Bend sinister (heraldry)
Okay, imagine you're playing a game where you need to identify different people. In this game, each person has a special symbol or design on their clothes or shield. This symbol is called a coat of arms and it helps you recognize who they are, like a special leotard for a superhero.
Now, one important part of these coat of arms designs is called a "bend sinister." This part looks like a diagonal stripe that goes from the top left to the bottom right. It's like drawing a line from your top left shoulder to the bottom right hip.
But why is it called "bend sinister"? Well, "bend" means a diagonal line, and "sinister" is an old word that means "left" or "unlucky." So, the name actually means a diagonal line that starts at the top left and goes to the bottom right. And they call it "sinister" because in the past, people used to think the left side was not as good as the right. It's like how some people consider left-handedness not as common or preferred.
When the people who make these coat of arms designs want to include a bend sinister, they choose a color or design that stands out from the rest of the coat of arms. It's usually a different color or pattern to make it easy to see. This way, when you look at their coat of arms, your eyes get drawn to this diagonal line, and you can tell it's there.
So, next time you see a coat of arms with a diagonal line from top left to bottom right, you can say, "That's a bend sinister!" And remember, it's called that because in the olden days, people thought it was a bit different or unusual, just like being left-handed.
Now, one important part of these coat of arms designs is called a "bend sinister." This part looks like a diagonal stripe that goes from the top left to the bottom right. It's like drawing a line from your top left shoulder to the bottom right hip.
But why is it called "bend sinister"? Well, "bend" means a diagonal line, and "sinister" is an old word that means "left" or "unlucky." So, the name actually means a diagonal line that starts at the top left and goes to the bottom right. And they call it "sinister" because in the past, people used to think the left side was not as good as the right. It's like how some people consider left-handedness not as common or preferred.
When the people who make these coat of arms designs want to include a bend sinister, they choose a color or design that stands out from the rest of the coat of arms. It's usually a different color or pattern to make it easy to see. This way, when you look at their coat of arms, your eyes get drawn to this diagonal line, and you can tell it's there.
So, next time you see a coat of arms with a diagonal line from top left to bottom right, you can say, "That's a bend sinister!" And remember, it's called that because in the olden days, people thought it was a bit different or unusual, just like being left-handed.