In heraldry, the allerion is a distinctive bird charge that symbolizes nobility, elevated purpose, and martial honour, though its exact meaning is shaped as much by heraldic tradition as by fixed symbolism. It is usually depicted as a small eagle-like bird shown without beak or feet, giving it a stylized and highly recognizable form that sets it apart from more naturalistic birds in armory. The allerion is most famously associated with the arms of Lorraine, which bear three allerions, and through that connection it became one of the most recognizable bird symbols in European heraldry.

Because of its resemblance to the eagle, it often shares associations with courage, sovereignty, and high ambition, but its simplified form gives it a more refined and emblematic quality. The origin of the figure has long been debated, which adds to its fascination, and it is often valued as much for its historic character and rarity as for any single assigned meaning. In heraldry, the allerion remains an elegant and memorable charge, carrying with it a sense of lineage, distinction, and the enduring mystery that surrounds some of the oldest armorial symbols.