When a shield is partitioned, the lines dividing these partitions need not be just straight lines. They can be wavy, jagged, etc. Each of these types of lines is associated with a different meaning. Some of the more common partition lines are considered below.
A nebuly line is associated with the sky…i.e. clouds/air.
An engrailed line and has to do with the earth/land.
The opposite of the engrailed line and is call “invected”. It has the same earth/land association as an engrailed line.
An “indented” line has to do with fire.
A “dancette” line has to do with water.
A “raguly” line means that some difficulty or another was encountered.
The “embattled” pattern is common in shields and refers to the walls of a fortress or a town.
Many other line patterns are possible (see accompanying graphic of the ones covered here and some not covered here) and are associated with different elements If you encounter a line not covered here, a search of sites devoted exclusively to heraldry should uncover its meaning.
