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Marks of cadency

Marks of cadency are simple, small charges placed on an recognized Coat of Arms to signify the son of the
original bearer. When a son is awarded a Coats of Arms and that Arms is based on the one owned by the
father, then they must difference their Arms in order to have a different design from the father. There is
standardized chart of charges used to denote the order of siblings that may inherit a Coat of Arms.
The small charge or Mark of Cadency is usually placed in the Center Chief position of the shield.
The eldest son of an eldest son uses a label of five points. Other grandchildren combine the brisure
of their father with the relevant brisure of their own, which often leads to confusion.

Daughters have no special brisures, and use their father's arms on a lozenge. This is because English heraldry
has no requirement that women's arms be unique. Arms are generally the property of their owner from birth.

Here are the male descendent marks of cadency.

Designs By Biggar |Gallery

!st Born Son Label Mark of the first born son during the lifetime of his father
2nd Born Son Cresent One who has been honored by the sovereign;
3rd Born Son Mullet (star) Divine quality from above.
4th Born Son Marlet May signify one who has to survive by virtue and merit, not inheritance
5th Born Son Annulet (finger ring) Fidelity (Faithfulness)
6th Born Son Fluer De Lis) Heraldic lily which is the emblem of Purity.
7th Born Son Rose Hope and Joy
8th Born Son Cross Moline The mutual converse of human society (said to represent a millstone)
9th Born Son Double Quartefoil Brings Good Tidings

Canadian Marks of Cadency

Canadian cadency generally follows the English system. However, since in Canadian heraldry a person's
arms must be unique regardless of their sex, Canada has developed a series of brisures for daughters:



Daughters

!st Born Heart Charity and sincerity
2nd Born Ermine Spot Mark of dignity
3rd Born Snowflake Only known in more recent times,
4th Born Fir Branch Death and eternal life thereafte
5th Born Chess rock Strategic thinking
6th Born Escallop Traveller to far places
7th Born Harp Well-composed person of tempered judgment;
8th Born Buckle Victorious fidelity in authority
9th Born Clarichord An instrument somewhat resembling a trumpet

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