Coat of Arms
Background Information
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Coats of Arms date to the early Middle Ages. In the early twelfth
century, helmets and other armor began making it difficult to tell
armed warriors apart. The solution was for each knight or soldier to
paint something personal on their shield. These designs were
important in battle, but they also functioned like team uniforms
when knights met in tournaments. Overtime, shield emblem designs
became enduring symbols of their owners, and of their owners'
families.
Background Information
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It became quite fashionable to have a "coat of arms", so people hired
artists to design them. The designs weren't just used on shields. They
were applied on tunics, saddle blankets, banners and tapestries. They
were duplicated in sculpture and architectural features. They were used
in signs and advertisements. They were carved into coins, jewelry (e.g.
signet rings) and the personalized stamps for sealing letters. Soon,
Coats of Arms weren't just for soldiers! From about 1210 A.D., some
priests are known to have had them. The first women known to have
had their own coat of arms got them around 1220. Around 1230 towns
and cities began having coats of arms. Tradesmen and even peasants
started using coats of arms around 1250. In an era when few people
could read or write, coats of arms made it easier for people to
recognize each other's marks. Before you design your own coat of
arms, it'll be useful to look at a few traditional heraldic designs.
Observe the traditional design elements. What do you think they
symbolized for the people who chose to wear them? Below is a list of
some elements you may want to include in your designs.
Meaning of Colors
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Yellow or Gold – Generosity (Metal)
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White or Silver - Peace & Sincerity (Metal)
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Black - Trustworthiness (& sometimes Grief)
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Blue - Loyalty & Truthfulness
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Red - Military Fortitude
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Green - Hope, Joy & sometimes Loyalty
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Purple - Royal Majesty, Sovereignty & Justice
Meaning of Animals
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Bear - Protectiveness
Bee - Intensity
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- Loyalty
Snake - Ambition
Stag, Elk or Deer - Peace & Harmony
Tiger - Fierceness & Courage
Meaning of Symbols
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Hand - Faith, Sincerity & Justice
Heart - Sincerity
Flaming Heart - Passion
Crown - Authority
Finger Ring - Reliability
Fleur-de-lys (stylized Iris flower) - Purity (associated with France)
Crosses - Christian sentiments
Scepter - Justice
Oyster Shell - Traveler
Horns & Antlers - Strength
Axe - Obedient
Sword - Warlike
Bridge - (signifies a governor or magistrate)
Tower or Castle - Strength & Protectiveness
Crescent - Enlightenment
Fire - Passion
Lightning - Decisiveness
Moon - Serenity
Star - Nobility
Sun - Glory
Types of Shields
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Bend - a diagonal stripe
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Chevron- an upside-down "V“
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Chief - broad stripe across top of shield
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Fess - broad horizontal stripe through center
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Pale - broad vertical stripe through center
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Per fess (halved horizontally)
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Party per pale (halved vertically)
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Party per bend (diagonally from upper left to
lower right)
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Party per bend sinister (diagonally from upper
right to lower left)
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Party per saltire (diagonally both ways)
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Party per cross or quarterly (divided into four
quarters)
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Party per pall (divided into three parts in a Y
shape)
Make your own shield!
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You must use at least 2 different colors and divide your Shield using
the common design features section
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Include at least 2 heraldic animals
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Include at least 2 heraldic symbols
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Any additional symbols you add must be explained (what the
symbols represent)
Directions for Coat of Arms
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Must include the following:
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Surname
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Helm
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Mantle
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Shield
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Crest
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Motto
Presenting your Shield
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Oral Presentation Requirements:
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You will present your coat of arms in front of the class. The following list describes
what you should include in your presentation. You may use ONE card, but you
cannot write out the entire speech. Be sure to practice what you are going to
say, so you are comfortable speaking in front of the class.
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Introduction–Prepare an attention getting opener of one or two sentences
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Describe family name coat of arms. What do the colors and symbols stand for?
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OR
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Describe your coat of arms. What do the colors and symbols stand for?
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Why did you choose the symbols that you did?
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Why did you choose the colors that you did?
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Conclusion– Have a ONE sentence closing. It should NOT be “I hoped you liked
my presentation