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Symbolisms of Heraldry
Designing Your Shield
Design
your shield first:
1.
Divisions:
Divide the shield into sections; for example, use bars, diagonals, a
cross, or create your own.
2.
Symbols:
Adopt symbols for your person, such as animals (deer, lion, horse, bird,
rabbit), man-made objects (castle, sword, key, shovel, gun), or items
from nature (tree, flower, fruit).
3.
Colors:
Choose a metal (gold, silver, copper) and a color (or colors) for your
coat of arms. Then color in the shield accordingly.
4.
Motto:
Create an inscription or motto; then write it on the scroll provided on
the page.
Symbolisms of Heraldry
The following
symbolisms have been excerpted from W. Cecil Wade's "The Symbolisms
of Heraldry or A Treatise on the Meanings and Derivations of Armorial
Bearings". Published in
London
in 1898.
Colors and
Metals
Or, yellow or
gold -
Generosity.
Argent, white or
silver -
Peace and sincerity.
Sable or black
- Constancy, sometimes grief.
Azure or blue
- Loyalty and truth.
Gules or red
- Military fortitude and magnanimity.
Vert or green
- Hope, joy and sometimes loyalty in love.
Purpure, purple
- Royal majesty, sovereignty and justice.
Tenne or tawney
- Worthy ambition.
Murray
or sanguine
- Not hasty in battle, and yet a victor.
Common Charges
Lion
- Deathless courage.
Tiger
- Great fierceness and valor when enraged to combat; one whose
resentment will be
dangerous if aroused.
Bear
- Ferocity in the protection of kindred.
Wolf
- Denotes valiant captains that do in the end gain their attempts after
long sieges and
hard enterprises. One whom it is dangerous to assail or thwart.
Rhinoceros
- Great ferocity when aroused.
Elephant
- Courage and strength.
Heraldic Tiger
- Same as Tiger.
Leopard
- Valiant and hardy warrior.
Panther
- As a lion may be said to signify a brave man, so may a panther a
beautiful
woman, which, though fierce, is very tender and loving to her young, and
will defend it
with the hazard of her life.
Horse
- Readiness for all employments for king and country.
Bull or Ox
- Valor and magnanimity.
Boar -
A fierce combatant when at bay, and ceases fighting only with its life,
and therefore
may be properly applied as the armorial bearing of a warrior.
Goat
- Emblem of that martial man who wins a victory by the employment rather
of policy
than valor.
Lamb
- Gentleness and patience under suffering.
Ram
- Authority.
Hares and
Rabbits -
One who enjoys a peaceable and retired life.
Squirrel
- Sylvan retirement being the delight of its bearer.
Hedgehog
- Provident provider.
Beaver
- Industry and perseverance.
Fox
- One who will use all that he may posses of sagacity, wit or wisdom in
his own
defense.
Talbot, Mastiff
and Greyhound
- Courage, vigilancy and loyal fidelity.
Cat or
Cat-A-Mountain
-
Liberty
, vigilance, forecast
and courage.
Camel
- Docility, patience and indefatigable perseverance.
Bee
- Well-governed industry.
Ant
- Symbolizes a man of great labor, wisdom and providence.
Spider
- Wisdom, labor and providence in all affairs.
Grasshopper
- Wisdom and nobility.
House Snail
- Deliberation and perseverance.
Double Eagle and
Eagle -
Signifies a man of action, ever more occupied in high and
weighty affairs, and one of lofty spirit, ingenious, speedy in
apprehension and judicious in
matters of ambiguity.
Alerion
- Signifies one who having been maimed and lamed in war, was thus
prevented
from fully asserting his power.
Wings
- Celebrity, sometimes protection or coverture.
Feathers
(usually ostrich) - Willing obedience and serenity.
Falcon or Hawk
- One eager or hot in the pursuit of an object much desired.
Hawks or Falcons
Bells - One
who feared not to signal his approach in either peace or
war.
Owl
- One who is vigilant and of acute wit.
Peacock
- Beauty and pride of carriage.
Pelican
- Devoted and self-sacrificing charity.
Stork
- Filial duty, emblem of a grateful man.
Swan
- A lover of poetry and harmony.
Goose and Duck
- A man of many resources.
Gannet
- To subsist by the wings of his virtue and merit, having little land to
rest upon.
Swallow
- One who is prompt and ready in the dispatch of his business.
Cock
- Courage, always ready for battle, ready to fight to the death.
Dove
- Loving constancy and peace.
Raven
- One who, having derived little from his ancestors, has through
Providence
become the architect of his own fortunes or one of an enduring constancy
of nature.
Crow
- Signifies a settled habitation and a quiet life.
Dolphin
- Charity and a kind affection towards children.
Tortoise
- Invulnerability to attack.
Unicorn
- Extreme courage.
Griffin
- Sets forth the
property of a valorous soldier whose magnanimity is such that he
will dare all dangers, and even death itself, rather than become
captive.
Dragon
- A most valiant defender of treasure.
Cockatrice
- Terror to all beholders.
Sphinx -
Omniscience and secrecy.
Pegasus
- Exceeding activity and energy of mind whereby one may mount to honour.
Harpy
- Ferocity under provocation.
Mermaid
- Eloquence.
