Heraldry began in the early Middle Ages of Europe to help the knights and foot soldiers identify each other during a battle. Since all of the knights wore shiny (sometimes) metal armour covering their whole body, they had trouble identifying their allies during a battle. Thus, the noble and knightly families designed patterns and symbols to paint on their shields that would represent their family. These shields were called coats of arms, and any family of noble rank could have one. Peasants of the middle class could earn their own coat of arms by performing a great deed or earning the favors of a nobleman. Many peasants had their own coat of arms that were not recognized by the College. The College was where all the heralds learned their heraldric skills and where all the official records were kept. Families had to be recognized by the College for their coat of arms to be official. Heralds went to school at a very young age and were taught to read and to write. They had to memorize all of the coats of arms that were in existence, and they were used at battles to help determine where the positions of the enemy and allied knights were on the battlefield. Heralds had their own language for describing the shields, called Blazon. All coats of arms were described in this language; it was an abbreviated way to describe what could be a very complicated coat of arms.

Blazon English ..Symbolism..

Metals & Colors

Or, Yellow, Gold - generosity and elevation of mind
Argent, White, Silver - peace and sincerity
Gules ..... Red - warrior, brave and strong but generous and just; the martyr's color
Azure ..... Blue - truth and loyalty
Vert ..... Green - hope, joy and love
Sable ..... Black - constancy or grief
Purpure ...... purple - Royal majesty, sovereignty and justice.
Tenne ....... tawney - Worthy ambition.
Murray ...... sanguine - Not hasty in battle, and yet a victor.

Heraldic Lines

Nebulee or Nebuly - The sea or water.
Engrailed and Invected - Earth or land.
Indented - Fire.
Dancette - Water.
Ragulee or Raguly - Difficulties which have been encountered.
Embattled - Fire or the walls of a fortress or town.

Ordinaries

Chief - Dominion and authority.
Cross - Chevron - Protection.
Fess - Military belt or girdle of honor.
Bar - For "one who sets the bar of conscience, religion and honor against angry passions.
Pale, Palet or Pile - Military strength and fortitude.
Canton - Bearing of honor. When borne charged, it often contains some special symbols granted by the sovereign in reward for the performance of eminent service.
Quarter - Bearing of honor. Similar to the Canton.
Bend - Defense or protection.
Battune Sinister - Marks a royal descent that is barred by illegitimacy from succession to the throne.
Orle or Tressure - Preservation or protection.
Flasques - Given by a king for virtue and learning, and especially for service in embassage.
Voiders - Given to gentlewomen who have deserved highly.
Bordure or Border - Frequently adopted as a "difference" between relatives bearing the same arms.
Gyron - Unity.

