heraldry

As the remaining spellers dwindled, Shradha was given “orle,” a heraldry term that means several small charges arranged to form a border within the edge of a field.

These are disparate images, some historical, some contemporary, all variations on the circle: heraldry, Aztec symbols, currency, images of the sun and of star patterns, a manhole cover, a disco ball.

In “New Heraldry,” Seattle artist Sara Osebold imagines a new world after “total collapse,” through canvas drawings and clay sculptures imprinted with mysterious, textlike symbols and ceramic fragments found in mucky Seattle creek beds.

On an adjacent wall are the flags of all 54 countries in Africa, their insignia and heraldry explained.

Interestingly, dragons of yore had to be dominated or defeated; their occasional use in heraldry and art was meant to impress and inspire awe.