Family crests, also known as coats of arms, are visual symbols used to identify noble families and lineages. The colors used in a family crest can have special meanings and significance related to that family’s history, values, and achievements. Understanding the symbolism behind crest colors provides insight into a family’s origins and identity.
The Origins and Purpose of Family Crests
The use of family crests emerged in the 12th century during the Crusades. With warriors dressed head to toe in armor, crests painted on shields allowed soldiers to identify friendly forces on the chaotic battlefield. Over time, the use of family crests spread through the noble class as a way to designate lineage and display status.
While no longer used to identify armored knights, family crests continue to represent a family’s history and values. The specific design elements – including the colors – are meaningful symbols chosen carefully to reflect important attributes and milestones.
Common Colors and Their Significance
There are no strictly defined rules for what specific colors must mean within a crest. However, there are some commonly accepted associations:
Red – Strength, courage, valor, and warrior spirit
Blue – Loyalty, truth, faithfulness, and confidence
White – Peace, sincerity, innocence, and purity
Black – Constancy, wisdom, and seriousness
Green – Love, joy, abundance, and fertility
Purple – Royalty, sovereignty, justice, and temperance
Silver/Gray – Peace, calm, and tranquility
Gold/Yellow – Generosity, elevation, glory, and wisdom
The use of these colors is deeply symbolic, representing the noble virtues and defining characteristics of the family. For instance, a crest dominated by red signifies great military success and warrior strength. Blue conveys unwavering loyalty, while white represents holiness and virtue.
Other Meaningful Elements of Family Crests
In addition to colors, other design elements of family crests have symbolic significance:
Animals – Lions represent courage, eagles denote action and determination, snakes symbolize wisdom. Falcons and hunting dogs link to pursuit and loyalty.
Plants – Laurel sprigs indicate achievement, olives for peace, and oak for wisdom. Roses reference beauty and love.
Celestial symbols – Stars represent honor and good spirit. The sun signifies glory and splendor, the moon denotes peace and serenity.
Geometric shapes – Circles represent eternity. Triangles signify guidance and strength. Squares denote balance and solidity.
Objects – Swords represent honor and valor in battle. Books symbolize learning and intellect. Harps denote harmony and balanced temperament.
The colors and symbols together tell the story of a family’s origins, character, and aspirations. They immortalize lineage, commemorate triumphs, and embody virtues passed down through generations.
Analyzing the Crest of House Stark
Let’s examine the meaning behind the colors and symbols in the crest of the noble House Stark from Game of Thrones:
| Color/Symbol | Meaning |
| Grey | Calmness, neutrality, peace |
| White | Purity, innocence, spirituality |
| Direwolf | Fierce loyalty, family protection |
| Weirwood tree | Wisdom, endurance, reverence |
The cool grey represents the harsh yet beautiful climate of the North where House Stark reigns. White symbolizes the purity of their noble governance and leadership. The direwolf encircling the crest denotes staunch family loyalty and protection. And the weirwood tree embodies the wisdom and perseverance of the Starks.
Together, these colors and symbols summarize key virtues and attributes of this fictional noble lineage – strength, justice, loyalty – colors that ring true given their principled characterization in the books and shows.
Significance of Colors in Chinese Family Crests
Unlike European crests which focus on heraldry, Chinese family crests use color symbolism related to cultural traditions and superstitions. Here are some notable examples:
Red – Celebration, luck, happiness
Yellow – Royalty, nobility
Green – Growth, vitality, health
Blue – Calmness, healing, relaxation
Black – Mystery, depth, confidentiality
Gold – Wealth, prosperity
White – Purity, remembrance, mourning
Beyond colors, Chinese crests incorporate emblems such as the yin-yang symbol for balance, bamboo for resilience, plum blossoms indicating perseverance through adversity, and peaches representing longevity. Dragons symbolize ambition and power. Tigers represent military strength and courage.
The varied use of color and symbolism makes Chinese family crests rich in nuanced meaning related to cultural values and identity.
Conclusion
The colors and symbols used in family crests bear special significance that provide insight into a family’s history and heritage. While there are common associations, the specific meaning behind colors ultimately depends on the family’s origins, achievements, and values. Vibrant reds may indicate great military conquests or celebration of lineage. Cool blues could represent unwavering commitment to truth and justice.
Analyzing the meticulously chosen elements helps unlock the story behind the family identity encapsulated in these cherished emblems. Whether displayed on shields, banners, or documents, family crests continue to have deep resonance centuries after their medieval origins by preserving lineage and commemorating virtue through color and symbol.
