Coat of Arms Symbols and Meanings

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1 Coat of Arms Symbols and Meanings Colors and symbol meanings Gold (or): generosity and elevation of the mind Silver or white (argent): peace and sincerity Red: warrior or martyr; military strength and magnanimity Blue: truth and loyalty Green: hope, joy, and loyalty in love Black: constancy or grief Purple: royal majesty, sovereignty, and justice Orange: worthy ambition Maroon: patient in battle and yet victorious 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

2 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 highspirited, 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 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

3 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

4 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 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

5 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 You can trace your family history by researching your family tree on Genes Reunited. Perhaps you ll find out if anyone in your family acquired a family crest or coats of arms. Now you re aware of some of the meanings behind the colours and symbols, you might be able to determine some of your ancestors' traits and gain a sense of your family s heraldry.