Dexter and Sinister

Dexter and sinister are the heraldic words for right and left, always from the point of view of the person holding the shield. Dexter, the bearer's right, is the viewer's left. Sinister, the bearer's left, is the viewer's right. The words are Latin for right and left.

Dexter is the side of greater honour. Animals face dexter unless the blazon says otherwise, and a married man in England traditionally placed his own arms on the dexter half with his wife's on the sinister. On the UK royal arms the English lion stands dexter and the Scottish unicorn sinister. A bend runs from the dexter top corner, and a bend sinister runs the other way.

In the coat of arms maker, charges start facing the usual dexter direction. Select one and use flip horizontally to turn it to face sinister, which is handy when you set two supporters facing each other.