Understanding the Basics of Heraldry and Coats of Arms
A coat of arms is a visual symbol that represents a person, family, organization, or region. These designs have been used for centuries, dating back to medieval times when knights needed ways to identify themselves on battlefields. The term "coat of arms" originally referred to a garment worn over armor that displayed these symbols. Today, coats of arms continue to serve as important emblems in heraldry—the practice of designing, displaying, and describing these symbolic designs.
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The basic structure of a coat of arms consists of several components working together. At the center is the shield, which forms the foundation of the design. Surrounding or accompanying the shield are additional elements that may include a crest, supporters, a motto, and various decorative features. Each component carries meaning and follows specific rules developed over centuries of heraldic tradition.
Understanding heraldic traditions helps you create a meaningful coat of arms. The field refers to the background color of the shield, while charges are the symbols, animals, or objects displayed on it. Colors in heraldry are called tinctures and include specific hues like gules (red), azure (blue), and or (gold). Metals used in heraldry are limited to or (gold) and argent (silver). These traditional colors and metals were chosen partly because they displayed well on shields and armor, and partly because they held symbolic meaning.
Many regions and countries maintain formal heraldic traditions with organizations that oversee coat of arms registration and design. In England, the College of Arms holds this responsibility. Other countries have similar institutions. However, personal and family coats of arms can be designed without formal registration, especially if you're creating one for personal or organizational use rather than official purposes. Learning the traditional rules of heraldry will help your design look authentic and meaningful, even if you choose an informal approach.
Practical Takeaway: Familiarize yourself with the key components of a coat of arms—shield, crest, supporters, and motto—and understand that heraldic traditions developed over centuries provide guidelines for creating meaningful, balanced designs that communicate identity and values.
Choosing Your Shield Shape and Field Color
The shield serves as the canvas for your coat of arms and choosing the right shape is your first design decision. Different shield shapes have been popular during different historical periods and in different regions. The most common modern shield shape is the heater shield, which resembles an upside-down triangle with a curved or pointed bottom. This shape became standard during the medieval period and remains popular today because it provides good balance and clear space for displaying charges.
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Other traditional shield shapes include the tournament shield, which is narrower and more pointed; the Italian shield, which features a square base with curved sides; the Spanish shield, which has an angled corner cut from the lower left; and the French shield, which has a rounded top and sides. You might also encounter the lozenge shape, which is diamond-shaped and traditionally used for women's coats of arms in some heraldic traditions. The shape you select can reflect your heritage, personal preference, or the intended use of your coat of arms.
The field color, or background of the shield, is your next choice. Traditional heraldic colors include gules (red), azure (blue), vert (green), sable (black), and purpure (purple). The metals are or (gold/yellow) and argent (silver/white). Some heraldic traditions also include patterns called furs, such as ermine (white with black spots) and potent (a blue and white pattern). When selecting your field color, consider what message or feeling you want to convey. Red traditionally suggests courage and military strength. Blue represents loyalty and truth. Green symbolizes hope and growth. Gold conveys generosity and prosperity. Silver or white suggests peace and innocence. Black can represent constancy or grief.
A crucial heraldic rule is the principle of contrast, often called "tincture of tinctures." This rule states that metal should never be placed directly on metal, and color should never be placed directly on color. Instead, metal should be placed on color, and color on metal. This rule developed because it improves visibility and readability of the design. When you're planning your charges—the symbols you'll place on your field—keep this principle in mind. If your field is a color like azure, your charges should be metal (gold or silver) or positioned on a metal area. This creates visual distinction and ensures your coat of arms remains clear when viewed from a distance or reproduced in different sizes.
Practical Takeaway: Select a shield shape that appeals to you, choose a field color that represents qualities or values important to you or your family, and remember that your charges should contrast with your background by following the rule that metals go on colors and colors go on metals.
Designing Your Charges and Selecting Meaningful Symbols
Charges are the primary symbols, images, or objects displayed on your shield. These are what make your coat of arms unique and meaningful. Traditional charges include animals, plants, geometric shapes, objects related to crafts or professions, and celestial symbols. The animals most commonly used in heraldry are lions, eagles, dragons, stags, and horses. Each animal carries traditional symbolic meaning. Lions represent courage, strength, and nobility. Eagles symbolize power and protection. Dragons convey fierceness and protection. Stags suggest grace and gentleness. Horses represent speed, strength, and nobility.
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Plants and flowers also appear frequently in heraldic designs. Roses symbolize love and beauty. Oak leaves represent strength and endurance. Laurel branches convey honor and victory. Wheat symbolizes fertility and harvest. If you have a family trade or profession, you might incorporate relevant tools or objects. A farmer might include a ploughshare, a baker a sheaf of wheat or bread loaf, a blacksmith an anvil, or a sailor an anchor. These occupational symbols help connect your coat of arms to your family's history and work.
Geometric charges include crosses, which appear in many variations in heraldry. A Latin cross, Greek cross, or St. Andrew's cross all carry different meanings and visual impact. Chevrons (upside-down V shapes) traditionally represent protection and achievement. Stripes or divisions of the shield can create interesting patterns. Stars, moons, and suns bring celestial symbolism. Numbers matter too—a single lion differs from three lions in meaning and arrangement. Three often symbolizes completeness or the Trinity in Christian contexts. Two can represent partnership or balance.
When designing your charges, think about what values, history, or characteristics you want to represent. Consider combining multiple charges that work together visually. A traditional approach uses one main charge (perhaps a lion) with smaller supporting charges (such as three stars or small shields). The arrangement should be balanced and not too crowded. Leave some negative space on your shield to ensure clarity. If you're designing a coat of arms for a family, you might include elements from each family member's interests or heritage. If you're creating one for an organization, select symbols that represent its mission or values.
Practical Takeaway: Choose charges that hold personal meaning or symbolism relevant to your identity, profession, or organization; understand what traditional symbols represent; and arrange them thoughtfully to create visual balance while leaving adequate space on your shield.
Adding Supporting Elements: Crests, Supporters, and Mottos
Beyond the shield itself, a full coat of arms can include additional decorative and symbolic elements that add depth and meaning. The crest is a three-dimensional figure or object that sits above the shield, typically resting on a wreath or coronet. Historically, crests were actual three-dimensional designs that topped a knight's helmet, which is why they appear above the shield. Crests are optional—many coats of arms consist only of a shield with charges—but they add visual interest and provide another opportunity for symbolism. A crest might be an animal's head, a hand holding an object, wings, or other meaningful imagery.
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Supporters are figures, usually animals, that stand on either side of the shield as if holding it up. Supporters were traditionally associated with higher ranks and formal heraldry but can be incorporated into personal designs for visual impact and additional symbolism. Common supporters include lions, dragons, griffins, and other powerful or meaningful animals. If you use two supporters, they might be identical or different. You might use one supporter instead of two. Supporters add formality and grandeur to a coat of arms and work particularly well for organizational or family designs with significant history.
A motto is a short phrase or saying that appears on a banner, usually at the base of the coat of arms