Heraldry

Directions for a Coat of Arms

Represent yourself through pictures. What is important in your life? If a shield stood for your life, what would be on it? Family, friends, sports, clubs, music, hobbies, etc. may be included.

During the Elizabethan Age, when Shakespeare lived and wrote his plays, a family could be identified by its coat of arms. One reason for the use of coats of arms was because few people could read; therefore symbols conveyed a family’s identity the way that words would today. Another reason was so that, in battle, soldiers could quickly tell if another man was a friend or foe.

You will create your own coat of arms. You may choose to represent your family, including its background, or just yourself as an individual with your specific interests, goals, etc.

ü List your colors and what they mean: _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ ü List your symbols and what they mean: _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________
 * Choose a shape for your coat of arms.
 * Decide if and how you will divide your coat of arms.
 * Choose colors—different colors represent different things—see the list.
 * Choose symbols—see the list—choose things that reflect you/your family.
 * Things to consider including on your coat of arms:
 * 1) Background of your family—ethnicity, religion, profession
 * Ex: Mrs. Alpert would include Irish, English German, and Catholic religion… Education would be in her coat of since she is a teacher.
 * 1) Your interests—sports, hobbies, etc.
 * Ex: Mrs. Alpert would use track, cross country, baseball, music, history and shopping on this part of her shield
 * 1) Your goals—education, career, family, etc.
 * 2) People/pets/places/possessions that are important to you
 * Ex: Mrs. Alpert would put husband, four children, dogs, Juno and Tater, collection of vintage hats and purses and The Delta Phi Epsilon Sorority.
 * 1) Who you are/how you want others to see you…


 * // 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 (tan) ** - Worthy ambition
 * Murray or sanguine (maroon) ** - 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 provoked
 * 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 provoked
 * Elephant ** - Courage and strength.
 * Leopard ** - Valiant and hardy warrior.
 * Panther ** - As a lion may be said to signify a brave man, so may a panther a beautifulwoman, which, though fierce, is very tender and loving to her young, and will defend itwith 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 (in the forest) 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 owndefense
 * 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 andweighty affairs, and one of lofty spirit, ingenious, speedy in apprehension and judicious in matters of ambiguity
 * Wings ** - Celebrity, sometimes protection or coverture
 * Feathers ** (usually ostrich) - Willing obedience and serenity
 * Falcon or Hawk ** - One eager in the pursuit of an object much desired
 * Hawks or Falcons Bells ** - One who feared not to signal his approach in either peace orwar
 * 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
 * Swallow ** - One who is prompt and ready in the dispatch of his business
 * Dove ** - Loving constancy and peace
 * Raven ** - One who, having derived little from his ancestors, has through Providencebecome 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 hewill dare all dangers, and even death itself, rather than become captive
 * Dragon ** - A most valiant defender of treasure
 * Sphinx ** - Omniscience and secrecy
 * Pegasus ** - Exceeding activity and energy of mind whereby one may mount to honour
 * 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 hadborne 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
 * Arm ** - A laborious and industrious person
 * Leg ** - Strength, stability and expedition
 * Shoe ** - Same as Leg
 * Foot ** - Same as leg
 * Human Head ** - Honor
 * Skulls ** - Mortality
 * Crossed Thigh-bones ** - Mortality
 * Eye ** - Providence in Government
 * Trident ** - Maritime dominion
 * Crown ** - Royal or seigniorial authority
 * Celestial Crown ** - Heavenly reward
 * Annulet or Finger Ring ** - Fidelity
 * Pen ** - Emblematic of the liberal art of writing and of learned employments
 * Inkhorn ** - Same as pen
 * Harp ** - Contemplation
 * 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
 * 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 forhis 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
 * Cushions ** - Marks of authority
 * Angels, Cherubs and Seraphs ** - Dignity, glory and honor
 * Sun ** - Glory and splendor
 * Crescent ** - Signifies one who has been enlightened and honored by the gracious aspect ofhis 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
 * 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 warlikedeeds
 * 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 understandmatters 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 (respect)
 * Chains ** - A reward for acceptable or weighty service
 * Wheel ** - Fortune.