Black - Sable

Heraldic Colors – Black

In heraldry, black is a standard tincture. It is often confused with silver in coats of arms where real silver was used for coloring, as silver tends to blacken over time due to oxidation.

The Etymology of Black

In heraldry, the color likely originates from a dark fur, specifically sable. This is reflected in the French and English (sable) and German heraldic terms. The German word Zobel (sable fur) was used by medieval troubadours as the name of the color. This suggests that originally, dark fur was attached to the shield, which later evolved into the heraldic tincture. In Hungarian context, the term nyuszt (marten) used by Péter Apor and the word roh (meaning ‘blackish, reddish’) are related to this concept.

The Symbolism of Black

During the era of “dead heraldry,” various meanings were attributed to it. Among the colors, it was often considered the least noble. According to Prinsault, it was a symbol of both mourning and wealth. For certain mystical philosophers (such as Johannes Tauler, c. 1300–1361), it represented the senses. The medieval herald known as Heraldus Britannus, mentioned by Spener, used the term mauro.

In general symbolism, it is the color of death, sorrow, and evil. In folk belief, it represents the devil and serves as a sign of mourning.

Production

Black was produced using soot-based pigments. Gold or silver was often used for shading it. The best paints were made from wick-soot and lampblack. These were produced in a kiln with a tightly sealed door and a large rectangular opening at the top. A cone-shaped bag made of soft but strong fabric was hung over this opening.

Inside the kiln, wood rich in carbon, resin, and tar—along with other materials—was burned and cremated. By restricting the air supply, a large amount of smoke and soot was generated, which was periodically shaken off the bag. This was then mixed with a varnish cooked from linseed oil.

Another variety was “raven black” or “raven silver,” which was a graphite-based cream. A grayish-brown shade was known as tryginon. Even ancient Athenian painters, such as Polygnotos and Mikon, produced this by burning dried grape lees and mixing the resulting soot with glue.