in splendor

English

Left: a sun in splendor. Right: a sun (not in splendor), showing the difference.

Phrase

in splendor

1. (heraldry, of a sun) Depicted with a human face.

   Synonym: in glory

   • 1880, George Henry Preble, History of the Flag of the United States of America, Boston: A. Williams and Company, pages 136–137:

     Richard II. — The cross of St. George, argent and vert; a hart lodged argent, attired, unguled, ducally gorged and chained or, between four suns in splendor,— Dieu et Mon. Two suns in splendor,— Droyt. Four suns in splendor.^[sic]

Usage notes

• Also found with pronouns (a sun in his splendor or a sun in its splendor; plural suns in their splendor).