What the colors mean in Heraldry and Coats of Arms

Transcription

1 What the colors mean in Heraldry and Coats of Arms

2 In heraldry, an ordinary (or honorable ordinary) is a simple geometrical figure, bounded by straight lines and running from side to side or top to bottom of the shield. What the Ordinaries mean: The BEND is drawn typically covering 1/5th of the shield running from the upper right corner down to the lower left of the base. If the portion of the shield that the BEND covers also contains a bearing, or charge, it may cover 1/3rd of the surface. BEND Stands for Defense or Protection. BEND SINISTER CHEVRON The BEND SINISTER covers the same area of the shield, but is run from the upper left corner down to the lower right of the base. Marks Royal descent that is barred from succession to the throne by illegitimacy. The CHEVRON represents the roof of a house, derived from the French word 'chevron' meaning rafter. The CHEVRON used to almost reach the very top of the shield and then more nearly attained the 1/3 of the surface of the shield that was allotted to it by the guidelines of heraldry. Now it is drawn lower and with a less acute inner angle to allow more devices to be represented more attractively, and an artist may draw the chevron at the height and angle that will best suit the accompanying charges. Stands for Protection. The CHIEF is a broad band across the top of the shield that stands for authority and domination of will. The CHIEF theoretically contains the upper 1/3 of the shield, although it rarely actually does. CHIEF CROSS Stands for Dominion and Authority. One of the earliest and noblest of the honorable ordinaries. The CROSS is drawn with two bars which run horizontally and vertically across the center of the shield with each bar being 1/5th the width of the shield. There are a large variety of crosses which may be found in heraldry and we will display the majority of them ones on the crosses page

3 Stands for Protection A bar placed horizontally across the shield, occupying onethird of the shield. This bar may have charges placed on it and typically divides the shield into thirds. FESSE It represents a Military Belt or girdle of Honor. A bar placed vertically down the center of the shield, occupying one-third of the field. This bar may have charges placed on it and typically divides the shield into thirds. PALE PILE QUARTER Stands for military strength or fortitude. The PILE is a wedge shaped section with the wide portion at the top of the shield and running to the bottom center point of the shield. When this is drawn plain it is generally 1/5th the width of the shield at the top, when it has charges it is then typically 1/3rd the width of the shield at the top. Stands for military strength or fortitude. The QUARTER is a field covering 1/4th of the shield. It is normally placed to cover the upper right hand portion of the shield and if placed in any other position it must be specified in the blazon. It is a bearing of Honor. The SALTIRE is a combination of the BEND and the BEND SINISTER in the form of an X. It is sometimes referred to as a St. Andrew's Cross. SALTIRE Most frequently stands for protection.

4 Objects are often placed on the shield to represent he family meaning. Objects and their meanings can be found here: A brief description of the meanings of some popular objects: Flowers and fruit Flowers usually represent hope and joy while fruit signifies felicity and peace. There are some more specific meanings for certain flora. Acacia branch or leaves: eternal and affectionate remembrance Apple: liberality, felicity, and peace Bay leaves: poet or victor's laurel Berries: liberality, felicity, and peace Cypress: death and eternal life thereafter Grapes: liberality, felicity, and peace; also associated with wine-making Laurel leaves: peace and/or triumph Oak tree, leaves or bush: great age and strength Olive branch or leaves: peace and concordance Rose: mark of the seventh son (a red rose symbolises grace and beauty while a white rose means love and faith) Animals Animals were frequently used as a main charge in coats of arms. They were shown in certain traditional postures (usually in positions of combat). Usually the animals chosen were fierce and ferocious looking or they represented positive traits such as wisdom, resourcefulness and loyalty. Bear: strength, cunning, ferocity in the protection of one's kindred Boar/boar s head: bravery; fights to the death/hospitality Dolphin: swiftness, diligence, salvation, charity, and love Dove: loving constancy and peace; the Holy Spirit; with an olive branch in its bill, it signifies a harbinger of good tidings Eagle: person of noble nature, strength, bravery, and alertness; or one who is high-spirited, ingenious, quick-witted, and judicious. If wings are displayed, it signifies protection. An eagle with two heads symbolises conjoining forces Elephant: great strength, wit, longevity, happiness, royalty, good luck and ambition Fish: a true, generous mind; virtuous for himself, not because of his heritage; also unity with Christ, spiritual nourishment

5 Fox: one who will use all that he/she may possess of wisdom and wit in his/her own defence Hawk or falcon: one who does not rest until they ve achieved their objective Horse: readiness for all employments for king and country Lamb: gentleness and patience under suffering. A lamb carrying a staff or banner with a cross is a paschal lamb which represents faith, innocence, bravery, gentleness, purity, and a resolute spirit Leopard: valiant and hardy warrior who enterprises hazardous things by force and courage Lion: dauntless courage Panther: fierce but tender and loving to children and will defend her children with her life Stag/stag s antlers: one who will not fight unless provoked; peace and harmony; strength and fortitude Swallow: one who is prompt and ready in doing business; also bringer of good news Swan: poetic harmony and learning or lover thereof; light, love, grace, sincerity, perfection Tortoise: invulnerability to attack Tiger: fierceness and valour; resentment; dangerous if aroused Mythological creatures Some mythological creatures were also used on coats of arms and crests with specific significance in heraldry. Centaur: eminence in the field of battle Dragon/wyvern (dragon with only two legs): valiant defender of treasure; valour and protection Griffin (head, wings, and talons of an eagle with the body of a lion): valour and death-defying bravery; vigilance Harpy (virgin's face, neck and breast with the body of a lion): ferocity under provocation Hydra (dragon with seven heads): conquest of a very powerful enemy Mermaid: eloquence Pegasus: poetic genius and inspiration; messenger of God Phoenix: symbol of resurrection Sphinx: omniscience and secrecy Unicorn: extreme courage; virtue and strength Celestial beings and crosses Crosses on crests are usually symbolic of some Christian experience or sentiment. Figures such as angels and deities represent dignity, glory and honour. Angel or cherub: dignity, glory, and honour; missionary; bearer of joyful news

6 Cross crosslet (crossed at each end): signifies the fourfold mystery of the cross Cross: faith; service in the Crusades Cross (Celtic): unity of heaven and earth Cross fitchée (cross pointed at base): a combination of cross and sword; unshakeable faith Cross flory (cross flowered at each end): one who has conquered Cross pattée or cross formée (cross which has arms narrow at the centre): military honour Cross maltese (cross with eight points): blessings; badge of Knights Hospitaller Cross moline: the mutual converse of human society (said to represent a millstone) Cross raguly: difficulties encountered Seraphim (angel with three pairs of wings): dignity, glory, and honour; missionary; bearer of joyful news Objects Anchor: hope; religious steadfastness Bells: power to disperse evil spirits. A hawk's bells denotes one who was not afraid of signalling his approach in peace or war Chains: reward for acceptable and weighty service. With crowns and collars, this suggests the bearer bore the chain of obligation or obliged others because of services done Fleur-de-lis: purity; light; floral badge of France; represents sixth son as mark of difference Hand/red hand: pledge of faith, sincerity, and justice; two right hands conjoined represent union and alliance/mark of a baronet Harp: well-composed person of tempered judgment; contemplation; mystical bridge between heaven and earth Letter (i.e., a, b, c): may represent great battles or tournaments beginning with that letter Plume of feathers: sign of willing obedience and serenity of mind Scallop shell: traveller to far places or victorious naval commander Sphere: geographical or scientific reference Sword/dagger/dart: justice and military honour Torch: life; zealousness; engaging in signal service; truth and intelligence