Common Charges

Alerion - Signifies one who having been maimed and lamed in war, was thus prevented from fully asserting his power.
Anchor - represents hope
Angels, Cherubs and Seraphs - Dignity, glory and honor.
Annulet or Finger Ring - Fidelity.
Ant - Symbolizes a man of great labor, wisdom and providence.
Arm - A laborious and industrious person.
Arrow - symbolizes readiness(for battle)
Axe -- Execution of military duty.
Battle Axe - symbol of the execution of military duty
Bear - strength, cunning, and protection toward one's own kin
Beaver - Industry and perseverance.
Bee - Well-governed industry.
Billets - A man who obtained credence, knowledge and faith in his words and deeds, and who was secret in his affairs.
Boar - bravery; one who fights to the death
Boar's head - hospitality
Bow - same as arrow, usually go together
Bridge - Signifies a governor or magistrate.
Buckles - Victorious fidelity in authority.
Bull or Ox - valor, bravery, generosity; horns represent strength and fortitude
Camel - docility, patience and indefatigable perseverance.
Castle or Tower - Safety. grandeur and solidity. Sometimes granted to one who has held one for his king, or who has captured one by force or stratagem.
Cat or Cat-A-Mountain - Liberty, vigilance, forecast and courage.
Celestial Crown - Heavenly reward.
Centuar - For those who have been eminent in the field.
Chains - A reward for acceptable or weighty service.
Cock - courage and perseverance; badge of a hero, always ready for battle, ready to fight to the death.
Cockatrice - Terror to all beholders.
Crescent - Signifies one who has been enlightened and honored by the gracious aspect of his sovereign.
Crossed Thigh-bones - Mortality.
Crosses - Symbolic of some Christian experience or sentiment.
Crow - Signifies a settled habitation and a quiet life.
Crown - Royal or seigniorial authority.
Cubes, squares or dice - Constancy, wisdom, verity probity, and equity.
Cushions - Marks of authority.
Cypress - death and eternal life thereafter
Dolphin - swiftness, diligence, and love, a kind affection towards children. (dolphin depicted having scales)
Dove - Loving constancy and peace.
Dragon - valor and protection
Eagle or Double Eagle - person of deeds and of noble nature, strength, bravery and alertness, ever more occupied in high and weighty affairs, and one of lofty spirit, ingenious, speedy in apprehension and judicious in matters of ambiguity.
Elephant - Courage and strength.
Eye - Providence in Government.
Falcon or Hawk - One eager or hot in the pursuit of an object much desired.
Feathers (usually ostrich) - Willing obedience and serenity.
Fire - Zeal.
Fox - One who will use all that he may posses of sagacity, wit or wisdom in his own defense.
Gannet - To subsist by the wings of his virtue and merit, having little land to rest upon.
Gauntlet - Signify a man armed for the performance of martial enterprise.
Goat - one who wins through politics
Gold Spur - Dignity of knighthood.
Goose and Duck - resourcefulness
Grasshopper - Wisdom and nobility.
Griffin - Sets forth the property of a valorous soldier whose magnanimity is such that he will dare all dangers, and even death itself, rather than become captive.
Hand - sincerity, faith, and judgement
Hares and Rabbits - One who enjoys a peaceable and retired life.
Harp or Lyre - composed person of tempered judgement; contemplation
Harpy - Ferocity under provocation.
Hawk - one who does not rest until he achieves his objective
Heart, Flaming - intense, burning affection
Heart, Human - Charity, clarity and sincerity.
Hedgehog - Provident provider.
Hind(female deer) - peace and harmony
Holly - truth
Horns and Antlers - Strength and Fortitude.
Horse - readiness for all events
Horseshoe - good luck and safeguard against evil spirits
House Snail - Deliberation and perseverance.
Hydra - The conquest of a very powerful enemy.
Lamb - Gentleness and patience under suffering.
Laurel - peace and/or triumph
Leg, Shoe & Foot - Strength, stability and expedition.
Leopard - Valiant and hardy warrior.
Lightning Bolt - Swiftness and power, the effecting of some weighty business with great clarity and force.
Lion - dauntless courage
Lozenge - Honesty and constancy, also held to be a token of noble birth.
Mermaid - eloquence
Millstones - The mutual converse of human society.
Moon - Serene power over mundane actions.
Oak Tree - great age and strength; w/ acorns: continuous
growth and fertility
Ostrich - willing obedience and serenity
Otter - individual who lives life to fullest
Panther - As a lion may be said to signify a brave man, so may a panther a beautiful woman, which, though fierce, is very tender and loving to her young, and will defend it with the hazard of her life.
Owl - One who is vigilant and of acute wit.
Pastoral Crosier - The emblem of a shepherd's watchfulness over his flock, and denotes episcopal jurisdiction and authority.
Peacock - beauty, power and knowledge, pride of carriage.
Pegasus - Exceeding activity and energy of mind whereby one may mount to honour.
Pelican - (shown piercing her breast to feed her young) self-sacrifice, person of charitable nature
Pen or Inkhorn - Emblematic of the liberal art of writing and of learned employments.
Phoenix - Resurrection.
Pillar or Column - Fortitude and constancy.
Portcullis - protection in an emergency
Purse - A frank and liberal steward of the blessings that God has bestowed .
Rainbow - good times after bad
Ram - leader, represents authority
Raven - One who, having derived little from his ancestors, has through Providence become the architect of his own fortunes or one of an enduring constancy of nature. Rhinoceros - Great ferocity when aroused.
Rock - symbol of safety and protection; a refuge
Rose, red - grace and beauty
Rose, white - faith and love
Scaling Ladder - One who was fearless in attacking.
Scallop Shell - traveller to far places; victorious naval commander
Other Shells - Protection of Providence.
Sceptre - Justice.
Scythe or Sickle - Hope of a fruitful harvest of things hoped for.
Serpent/snake - wisdom
Shield - A defender.
Silver Spur - An esquire.
Skulls - Mortality.
Spear or Lance - honorable warrior, valiant knight
Sphinx - Omniscience and secrecy.
Spider - Wisdom, labor and providence in all affairs.
Spur - preparedness, readiness for battle
Squirrel - Sylvan retirement being the delight of its bearer.
Stag, Hart, Buck and Deer - one who will not fight unless severely provoked; policy, peace and harmony; antlers represent strength and fortitude
Stork - Filial duty, emblem of a grateful man.
Sun - (in splendor) glory and splender; fountain of life
Swan - poetic harmony and learning
Swallow - One who is prompt and ready in the dispatch of his business.
Sword - justice and honor
Talbot, Mastiff and Greyhound - Courage, vigilancy and loyal fidelity.
Tiger - Great fierceness and valor when enraged to combat; one whose resentment will be dangerous if aroused.
Tortoise - Invulnerability to attack.
Tree trunk - (sprouting) new life sprouting from old
Trestles and stools - Hospitality.
Trident - Maritime dominion.
Trumpet - Ready for the fray.
Unicorn - extreme courage
Vine tree - strong and lasting friendship
Wheel - fortune
Wings - Celebrity, swiftness and protection or coverture.
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.
Wyvern - valor and protection