Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

bar-sinister

noun

/bär-ˈsi-nə-stər/

Definition

A heraldic term referring to a diagonal stripe running from the upper right to the lower left of a shield, indicating illegitimacy in nobility.

Examples

The coat of arms displayed a prominent bar-sinister, hinting at the family’s controversial history.
In many noble families, the presence of a bar-sinister could affect the succession rights of an heir.
When designing their personal crest, he opted to include a bar-sinister as a nod to his family’s background.

Meaning

In heraldry, a bar-sinister is a stripe that marks the lineage of a person, often associated with the sign of an illegitimate birth, traditionally showing that the individual is not a legitimate heir.