Centuar
- For those who have been eminent in the field.
Hydra
- The conquest of a very powerful enemy.
Phoenix
- Resurrection.
Stag, Hart, Buck
and Deer -
Policy, Peace and Harmony.
Horns and
Antlers -
Strength and Fortitude.
Escallop Shell
- One who has made long journeys or voyages to far countries, who had
borne considerable naval command or who had gained great victories.
Other Shells
- Protection of
Providence
.
Heart
- Charity, sincerity.
Flaming Heart
- Ardent affection.
Hand
- Faith, sincerity and justice.
Red Hand
- Usual mark for a baronet if borne on a small escutcheon.
Arm
- A laborious and industrious person.
Gauntlet
- Signify a man armed for the performance of martial enterprise.
Leg
- Strength, stability and expedition.
Shoe
- Same as Leg.
Foot
- Same as leg.
Human Head
- Honor.
Blackamoor Head
- Deeds of prowess in the Crusades.
Skulls
- Mortality.
Crossed
Thigh-bones
- Mortality.
Eye
-
Providence
in Government.
Millstones
- The mutual converse of human society.
Sceptre
- Justice.
Trident
- Maritime dominion.
Crown
- Royal or seigniorial authority.
Celestial Crown
- Heavenly reward.
Pastoral Crosier
- The emblem of a shepherd’s watchfulness over his flock, and
denotes
episcopal jurisdiction and authority.
Annulet or
Finger Ring
- Fidelity.
Lozenge
- Honesty and constancy, also held to be a token of noble birth.
Billets
- Their first bearer was a man who obtained credence, knowledge and
faith in his
words and deeds, and who was secret in his affairs.
Pen
- Emblematic of the liberal art of writing and of learned employments.
Inkhorn
- Same as pen.
Harp
- Contemplation.
Lyre
- Same as harp.
Scythe
- Hope of a fruitful harvest of things hoped for.
Sickle
- Same as Scythe.
Anchor
- Succor in extremity and the Christian symbol of hope.
Ship, Lumphiad
or Galley -
All such symbols would point to some notable expedition by
sea, by which, perhaps, the first bearers had become famous.
Cubes, squares
or dice -
Constancy, wisdom, verity probity, and equity.
Lozenge
- Same as Cubes.
Axe
-- Execution of military duty.
Purse
- A frank and liberal steward of the blessings that God has bestowed .
Tower or Castle
- Grandeur and solidity. Sometimes granted to one who has held one for
his king, or who has captured one by force or stratagem.
Bridge
- Signifies a governor or magistrate.
Pillar or Column
- Fortitude and constancy.
Snake
- Wisdom.
Scaling Ladder
- One who was fearless in attacking.
Crosses
- Symbolic of some Christian experience or sentiment.
Trestles and
stools -
Hospitality.
Cushions
- Marks of authority.
Angels, Cherubs
and Seraphs
- Dignity, glory and honor.
Estoiles
- Emblems of God’s goodness or of some eminence in the first
bearer above the
ruder sort of men.
Mullet
- Denotes some Divine quality bestowed from above.
Gold Spur
- Dignity of knighthood.
Silver Spur
- An esquire.
Sun
- Glory and splendor.
Crescent
- Signifies one who has been enlightened and honored by the gracious
aspect of
his sovereign.
Moon
- Serene power over mundane actions.
Fire
- Zeal.
Lightning
- The effecting of some weighty business with great clarity and force.
Rocks
- Safety, refuge and protection.
Portcullis
- Effectual protection in emergency.
Hunting Horn -
One who is fond of high pursuits.
Trumpet
- Ready for the fray.
Cannon, Mortars,
Cannon Balls and Grenades
- Well bestowed on those who have dared
their terrors in sieges and battles.
Sword
- Indicates the bearer to a just and generous pursuit of honor and
virtue in warlike
deeds.
Arrows and
Arrowheads -
Martial readiness.
Spear or Lance
- Knightly service and devotion to honor.
Spear Heads or
Pheons -
Dexterity and nimbleness of wit to penetrate and understand
matters of highest consequence.
Shield
- A defender.
Saddles,
Stirrups and Spurs
- Preparedness for active service.
Horse Shoe
- Good luck.
Trunk of a Tree
- An object of veneration.
Fusil
- Travel and labour.
Shacklebolt
- Victory in war.
Water Bougets
- Conferred on those who had brought water to an army or besieged place.
Catharine Wheel
- Emblem of one who is prepared to undergo great trials for the
Christian
faith.
Escarbuncle
- Supremacy.
Buckles
- Victorious fidelity in authority.
Clarion or Rest
- Same as Trumpet.
Beacons or
Cressets -
One who is watchful for the commonwealth or who gave the signal
in time of danger.
Chains
- A reward for acceptable or weighty service.
Fusil of Yarn
- Negotiation.
Fret
- Persuasion
Gold Roundles
- One who has been found worthy of trust and treasure.
White Roundles
- Generosity.
Wheel
- Fortune.
Cornucopia
- Bounty of Nature’s gifts.
Chaplets and
Wreaths -
Granted for special service.
Basic Clip Art for Shields
Shield Designs
Many
thanks to Heraldry on the Net's web site for the wonderful information
displayed here for my class.
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