Coat of Arm
Project
Definition
• A coat of arms is a distinctive heraldic design on a
tunic used to cover and protect armor, but the
term is more broadly applied to mean a full
heraldic (heraldry: the profession, study, or art of
creating, granting, and blazoning arms and ruling
on questions of rank or protocol) achievement
which consists of a shield and certain accessories.
In either sense, the design is a symbol unique to a
person, family, corporation, or state. Such
displays are also commonly called armorial
bearings, armorial devices, heraldic devices, or
arms.
History
• Historically, armorial bearings were first used by
feudal lords and knights in the mid-12th century on
battlefields as a way to identify allied from enemy
soldiers. Initially, those closest to the lords and
knights adopted arms. Other ecclesiastical dignities
adopted coats of arms, usually to be used as seals
and other such insignia, and then towns and cities to
likewise seal and authenticate documents. The
widespread assumption of arms led some states to
regulate heraldry within their borders. However, in
most of continental Europe, citizens freely adopted
armorial bearings.
Heraldic Colors:
Yellow or Gold - Generosity
White or Silver - Peace & Sincerity
Black - Constancy (& sometimes Grief)
Blue - Loyalty & Truthfulness
Red - Military Fortitude & Magnanimity
Green - Hope, Joy & sometimes Loyalty
Purple - Royal Majesty, Sovereignty & Justice
Heraldic Symbols:
Axe - Dutiful
Bridge - (signifies a governor or magistrate)
Crescent - Enlightenment
Crosses - Christian sentiments
Crown - Authority
Fire - Zeal
Flaming Heart - Passion
Fleur-de-lys (stylized Iris flower) - Purity (associated with France)
Hand - Faith, Sincerity & Justice
Heart - Sincerity
Horns & Antlers - Fortitude
Lightning - Decisiveness
Moon - Serenity
Oyster Shell - Traveler
Ring - Fidelity
Scepter - Justice
Star - Nobility
Sun - Glory
Sword - Warlike
Tower or Castle - Fortitude & Protectiveness
Heraldic Animals:
Bear - Protectiveness
Bee - Industriousness
Camel - Perseverance
Dog - Loyalty
Double Eagle & Eagle - Leadership & Decisiveness
Dragon - Defender of Treasure
Falcon or Hawk - Eagerness
Fox - Cleverness
Griffin (part eagle, part lion) - Bravery
Horse - Readiness to Serve
Lion - Courage
Pelican - Generosity & Devotion
Raven - Constancy
Snake - Ambition
Stag, Elk or Deer - Peace & Harmony
Tiger - Fierceness & Valor
Unicorn - Extreme courage
Wolf - Constant Vigilance
Cadency
• Cadency is any systematic way of distinguishing
similar coats of arms belonging to members of
the same family. Cadency is necessary in heraldic
systems in which a given design may be owned by
only one person (or, in some cases, one man) at
once. Because heraldic designs may be inherited,
the arms of members of a family will usually be
similar to the arms used by its oldest surviving
member (called the "plain coat"). They are
formed by adding marks called brisures, similar
to charges but smaller. Brisures are generally
exempt from the rule of tincture.
Coat of Arms of Spain
The coat of arms appears in the flag of Spain.
The Spanish coat of arms symbolizes
the country, the old kingdoms of
Spain, the Royal Crown, the
Imperial Crown, the
Constitutional monarchy,
the Spanish national motto:
Plus Ultra, and the Pillars of
Hercules with the Spanish
geographic situation.
Coat of arms of Colombia
The coat of arms contains a shield with numerous
symbols. Perched on top of the
shield is an Andean
Condor holding an olive
crown and the condor
Symbolizing freedom.
The National motto,
Libertad y Orden, is on
a scroll in between the
bird and the shield.
Gallery of Coat of Arms
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gallery_of_count
ry_coats_of_arms