Heraldic Shield Stripes. ... A vertical stripe on the shield, for instance, was called a Pale and denoted military strength . A horizontal stripe was called a Fess and was used to represented honour. A diagonal stripe, called a bend, was used to symbolise defence.
What does it mean if your family has a crest?
Family crests and coats of arms are powerful family symbols passed down through generations. ... The symbolism in the design of a family crest or coat of arms can tell you about your ancestors' achievements and status in society —a real testament to a family's legacy.
What do Colours mean on a coat of arms?
Silver / White – Argent: Signifies truth, sincerity, peace, innocence and purity. Gold – Or: Signifies wisdom, generosity, glory, constancy and faith. ... Blue – Azure: Signifies loyalty, chastity, truth, strength and faith. Red – Gules: Signifies magnanimity, military strength, warrior and martyr.
How do you read a coat of arms?
- Gold: generosity and elevation of the mind.
- Silver or white: peace and sincerity.
- Red: warrior or martyr, also military strength or magnanimity.
- Blue: truth and loyalty.
- Green: hope, joy, and loyalty in love.
- Black: constancy.
- Purple: royal majesty, sovereignty, and justice.
What are the symbols of coat of arms?
| Color Heraldic Name Symbolism | Gold or Yellow Or Generosity and elevation of the mind | Silver or White Argent Peace and sincerity | Red Gules Warrior or martyr; Military strength and magnanimity | Blue Azure Truth and loyalty |
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What's the difference between family crest and coat of arms?
A crest is an element or part of a coat of arms, but not the entire arms. On a coat of arms, the crest is found above the shield, usually on top of a helmet. ... The crest, however, could be used by multiple members of a family, on their own individual coats of arms.
What does blue represent in the coat of arms?
Blue is strongly associated with tranquility and calmness . In heraldry, blue is used to symbolize piety and sincerity. liquids), air and sky (airlines, airports, air conditioners), water and sea (sea voyages, mineral water). Blue is linked to consciousness and intellect.
How do you know if your family has a crest?
- Determine What You Already Know. You'll need to decide on a branch of your family you want to research and trace that family name back as far as you can. ...
- Look for Heraldry Symbols. ...
- Verify the Information You Find. ...
- Understand the Symbolism. ...
- Get a Useable Family Crest for Genealogy.
Do all families have a coat of arms?
A. No. There is no such thing as a ‘coat of arms for a surname ‘. Many people of the same surname will often be entitled to completely different coats of arms, and many of that surname will be entitled to no coat of arms.
Do German families have coat of arms?
Do we have your German coat of arms and German crest? A German family crest is actually part of the coat of arms picture . The crest is the part above the helmet and is just one element of the coat of arms. The sample shown below is just one of many German coats of arms and German family crest that we have on record.
What should go in a coat of arms?
The coat of arms on an escutcheon forms the central element of the full heraldic achievement which in its whole consists of: shield, supporters, crest, and motto . A coat of arms is traditionally unique to an individual person, family, state, organization or corporation.
What does a AXE mean on a coat of arms?
The battle-axe is a symbol of authority and of the execution of military duty . The battle-axe denoted a warlike quality in its bearer. The battle-axe was a veering introduced to heraldry as a token of the crusades, which began shortly after the rise of heraldry itself. ... It is a common symbol on a crest.
What does the Unicorn represent in the coat of arms?
Unicorns are associated with purity, strength and power . ... Since the 15 th Century, many monarchs of Scotland have used the unicorn in their coat of arms. Kings favored the mythical beast because they considered it to be the best representation of power.
What is another name for having a special symbol or coat of arms?
| arms badge | emblem ensign | escutcheon logo | pennon shield | insignia symbol |
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How did families get coat of arms?
Finding a Family's Coat of Arms
Coats of arms are granted to individuals, not families or surnames. A form of property, coats of arms may rightfully be used only by the uninterrupted male-line descendants of the person to whom the coat of arms was originally granted .
How are coat of arms passed down?
They are granted to individuals only. To legally use the arms, a person must be the person to whom the arms were originally granted or a direct male-line descendant (in a legitimate line of descent... ... That person then has the right to pass down the arms through the legitimate male line of their family .
