Coat of arms

A coat of arms is a distinctive visual design used as a symbolic representation of an individual, a family, an organization, or a country. Coats of arms are an element of heraldry, a system used to establish identity in battle and denote hereditary rank. They were originally inscribed on shields and cloaks used to cover armor, but in the modern era, they are often used as decorative status symbols. The pictures, colors, and patterns on a coat of arms are governed by a strict set of rules; each aspect of the design has a specific meaning.

History

Symbols and images have been used by armies as they entered into battle for thousands of years. The ancient Athenians and Corinthians used a variety of animal designs on their shields as far back as the sixth century BCE. The Israelite tribe of Judah adopted a lion as its symbol, and the Roman legions marched under the banner of an eagle.

It is believed that during the time of Charlemagne in the late eighth and early ninth centuries, kings and ruling families began using a combination of patterns and symbols as part of a personal seal marking their court. Eventually, the designs were used on banners carried into battle. These designs served more than just a decorative purpose. To soldiers involved in the confusion of war, they were a quick way to recognize friendly forces on the battlefield.

The Bayeux Tapestry, a depiction of the 1066 Battle of Hastings in which William, Duke of Normandy, conquered England, seems to show men riding into battle with simple designs on their shields. Experts, however, disagree on whether these were true examples of early coats of arms. The first known application of heraldic symbols on a shield occurred in 1127 when the English King Henry I presented his son-in-law with a patterned shield as a wedding gift. By the time of the Second Crusade in the mid-twelfth century, heraldic symbols were common on the battlefields of the Holy Land. With more than twenty kingdoms and feudal lords providing fighters to the Crusade, the patterns were needed to tell the troops apart. The soldiers entered battle carrying shields adorned with a specific design or wore the design on the cloak that covered their armor. This cloak, or surcoat, is the origin of the term coat of arms. The task of regulating the various patterns was entrusted to the herald, or officer of arms.

Early coats of arms were simple, with only one or two colors or geometric designs. Over time, they became more elaborate as images of the sun, the moon, animals, and trees were added to the designs. At first, only kings, nobles, and ruling families were allowed to bear a coat of arms, but eventually, that honor was bestowed upon individuals. Knights who jousted in medieval tournaments were required to have their own coat of arms and were often referred to by their heraldic symbol, such as the Knight of the Swan or the Knight of the Lion.

In 1484, King Richard III of England founded the College of Arms, an institution designed to oversee the distribution of coats of arms and resolve disputes. The college began a program of registering designs and created rules to govern the layout, images, and patterns used on heraldic devices. As warfare evolved, and swords, shields, and armor were replaced by firearms and uniforms, coats of arms moved away from a strictly military application. Countries, universities, and towns began to adopt their own coats of arms, while noble families used their designs as a symbol of hereditary status. In the modern era, the College of Arms and its counterparts in Scotland and Ireland still regulate official British coats of arms. A number of companies, however, design custom-made coats of arms for any individual, albeit in a purely decorative manner.

Overview

Very specific guidelines exist for creating an official coat of arms, although the terminology associated with these rules varies. A traditional coat of arms is known as an Achievement and usually consists of eight parts:

Shield—The shield is the central and most important part of a coat of arms. Its shape can vary from round to oval to pointed. Its color scheme, however, must follow the Rule of Tincture, which prohibits certain colors or patterns from being used together. For example, gold cannot be placed upon silver, and blue cannot be placed upon red. The colors also represent certain qualities associated with the coat of arms. Purple represents majesty, blue represents strength and truth, and green stands for freedom and beauty. A shape or figure placed upon the shield is called a charge. These charges also carry with them a specific meaning. For example, a cross signifies faith, a castle indicates spiritual strength and vigilance, and a swan represents poetry and music.

Helmet—A helmet is often set above the shield as a sign of the rank of the owner of the coat of arms. A helmet with an open visor represents the highest nobility, while a closed helmet signifies lesser status.

Mantling—This is ornate drapery surrounding the helmet above the shield. It is symbolic of the protective head coverings worn by knights to fend off the elements.

Crest—A crest is an object placed above the helmet on a coat of arms. A crest can be any object the bearer chooses and represents the personal objects knights used to tie to their helmets during battle. Some of the most common crests are lions, hands holding swords, or birds' wings. Not all coats of arms have crests.

Wreath—The wreath surrounds the crest and represents a twisted piece of cloth worn by knights around the upper joint of their helmets. The colors of the wreath usually match the primary colors of the shield.

Supporters—These are figures placed on either side of the shield that seem to be holding it up. Supporters are often animals but can also be humans, plants, or inanimate objects. The British Royal Family, for example, has a lion and a unicorn as supporters. The coat of arms for Australia has a kangaroo and an emu on either side.

Compartment—This is the base or ground on which the shield and supporters stand.

Motto—The motto is a phrase or quotation the bearer of the coat of arms chooses as a personal slogan. The motto is usually written on a scroll below the shield but can also be placed above the crest.

Bibliography

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Fox-Davies, Arthur Charles. A Complete Guide to Heraldry. Skyhorse Publishing, 2007.

Hartley-Parkinson, Richard, and Rebecca English. "Kate Middleton Gets Her Very Own Coat of Arms in Time For Royal Wedding (and Handily It Can Be Used for the Family Business Too)." The Daily Mail, 19 April 2011, www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1378441/Royal-Wedding-Kate-Middleton-gets-coat-arms-use-family-business-too.html. Accessed 14 Dec. 2024.

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