BATON SINISTER Meaning and
Definition
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A "baton sinister" is a term commonly used in heraldry to describe a specific charge or bearing in a coat of arms, known as an "ordinary." Its name is derived from the French word "bâton," meaning "stick" or "staff," and the English term "sinister," which refers to the side of the shield opposite to the right-hand side as seen by the bearer.
In heraldry, a baton sinister is a diagonal line or band that runs from the upper left-hand side of the shield down towards the lower right-hand side. It typically occupies approximately one-third of the width of the shield. The baton sinister is considered to be a "mark of illegitimacy," symbolizing that the bearer is of noble birth but born out of wedlock. It is usually used to differentiate a noble family's illegitimate offspring from the legitimate descendants who would typically bear the family's coat of arms without the addition of the baton sinister.
The baton sinister is depicted in various ways, such as a solid line, a dotted line, or formed by small repeating patterns. It can also be combined with other charges and colors depending on the specific design of the coat of arms.
It is worth noting that the usage of the baton sinister in heraldry is not limited to representing illegitimacy, as it may also be used for other distinctive purposes or simply as a decorative element in a coat of arms.
Common Misspellings for BATON SINISTER
- vaton sinister
- naton sinister
- haton sinister
- gaton sinister
- bzton sinister
- bston sinister
- bwton sinister
- bqton sinister
- baron sinister
- bafon sinister
- bagon sinister
- bayon sinister
- ba6on sinister
- ba5on sinister
- batin sinister
- batkn sinister
- batln sinister
- batpn sinister
- bat0n sinister
- bat9n sinister
Etymology of BATON SINISTER
The term "baton sinister" has its origins in heraldry, which is the practice of designing and describing coats of arms. In heraldic terminology, a "baton" refers to a narrow rectangular shape placed diagonally from the upper left corner of a shield to the lower right corner. "Sinister" is a term used in heraldry to describe the left side of the shield when viewed from behind (opposite the right side, known as "dexter").
The term "baton sinister" specifically refers to a mark of illegitimacy or dishonor, typically associated with a coat of arms. It is a variation of the French phrase "bâton sinistre", which translates to "sinister bend" or "left-hand bend". The usage of "sinister" reinforces the negative connotation, as it historically carried associations with evil or misfortune.
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