Broad arrow

A broad arrow (of which a pheon is a variety) is a type of arrow with a typically flat barbed head. It is a symbol used traditionally in heraldry, most notably in England, and later by the United Kingdom Government to mark government property.

Use in heraldry

The broad arrow as a heraldic device has two tapering blades, known as barbs. When these barbs are engrailed on the inside, it is called a pheon. Woodward's A Treatise on Heraldry: British and Foreign with English and French Glossaries, makes the following distinction between the broad arrow and pheon: "A BROAD ARROW and a PHEON are represented similarly, except that the Pheon has its inner edges jagged, or engrailed." Parker's A Glossary of Terms Used in Heraldry states, "A broad arrow differs somewhat... and resembles a pheon, except in the omission of the jagged edge on the inside of the barbs."

The pheon, the engrailed broad arrow, occurs in heraldry in the arms of the Sidney and Coates families, and hence in the arms of Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge. The college's newsletter for alumni is also called Pheon. The Pheon also appears in the arms of Hampden-Sydney College.

Broad Arrow (pigeon)

Broad Arrow (designated as Pigeon - 41.BA.2793), was a messenger pigeon that was awarded the Dickin Medal in October 1945 for carrying messages for the National Pigeon Service.

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