Whales since its foundations in 1592. They are largely derived from heraldry in Rossheim-Slavonia-Volksburg within the Kingdom of Sangun, Riskai and the Idunn Isles.

There are three parallel sets of heraldry in Whales, and an individual may use one of them, none of them, two of them, or all three of them. They include heraldic achievements (coat of arms), mon, and stamps.

Rules

General rules

• A free person, a household, or any other legal person, is free to adopt an escutcheon for itself, provided it is unique.
  • Within a household, or for one's descendants, differentiation of the main coat of arms is allowed.
• Rules of tincture apply (exceptions for coats of arms charged with mon, animals proper, including the pink whale of Whales)
• Coats of arms are inherited in accordance with primogeniture:
  • Older siblings and their descendants have preference over younger siblings and their descendants
  • Brothers and the descendants of brothers have preference over daughters and the descendants of daughters
• Men bear escutcheons, women lozenges unless they are heraldic heiresses

Lordships

• The coat of arms of a lordship may be unique in its own, but it may also be the lord's own coat of arms
• Coat of arms of lords or lordships are topped by a burger's helmet (tilted, open helmet), mantling is allowed

Prince

• The coat of arms of the Prince of Whales is topped by a nobleman's helmet (closed, barred). Mantling is allowed.