A common design on a shield was a pun on the family last name. For example, the coat of arms for . Some shields showed allegiance to one side in a battle by putting its symbol on their shields. The cross on a coat of arms often meant that the original bearer had been to the Crusades."
Colors & Meaning in a "family crest" or Coat of Arms
| Gold | 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 |
| Green (Vert) | Hope, joy, and loyalty in love |
These symbols were meant to denote the exact family or person represented as well as certain traits that the owner of the coat of arms wanted to be associated with his identity. Animals, plants of different types and trees, birds of various types and fruits were commonly used as shield symbols.
Beasts
- Felines. The lion. The heraldic tyger is an imaginary monster; where the natural beast appears it is blazoned as a Bengal tiger.
- Canines. Fox. Hound (dog).
- Bear.
- Brock or (badger)
- Weasels such as the Ermine (stoat)
- Otter.
- Thylacine.
The red represents the blood of those who died in the country's struggle for independence from Great Britain, the gold represents the mineral wealth of the country, the green symbolizes the country's rich forests and natural wealth, and the black star is the symbol of African emancipation.
In heraldry, an escutcheon (/ɪˈskʌtʃən/) is a shield that forms the main or focal element in an achievement of arms.
Though commonly reviled as a livestock predator and man-eater, the wolf was also considered a noble and courageous animal, and frequently appeared on the arms and crests of numerous noble families. It typically symbolised the rewards of perseverance in long sieges or hard industry.
STAG: A very common heraldic animal, often shown “at gaze.†An emblem of one who will fight if provoked.
The dog is the emblem of faithfulness and guardianship in heraldry. Dogs were considered loyal and temperate and the dog is a symbol of a skilled hunter. It was also associated with priests since priests were watchdogs against the devil.
A white star on a yellow background, for example, would not have been common because it wasn't high contrast enough. These symbols, also called charges, could be found on the background or the ordinaries of a crest. Crests and their symbols were granted by rulers and kings to families of influence under their reign.
: notched in regular oblique breaks —used of a heraldic line of partition or charge (as a cross or saltier)
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.
The lion is a common charge in heraldry. It traditionally symbolises courage, nobility, royalty, strength, stateliness and valour, because historically the lion has been regarded as the "king of beasts". The lion also carries Judeo-Christian symbolism.
: of, relating to, or bearing heraldic arms. Other Words from armorial Example Sentences Learn More About armorial.
Helmet. The helmet supports the crest. Positioning of the helmet represents rank: For example, a helmet facing forward with the visor opened means a knight, while a helmet facing side-ways with the visor closed is for a gentleman.
Parts of a Coat of Arms
- Shield. The shield is the central shape on which the colours and symbols that make up the coat of arms are placed.
- Helmet and mantling. The helmet placed above the shield recalls the origins of heraldry.
- Crest and wreath.
- Motto.
- Supporters and Compartment.
The eight parts of an achievement were:
- The shield.
- The helmet.
- The mantling.
- The wreath.
- The crest.
- The supporters.
- The coronets.
- The mottoes.
A crest is the object placed on top of the helmet and bound to it by what is known as a “wreath of the colours,†a twist of cloth (part of the mantling) of the two principal colours of the arms.
In the golden part of the flag, there appears a burning torch signifying freedom (Uhuru), enlightenment and knowledge; a spear signifying defence of freedom and crossed axe and hoe being tools that the people of Tanzania use in developing the country. The shield stands upon the representation of Mount Kilimanjaro.
In heraldry, a torse or wreath is a twisted roll of fabric laid about the top of the helmet and the base of the crest.
Among them are: the chief, being the top third of the shield; the pale, a third of the shield, drawn perpendicularly through the centre; the bend, a third of the shield, drawn from the dexter chief to sinister base (when drawn from the dexter base to sinister chief, it is a bend sinister); the fess, a third drawn
