GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF A SHIELD
The surface of the shield is called FIELD. It is divided into different sections or ORDINARIES which bear various colours* and on which are placed the CHARGES. The top part of the shield is called CHIEF, the center, FESS POINT, the bottom, BASE; the SINISTER SIDE is the left, and the DEXTER SIDE, the right. As seen by the viewer, DEXTER is left, and SINISTER is right. Other elements can be placed on the outside of the shield. All parts combined constitute the HERALDIC SHIELD or COAT OF ARMS.
*Metals, furs and colours (tinctures) are used in heraldry.
PECULIARITY OF THE PERRON COAT OF ARMS
The main objective in designing our coat of arms was to represent all branches of the Perrons who settled in New France in the 17th and 18th centuries. Our coat of arms had to show characteristics particular to our family taking into account our common country of origin, France. It is to be noted that the Perron Coat of arms does not fully conform to the rules of heraldry – arms ‘of enquiry’ in heraldic language - proving that the PERRONS like to do things differently.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PERRON COAT OF ARMS
The shape of the shield is modern French, a type widely used in French Canada. The partition is that of a "tiercé en pairle renversé" meaning a three-section division formed by an overturned «Y». The ARMS are: at the fess point, a perron made of three steps; at the dexter side, a spike of wheat; at the sinister side, a tree; and at the base, three waves. In CHIEF are two stars and a single fleur de lis. The colours are: or (gold), argent (silver) and azure (blue).
The patronymic PERRON appears above the shield while a scroll underneath shows the motto of the Association: TOUJOURS EN MARCHE
The overturned «Y» (tiercé en pairle renversé) symbolizes the three branches of the Perron families;
The Dugrenier branch is identified by the spike of wheat;
The Desnoyers branch is identified by the tree;
The Suire branch is identified by the waves;
The perron represents the family name and, by extending over each branch, unites them
BLAZONMENT
Please see the proper blazonment on the French page. Here’s what the heraldic description means in every day language:
A three-section partition in the shape of an overturned «Y»; the silver right side (dexter) bears a blue spike of wheat, the silver left side (sinister) bears a blue tree, at the blue base are placed three undulated silver bands , three gold steps (perron) at the center are superimposed on the partition; the blue chief bears one gold fleur de lis and two five-pointed stars one at each side also of gold.
