It appears that under the Ayyubids and early Mamluks that amirs were specifically granted their blazons, while under the later circassians the amirs were allowed free choice. In fact, it is possible to f ind the emblazon of a single person appearing on differing field shapes adorning the same building. Aside from the divisions of the ard into three shaftas, other field divisions are treated like charges in Islamic heraldry. The first is that of animals. Though rare in Muslim heraldry, three animals do appear.
Some controversy exists regarding the first two charges and their meaning.
The third, and largest, category of shi'ar is that of symbols of office. These are purely Islamic charges, and often relate directly to the office which the bearer held when elevated to the rank of emir. That these charges could be emblazoned in a number of variants may be shown in one of the most common, the pen box. A fourth category of shi'ar is that of charges which have a solely Islamic use and meaning, but which were not symbols of office. A fifth category of shi'ar are tamghas, charges which were adopted from the Mongols or Turks, and of whose significance we remain in ignorance.