Carnation (heraldry)

Coat of arms of Limoges, France: De gueules, au chef de Saint Martial de carnation, orné à l'antique d'or, ombré de sable, entre deux lettres gothiques d'or S et M; au chef d'azur, chargé de trois fleurs de lis d'or.

In heraldry, carnation is a tincture, the colour of European (Caucasian) human skin (i.e., pale pinkish peach). It is not used at all often in the Anglophone heraldries but quite frequent on the continent, in France in particular, derived from widespread use in German heraldry.

In its rare appearances in the Anglophone heraldries, it is not only used for European flesh tones as in 'a crown rayonny or supported by two cubit arms, dexter carnation, sinister skeletal proper' (The Royal Australasian College of Radiologists - crest) but also as a general pink colouring as in 'a horse passant argent bridled saddled and trappings or, on its head a plume of three feathers carnation' (The Worshipful Company of Sadlers, England - crest).

Carnation should not be distinguished entirely from 'rose' as used in Canadian heraldry (e.g. A plate charged with three arrows, two in saltire one in pale, points in base, their feathers each terminating in a maple leaf azure, within an orle of bezants alternating with rose flowers rose, the plate encircled by a chain, the links alternately or and azure - Hutchison, Canada - badge; Canadian Public Register, vol IV, p 104), as both are both are pinks.