**Sable** is the heraldic tincture black, named from the dark fur of the sable marten used in medieval clothing. In monochrome engravings sable is shown by crossed vertical and horizontal hatching, producing a solid black field. Sable is associated with constancy and grief, and in modern flags is most strongly identified with the pan-African and pan-Arab colour traditions.
**Example**: The double-headed eagle on the flag of Albania is blazoned as a charge Sable on a field Gules.
**See also**: [tincture](/glossary/tincture/), [gules](/glossary/gules/), [pan-african-colors](/glossary/pan-african-colors/), [pan-arab-colors](/glossary/pan-arab-colors/)