What does coat of arms mean for kids?
A coat of arms is a special symbol that represents a person, family, country, town, organization, or company. Coats of arms were first used by knights in the Middle Ages to identify themselves on the battlefield. Here are some quick answers about coats of arms for kids:
– A coat of arms is like a visual name tag or logo for a person or group. It contains symbols, shapes, and colors that have special meaning.
– Coats of arms are made up of different parts. Common elements include a shield shape, helmet, crest, motto, supporters, and more.
– In the past, coats of arms were painted on shields and sewn onto surcoats (long sleeveless garments worn over armor) to identify knights in combat.
– Noble families used coats of arms to show their status. Their unique design became associated with the family name.
– Towns, cities, countries, and organizations can have coats of arms too. They represent the history, values, and uniqueness of the group.
– Rules of heraldry determine the colors, layout, shapes, and symbols used in a coat of arms. There is an art to creating them.
– Studying a coat of arms can teach you about the origins and meaning behind an individual, family, place, or institution.
What is a coat of arms?
A coat of arms is a symbolic design that represents a person, family, town, country, organization, or corporation. Coats of arms are made up of different elements that have special meaning. The specific symbols, shapes, colors, and motto have historical significance.
Originally, coats of arms were painted onto shields or stitched onto surcoats ( sleeveless garments worn over armor) to identify medieval knights on the battlefield. They allowed knights to recognize allies and opponents.
Over time, coats of arms evolved to represent noble families. They became associated with surnames passed down through generations. Towns, cities, institutions, churches, and governments also adopted unique coats of arms to represent their history and values.
Today, coats of arms are no longer used in battles. But they continue to symbolize the heritage and individuality of families, places, institutions, professions, and corporations. Studying a coat of arms can reveal details about its origins and evolution over time.
What are the parts of a coat of arms?
A coat of arms consists of several parts that come together to form the overall design. Common elements include:
Shield or escutcheon – The shield shape frames the central image. It may be curved, pointed, or squared on the bottom.
Helmet – Historically placed above the shield to represent rank in battle. Styles indicate nobility.
Crest – An image or sculpture above the helmet, often part of the knight’s helmet decor.
Wreath – Decorative twist of two colors below the crest.
Mantling – Stylized cloak attached to the helm and wreath. Represents cloth cloak covering armor.
Supporters – Creatures, people, or symbols that flank and “support” the shield.
Motto – Phrase with symbolic meaning, often in Latin. Usually placed on scroll.
Compartment – What supporters stand on, such as ground, grass, or rocks.
| Part of Coat of Arms | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Shield | Central image framed by the shield shape |
| Helmet | Indicates rank and status in battle |
| Crest | Decorative image or sculpture above helmet |
| Wreath | Twisted decoration below crest |
| Mantling | Stylized cloak covering armor |
| Supporters | Creatures or figures flanking the shield |
| Motto | Phrase with symbolic meaning |
| Compartment | Surface supporters stand on |
Not all coats of arms contain every element. Simple designs may only have a shield and motto. More elaborate coats of arms include many decorative parts surrounding the shield. Each component has special significance.
Why were coats of arms created?
Coats of arms originated during the Middle Ages in Europe. As knights engaged in battles and tournaments, unique symbols painted on shields enabled them to identify friend from foe. The custom of painting identifying charges on combat shields soon led to the development of family crests.
A knight’s coat of arms served several important functions:
– Recognizing allies on the battlefield
– Intimidating enemies with fierce designs
– Identifying lineage and social status
– Marking property and official documents
– Decorating seals, flags, clothing, and armor
Originally, the right to a coat of arms was limited to knights and noblemen who fought in the Crusades. Later, the privilege extended more broadly as family surnames developed. Wealthy landowners commissioned artists to create coats of arms reflecting their history and values.
Over centuries, the traditions of heraldry grew increasingly complex. The custom of coats of arms spread beyond battles into aristocratic culture. They came to represent honor, ancestry, and legacy.
How did coats of arms represent families?
During the Middle Ages, coats of arms evolved to symbolize noble families in addition to individual knights. As family surnames emerged, distinctive heraldic designs became associated with dynasties.
Heraldry transformed into a complex system for indicating lineage. All legitimate descendants of a family shared the same coat of arms. The design passed unchanged from generation to generation.
Differences showed relation and birth order:
– Eldest sons inherited the exact coat of arms from fathers.
