Heraldry: Coat of Arms
Heraldry is a visual language used by warriors to identify themselves in battle by colors and symbols. During the Middle Ages each knight had a specially chosen symbol with a distinguishing appearance first displayed on his shield, and later on the surcoat of his armor, this the phrase “coat of arms.”
A son wore the coat of arms of his father, but slight changes were made in
the design and color. 
Thus
people knew father and son. Coats of
arms were passed down from one generation to another. A woman could inherit a crest, and would then add symbols to
represent her character, status, married status, or place in the family. A woman could also be granted a coat of arms
for her own deeds. As man and woman
with family crests married, crest were quartered and both symbols placed on the
coat of arms. Men’s coat of arms had
many traditional guidelines, but women were free to disregard them. Note the quarters and different symbols in
the Arglen coat of arms. To read more
about the history of Coat of arms read Origins of Heraldry.
Each
element on a coat of arms has a name, a symbolic meaning, and purpose. The many parts are crest, helmet (warrior or
occupation) wreath, mantle, shield, supporter, motto (war cry or a phrase or
expression outlook on life or a hope for the future, and sometimes a
compartment.
EXAMPLES OF COAT OF ARMS
British Royal Family's Coat of Arms
Coat-of-Arms and an
explanation of elements and symbols used.
Website: College of Arms.
Heraldry of Universities or Academic
Institutions
Here is Whatcom County’s flag. State and county flags often have a kind of
coat of arms. Note the parts of a coat
of arms.
LEARN ABOUT THEM AND VIEW EXAMPLES
OF COATS OF ARMS
Visual Beginnings An
excellent place to start to browse
Clipart for your coat of arms
Heraldry Assignment
Coats of arms are different for every
organization and individual, but they all tell the story of the people they
represent. Tell your own story by creating a personal coat of arms using a
blank shield from one of the following websites:
Start by choosing symbols that mean
something to you and one that reflects you role in your kingdom. These symbols
can include everything from maple leaves to mountains, animals you connect
with, and/or musical instruments. They must represent you and different aspects
of your culture and cultural heritage and kingdom. Pick a symbol to represents
one of contributions you make to the kingdom. Remember, though, that the best
coats of arms are simple with limited items and colors.
You
must follow the basic rules of heraldry to create an original colored
coat of arms that connects to your personal self and your role in your kingdom:
- The main colors can be used: red, blue, green, purple and black, or
others if proven accepted in your research.
- A coat of arms can also feature two metals: silver (or white) and
gold (or yellow).
- To create contrast between colors, draw in your shield with one of
the five main colors then place one of the metal colors on top (or vice
versa).
- You may also divide the shield in half vertically, horizontally or
as seen in your research. Color
one side in a main color and the other in a metal color, with symbols on
each side drawn in a color that contrasts the background.
- You may want to add additional symbols on your coat of arms by adding a crest above the shield.
- You may want to add mantle to show your role in your kingdom.
- You must add a ribbon with a personal motto printed in English.
- You may want to add supporters.
- Put your name and block on your paper before you turn it in.
A very good book resource is Design Your Own Coat of Arms An Introduction
to Heraldry by Rosemary A. Chorzempa.
Dover Press.