A Heraldic Primer: Gouttes

Gouttes are stylized drops of differing types. They are rarely seen alone and when there is a semy of gouttes, it is called goutty. The gouttes of each tincture have special names which are sometimes used instead of their tincture:

  • A goutte d'eau.
    (A goutte argent.)
    		•
  • A goutte de larmes.
    (A goutte azure.)
    		•
  • A goutte de sangue.
    (A goutte gules.)
    		•
  • A goutte d'or.
    (A goutte Or.)
    		•
  • A goutte de vin.
    (A goutte purpure.)
    		•
  • A goutte de poix.
    (A goutte sable.)
    		•
  • A goutte d'huile.
    (A goutte vert.)
    		•

    Here is a mnemonic poem for remembering the names for gouttes:

    The Sangue des gouttes

    D'eau: a goutte, a silver goutte.
    D'or: a drop of golden sun.
    D'huile: a name for olive gouttes.
    Poix: a pitch-drop on the run.
    Sangue: a needle-prick that's bled.
    Larmes: the tears of blue that flow.
    Vin: a drink with thou and bread
    That will bring us back to d'eau d'eau d'eau d'eau ...