– Younger sons incorporated minor variations.
– Illegitimate sons had different colors or symbols.
– Daughters incorporated their family crest into their husband’s shield.
This enabled anyone familiar with heraldry to learn about a person’s ancestry based on their arms. Coats of arms recorded marriages, children, and battles. They became visual family trees.
What are the rules of heraldry?
Heraldry developed as a complex science with many rules dictating coats of arms. Officials called heralds controlled the registration of arms. Standards ensured meaningful, consistent designs that prevented duplication.
Some key heraldic principles include:
Color – Tinctures (colors) have specific meanings. Gold/yellow represents generosity, white is peace, red means military might.
Division – Shields may be divided into multiple sections with different charges in each.
Charges – Images such as animals, plants, objects, and mythical beasts depicted on the shield.
Ordinaries – Basic early shield patterns such as stripes, crosses, and chevrons.
Allusions – Charges referring to the bearer’s name, occupation, or history.
Cadency – Modifications to a coat of arms indicating birth order and family lineage.
Augmentation – Adding symbols to honor heroic deeds and special royal honors.
Strict rules prevented mixing random elements. Following heraldic principles ensured symbolic meaning and prevented confusion between similar coats of arms.
How do you read a coat of arms?
Learning basic heraldic terms and conventions allows you to interpret the meaning of a coat of arms:
Shape – The form of the shield offers clues. Common shapes include curved, pointed, squared, notched, or complex line divisions.
Partitions – How the shield is divided indicates family alliances. Basic partitions include parted, quartered, checkered, or solid.
Charges – Recognizable symbols, animals, crosses, and objects within the partitions. Simple, bold designs.
Tinctures – Colors used have set meanings. Metals like gold and silver, colors including red, blue, black, green.
Ordinaries – Stripes, chevrons, crosses, and geometric bands with historic significance.
Helmet – The style of helmet indicates rank, social status. Helms faced forward suggest aggressiveness. Facing left is defendive.
Crest – Decorative charge atop helmet, part of knight’s pageantry. Often relates to rank, occupation, or exploits.
Supporters – Creatures and figures flanking the shield lending emotionality. Protective and symbolic.
Motto – Phrase expressing values, vocation, or history. Often in Latin. Provides insight into origins.
With practice, you can interpret the symbology and history behind each component of a coat of arms!
What are common charges and symbols?
The images and figures selected as charges in a coat of arms carry meaning. Here are some frequent choices and their significance:
Lion – Symbol of courage, strength, royalty. Historically indicates fierce warrior nobility.
Eagle – Majesty, power, military might. Emphasizes intellect, leadership, and vision.
Bear – Ferocity in protection, maternal care. Indicates bravery and indistinct lineage.
Deer – Peacefulness, purity, natural nobility, and maternal virtue. Gentleness.
Dragon – Valor and protection. Defence of virtue. Emphasizes wisdom and longevity.
Unicorn – Purity, healing powers, gentility. Associated with Christ and virginity.
Griffin – Guardian of priceless treasures. Courage and strength with compassion.
Rose – Beauty, femininity, love. Often related to the Virgin Mary. Romanticism.
Fleur-de-lis – French monarchy. Can represent perfection, light, and life.
Crescent moon – Hope, growth, ascent. Also Oriental overtones of faith rising from darkness.
Sun – Glory, splendor, intellect. Associated with cultures of ancient worship and truth.
Castle – Safety, security, longevity. Indicates grand establishment and foundation.
What do the colors mean?
Colors play a key role in heraldry. Specific hues communicate shared meanings in European coats of arms:
Gold (Or) – Generosity, elevation of the mind, wisdom, faith, glory. Associated with nobility.
Silver (Argent) – Peace, sincerity, humility, purity, innocence, integrity, and serenity.
Red (Gules) – Warrior, martyr, military strength, courage, passion, heat, and daring.
Blue (Azure) – Truth, loyalty, faith, constancy, reason, contemplation, justice, and royalty.
Black (Sable) – Constancy, grief, prudence, humility, wisdom, and penitence.
Green (Vert) – Hope, joy, abundance, loyalty in love, traditionally an imperial color.
Purple (Purpure) – Royal majesty, sovereignty, justice, and temperance. Associated with royalty.
Tinctures are never mixed, and lighter metals and colors are not placed on top of darker ones. The choice of hues is symbolic.
What are common ordinaries in heraldry?
