Heraldry is a visual system of identity built around coats of arms and related emblems. A design may combine a shield, a colored field, and symbolic figures or objects called charges; some arms also include elements such as a crest or supporters. These components follow conventions that help make designs recognizable and distinguish one bearer from another. Heraldic traditions serve individuals and families as well as civic and institutional bodies. The examples named here include places and an organization, reflecting heraldry's role in representing towns, territories, and institutions. Flags can also use heraldic devices, though a flag and a coat of arms are distinct forms of identification. Together, these subjects sit within a tradition that uses established visual symbols to express identity and affiliation.