Coats of arms were an important part of medieval culture and society. They served as unique identifiers for knights, nobles, cities, regions, and even some craft guilds. The symbols and figures on a coat of arms, known as charges, each carried specific meanings that revealed something about the history, values, or character of the bearer. Understanding the symbolism behind medieval coats of arms provides insight into the beliefs, aspirations, and customs of medieval society.
Heraldry and Coats of Arms
Heraldry, the system of designing and regulating coats of arms, arose in Europe during the Middle Ages. It emerged out of the need for armored knights to identify one another on the battlefield. The coat of arms was displayed prominently on a knight’s shield, banner, and surcoat (a tunic worn over armor) to mark him as a friend or foe. Over time, coats of arms came to represent noble families and could be passed down through generations. New families aspiring to noble status also adopted coats of arms as symbols of legitimacy.
By the 13th century, coats of arms had become complex emblems rich in symbolic meaning. Their design and regulation was overseen by appointed officers called heralds. Heraldry developed into a sophisticated science with its own rules and language that classified hundreds of charges, colors, and divisions of the shield. As heraldry grew in importance, coats of arms took on more functions beyond just identification in warfare. They stood as representations of reputation, virtue, and legacy.
Common Charges and Their Meaning
The charges depicted on a coat of arms were meant to visually tell the story of the bearer, reflecting history, character, values, social status, territorial claims, or other attributes. Here are some of the common charges found in medieval heraldry and what they signified:
Lions – One of the most popular charges, the lion represented courage, nobility, sovereignty, and military might. It was featured in the coats of arms of medieval nobility across Europe. The position and number of lions had added meaning – lions walking with one paw raised were seen as royal figures, while two lions facing each other indicated the bearer had participated in a victorious duel.
Eagles – As the king of the birds, the eagle symbolized power, authority, and supremacy. Its sharp vision made it an emblem of perspicacity and keen intelligence. Eagles with spread wings indicated an assertion of authority.
Serpents and Dragons – Serpents and dragons signified wisdom, rebirth, death, and the devil in medieval symbolism. But depicted in specific poses, they had other meanings – an upright dragon meant valor and protection, while a serpent eating its own tail represented eternity.
Unicorns – The unicorn symbolized purity, innocence, and grace. Its horn was said to have healing and cleansing powers. Being a wild animal that could not be easily tamed, it also embodied chastity and virtue.
Bears – As a powerful beast, the bear represented strength and courage. But its clumsy movements made it an emblem of rashness and recklessness. The bear was a popular charge in the coats of arms of German noble families.
Horses – Horses and horse heads frequently appeared in medieval coats of arms, especially as crests sitting atop helmets. The horse stood for readiness for battle, endurance, and speed. Variations carried additional meaning – a pegasus symbolized poetic genius while a seahorse represented power over water.
Weapons – Charges of weapons like swords, arrows, and battle axes conveyed the bearer’s readiness and eagerness for battle. Specific weapons could also represent elite knighthood – a lance and shield indicated a knight, while crossed battle axes symbolized a crusader.
Tinctures and Colors
In heraldry, the background field of a coat of arms was called the tincture. The tincture was painted in colors that signified certain attributes. Here are some of the most common tincture colors:
Red (Gules) – Red represented military courage, strength in battle, and magnanimity. It was the color of fire and blood. Medieval accounts portrayed knights and warriors in red armor.
Blue (Azure) – Blue symbolized truth, loyalty, steadfastness, and faithfulness. The dark blue color was associated with the Virgin Mary. It also represented the sky and heavenly grace.
Green (Vert) – The color green embodied youth, hope, joy, beauty, and the Earth’s abundance. It was tied to the concepts of renewal and revival in medieval symbolism. Green was popular in Italian coats of arms.
Black (Sable) – Black signified constancy, shadow, depths, and the Underworld. Bearers of black coats of arms were seen as wise, honest, and trustworthy. Black also indicated grief and loss.
Purple (Purpure) – Purple represented royal majesty, sovereignty, justice and temperance. As a rare, expensive dye, the color purple was associated with nobility, high ranks, and ambition. Bishops and church officials bore coats of arms with purple tinctures.
White (Argent) – White symbolized light, goodness, innocence, and purity. It represented faith and integrity. As silver represented the moon in alchemy, white also signified tranquility and sincerity.
Divisions of the Shield
The field of a coat of arms could be divided into sections using lines and ordinary shapes. These divisions of the shield, known as ordinaries, added further layers of meaning:
Pale – A vertical stripe down the center of the shield signifying military fortitude and virtuous service.
Fess – A horizontal stripe representing experience in administration and authority.
Cross – The emblem of faith, the cross (like the Christian crucifix) conveyed noble religious zeal and sacrifice.
Chevron – An inverted ‘V’ shape that signified protection, construction, and roofing. Chevrons were granted to those who built churches or fortresses.
Saltire – An ‘X’ shape representing military service, specifically the virtue of the knights who protected pilgrims on their journeys.
Bordure – A border around the edge of the shield that often signified protection, nobility, or family alliance when colored.
Crests, Supporters & Mottoes
In addition to the shield, medieval coats of arms featured other elements like crests, supporters, and mottoes that communicated further meaning:
Crest – Placed atop the helmet, the crest signified high ambitions and excellence. Crests were made from elaborate three-dimensional objects like animal heads, wings, horns, or plumes.
Supporters – Figures that stood on either side of the shield holding it up, usually beasts or human figures relating to the bearer’s name or rank. Supporters represented guardianship and protection.
Motto – A short phrase usually positioned on a scroll under the shield. Mottos expressed a virtue, belief or mission statement of the bearer. Famous examples include the British monarch’s ‘Dieu et mon droit’ (God and my right) and the United States’ ‘E pluribus unum’ (Out of