Early coats of arms featured simple bold stripes and bands called ordinaries. They later grew more complex but ordinaries still carry meaning:
Chief – Horizontal band across the top of the shield. Authority.
Pale – Broad vertical stripe down the middle. Military strength.
Bend – Angled band from top left to bottom right. Defense and protection. Scarf of knight commander.
Bend sinister – Bend angling from top right to bottom left. Corruption, illegitimacy.
Fess – Horizontal stripe across center. Authority of belt.
Bar – Thinner horizontal bands. Derived from warrior armor bars.
Chevron – Inverted v shape. Protection, loyalty, builders. From rafters and military insignia.
Cross – Divine calling to service and sacrifice. Plus sign guide and inspiration.
Ordinaries establish foundational patterns on shields before more unique charges are added. They reflect values of strength, protection, authority, and faith.
How are family connections shown in coats of arms?
Complex rules developed in heraldry to demonstrate family ties through subtle variations in coats of arms:
Cadency – Oldest son inherits unmodified arms from father. Younger sons incorporate small additions called marks of cadency:
– Crescent moon – Second son
– Mullet star – Third son
– Martlet bird – Fourth son
– Annulet ring – Fifth son
– Fleur-de-lis – Sixth son
– Rose – Seventh son
– Cross Moline – Eighth son
– Octofoil flower – Ninth son
Marshalling – Combining two coats of arms through marriage. The husband’s entire shield placed in the center of the wife’s.
Quartering – Dividing shield into quadrants showing alliances of ancestors. Layers family lineages.
Augmentation – Adding symbols as rewards for valor and achievements. New elements granted by monarchs.
Differencing – Minor variations in color or charge to distinguish branches of one family. Daughters incorporated father’s arms into husband’s.
These conventions made it possible to identify family trees and ancestry through meticulous study of heraldic arms. Historians can still decipher these connections today.
Why do countries have coats of arms?
Like noble families, countries and towns use coats of arms to represent their history and values. National coats of arms may appear on currency, passports, government buildings, official seals, and documents.
Elements emphasize national pride and key moments. For example:
– United States – Bald eagle clutching olive branch and arrows. Symbols of strength and peace.
– Canada – Shield with maple leaves, lion, unicorn, and crown. Unity, royalty, French and English heritage.
– Jamaica – Black crocodile, pineapple, Coat of Arms tree. Connection to indigenous Taino people and thriving fruit industry.
– Greece – Laurel wreath of Olympic achievement. White cross reflects faith, blue sky/waves suggest geography and naval tradition.
– China – Giant panda, dragon, Tibetan antelope. Highlights rare wildlife and calligraphy symbolizing culture.
– Egypt – Eagle of Saladin, ancient symbols like sphinx. Honor early Pharaonic rule and Islamic influences.
National arms encapsulate cultural icons, wildlife, heroes, achievements, and history in proud symbols. They represent shared national identity.
What other institutions use coats of arms?
Beyond families and countries, many entities create coats of arms to convey ideals and establish visual identity:
Cities – Symbols meaningful to a town’s founding and growth. Ex: Pine tree and white rose for Yorkshire, England.
Universities – Visual metaphors for the pursuit of knowledge. Ex: Yale’s open books and Hebrew words Urim and Thummim meaning “light and truth.”
Companies – Meaningful symbols and mottoes capturing corporate values. Ex: Mercedes Benz’s 3-pointed star representing motorized vehicles on land, sea, and air.
Schools – Illustrations of the learning experience. Ex: Eagle with key and scrolls suggesting courage, achievement and scholarship for Boston College.
Sports Teams – Animals and colors associated with attributes like strength, speed, nobility. Ex: Chicago Blackhawks black hawk image connotes war, power and spirit.
Government Bodies – Symbols of the responsibilities and values of public service. Ex: Scales of justice and maple leaf for Canada’s Law Society.
Coats of arms visually encapsulate the history, ideals and endeavors of organizations and institutions. They create an iconic symbol to rally around.
How are personal coats of arms designed today?
While heraldic coats of arms were once limited to nobility, today anyone can create their own personal or family crest. Heraldic authorities still exist to approve official coats of arms. But individuals are free to design meaningful symbols of their values and life story.
Modern personal heraldry focuses on symbols that represent your aspirations, accomplishments, interests, origins, and beliefs. Anyone can craft a personal coat of arms in five steps:
1. Consider key themes, values, and history to highlight.
2