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A coat of arms is the graphic
symbol of a family. It is a historical symbol which
is part of a system of identification which has
endured all social and political upheavals for
hundreds of years, spanning dozens of
generations.
The bearing of a coat of arms
is a great and positive influence on a family
because, for its very purpose, it represents
family unity. It gives the individual a sense
of place and belonging to a family. It
encourages the social structure of family, its
values, Godly honour and service to
society.
As a coat of arms is
displayed, it serves as a
constant reminder
to bearers of
that name of their ongoing responsibility,
adding meaning and honour to their family name.
It graphically represents a proud relationship
with your family's heritage. It serves as a
visible reminder of a relationship between
past, present and future generations to have a
history, adding new values to today's
life.
Displaying a coat of arms one
calls one's own can only increase its meaning,
its value, and its influence. It adds honour
and recognition to the original bearer of the
arms. What greater honour by man could be
bestowed upon an original bearer than to assure
its continuance and influence with present and
future generations?
What is a Coat of
Arms?
The concept of a coat of arms
came from the knight’s suit of armour. As that
was metal, it would get quite hot or cold
depending on the weather, so they wore a
garment over the armour and often a smaller
cloth over the helmet.
When visors were added to
helmets, creating a need for an identifying
design, one place to put it was on the shield,
and the other was on that garment, which could
be called a tabard or coat. Another place to
have an identification symbol was on top of the
helmet. Soon the design comprised the design on
the shield, with the mantle above and around it
representing the garment, then the helmet above
that with a wreath or torse to hold the helmet
cloth, and finally any additional item fixed to
the helmet.
It was pictorial, as literacy
was unusual a thousand years ago, but many
added a motto if they wished.
Elements
of a Coat of
Arms
The coat of arms is an identifiable set of
symbols that signify a family name, at least
during modern
times.
In times past, a coat of arms might vary
between different members of a family.
Sometimes, more than one family would use the
same coat of
arms.
The elements of a coat of arms represent
the different parts of the ceremonial clothing
worn by a knight in battle or a in tournament,
that is, the helmet and crest, the shield and
the cloak.
Motto
The motto is a slogan or motivating philosophy
for a family. It is part of the official
blazon. It is part of the design devised by the
original author of the coat of
arms.
The banner, placement of the words, and font
style for the words are up to the
artist.
Crest
Family crests can be used independently, but
they are also an essential component of the
coat of arms. The crest is whatever appears
above the helmet in the coat of
arms.
For example, a lion, or buck, or dragon. A
crest might be made of wood, metal, or boiled
leather and worn on the knight's helmet, or on
a belt. The crest is part of the official
blazon.
Shield
The shield is also part of the official
blazon of a coat of arms. The colors and the
charges (i.e., the figures upon the shield) are
also part of the
blazon.
However, the shape of the shield is not. So the
shape may vary from artist to artist. Sometimes
different shapes can also signify different
geographical origins or the time
period.
Helm
The helm, or helmet, is NOT part of the
official blazon, and may vary with the wearer's
rank. It can also vary depending on the century
represented or even the artist's
preference.
The closed visor facing left that is pictured
in the example above represents the rank of an
esquire.
Wreath
The wreath, which is also known as the torse,
was worn around the top of the helmet. Made of
two pieces of silk twisted together in real
life, the wreath was given to a knight by a
lady who selected him for her
knight.
The wreath is NOT part of the official
blazon.
Mantle
The mantle, or mantling, is NOT part of the
official blazon, although the colors may be.
This part of the coat of arms represents the
mantle, or cloak, worn by a
knight.
It would have hung from the helmet and
protected the knight. In the coat of arms, the
mantle is often represented by leaves woven in
and around the other
elements.
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