A personal coat of arms is a heraldic symbol that represents an individual person, rather than a family or corporate entity. While coats of arms originated as symbolic identifiers used by medieval knights on shields and banners, they are still used today as a way for individuals to create a unique emblem that represents their personality, values, and interests.
History and Origins
The earliest coats of arms emerged in the Middle Ages, around the 12th century. Back then, knights wore armor covering their entire body, including their faces. Coats of arms made it possible to identify knights by displaying symbols, patterns and figures on their shield or banner. This helped distinguish friend from foe on the battlefield. It also allowed knights to be recognized in tournaments. Originally, the coat of arms was passed down from father to son only. Women did not inherit coats of arms.
Heraldry, the system governing coats of arms, was established to maintain order and ensure each symbol was unique. New arms had to be registered and approved by officers called heralds. This prevented confusion between knights bearing similar symbols. Heraldry regulated the use of various heraldic charges, tinctures, divisions and ordinaries. These standardized elements made up the visual language of coats of arms.
As the medieval era progressed, coats of arms evolved beyond just identifying armored knights. They became symbols of lineage passed down through noble families. Kings and lords often had elaborate coats of arms featuring crests, supporters, helms and crowns. These dynastic coats of arms represented an entire house, rather than one person.
Personal vs. Family Coats of Arms
While medieval coats of arms were typically hereditary, passed down through male heirs, new traditions emerged later. Women were eventually allowed to inherit coats of arms through heiresses. Illegitimate sons could also receive arms. Some coats of arms represented individuals rather than families. Especially talented knights and individuals who performed heroic feats might earn the honor of a personal coat of arms from a monarch.
Today, many civic organizations like schools, cities and universities have adopted coats of arms to represent their values and history. However, family coats of arms are still used by those who can trace lineage back to a Medieval armiger. Personal arms have also regained popularity as people research their genealogy and revive old heraldic traditions.
Design Elements
Though modern personal arms have more freedom of design, traditional heraldic principles still apply. Personal coats of arms often contain some of these classic elements:
- Shield or escutcheon – The main heraldic device displaying the bearer’s symbols and charges.
- Crest – An emblem above the shield, often placed atop a helm or crown.
- Supporters – Creatures or human figures that flank the shield, holding it up.
- Motto – A short phrase or saying accompanying the arms.
- Mantling – A stylised cloak or cloth wrapped around the helm and crest.
- Compartment – What the supporters stand on, such as a grassy mound.
Though not mandatory, these elements help personal arms resemble traditional coats of arms. The most important part remains the shield and the symbols charged upon it.
Basic Charges
Heraldic charges are the images and figures displayed on the shield. Anything can become a charge, from animals, plants and celestial bodies to geometric shapes and mythological creatures. Here are some of the most common charges seen on personal coats of arms:
- Lions – Known as the king of beasts, lions symbolise courage, strength, sovereignty and justice. They are depicted rampant (standing on back legs), passant (walking on all fours), or statant (standing on all fours).
- Eagles – Eagles represent courage, fortitude and immortality. They are shown displayed (with wings open) or close (wings folded).
- Snakes – Serpents and snakes historically represented wisdom, rebirth and longevity. They may be depicted coiled or glissant (bent in wavy posture).
- Boars/Pigs – Associated with determination and bravery. Also hospitality, if their tusks are cut off.
- Bears – Strength, ferocity in protection. Mother bears represent care and nurturing.
- Wolves – Loyalty and guardianship. Lone wolves represent independence.
- Horses – Elegance, grace, nobility, chivalry and freedom.
- Ravens – Thought,mind and wisdom. Associated with death omens and underworld gods.
- Doves – Peace, love, gentleness. Symbol of the holy spirit.
- Foxes – Cleverness, intelligence, insight. Also associated with trickery.
- Crescents – The moon. Can represent cycles, intuition, dreams.
- Stars – Hope, truth and spirituality.Guiding lights.
- Trees – Life, growth, family lines, seasons.Oaks represent strength.
- Bridges – Connection, overcoming obstacles, stability.
- Crowns/Tiaras – Sovereignty, rank, leadership. Victory and reward.
- Feathers – Communication, lightness, ascension. Also truth and justice.
- Keys – Security, access gained. Can represent guardian, gatekeeper, or hope.
- Books – Wisdom, intelligence. The book itself or an open book.
- Compass – Direction, travel and discovering one’s way in life.
- Ankh – Ancient Egyptian hieroglyph for life.
- Infinity – Eternity, unlimited potential, perpetualness.
Heraldry has a complex visual language for depicting charges in different positions and tinctures. This blazoning language precisely describes the coat of arms. For example, a rampant gules lion on a sable shield would denote a red lion rearing on its hind legs, on a black background.
Meaningful Symbols
When designing personal arms, individuals often choose charges that represent their values, interests, career or origins. Here are some examples:
- A teacher’s coat of arms might feature books, quills, lamps of knowledge and other symbols of learning.
- A sailor’s arms could display ships, anchors, dolphins and waves of the sea.
- A doctor’s coat of arms may include the Rod of Asclepius, bowls, mortar & pestle, etc.
- An aviator’s arms might depict wings, feathers, balloons, stars or aircraft.
- Symbols of a favorite sport like tennis racquets, golf clubs, or baseball bats.
- Charges related to one’s nationality like the maple leaf for Canadians.
- Figures from mythology, astrology, nature, religion or fantasy.
Whimsical charges like unicorns and dragons are perfectly acceptable in modern personal arms. However, charges should not violate heraldic principles. Quartered backgrounds, geometric shapes and inanimate objects like axes and hammers remain popular choices.
| Charge | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Owl | Wisdom, intelligence |
| Rose | Beauty, love, balance |
| Oak Tree | Strength, endurance |
| Compass | Travel, discovery |
| Anchor | Maritime, stability |
| Clover | Luck, Irish heritage |
Whichever charges are chosen, a coat of arms should cohesively represent the bearer’s identity and what they wish to display to the world.
Blazon and Registration
To make personal arms official, most heraldry societies require a blazon (technical description) to accompany any newly designed coat of arms. This blazon precisely identifies the composition and tinctures used, according to heraldic terminology. Here is an example blazon:
Arms: Azure, an owl displayed argent crowned Or, on a chief Or three roses gules barbed and seeded proper.
Once the coat of arms is registered with the appropriate heraldic authority, it becomes exclusive to the bearer. No one else can legally use those arms. Registries protect personal coats of arms from plagiarism. However, registration is not mandatory in most countries today.
Display and Usage
While mediavel knights famously displayed their heraldry atop kite shields, modern bearers have many options for showcasing personal arms. Some popular ways to display a coat of arms include:
- Hanging a plaque or framed achievement in one’s home or office.
- Imprinting the design on stationery, business cards and letterhead.
- Incorporating it into a personal flag or banner.
- Embroidering the arms onto clothing or accessories.
- Carving the shield into decorative architectural elements.
- Including the arms on a personal website, social media page or blog.
- Adding the emblem to jewelry like rings, pendants and cufflinks.
- Having the arms made into a decorative ceramic or stained glass piece.
- Incorporating the shield into a family crest tattoo.
An individual does not need a noble pedigree to proudly display personal arms. However, courtesy dictates not displaying a coat of arms at state and royal functions without proper ancestral or heraldic authority.
Adopting Existing Arms
Those wishing to adopt ancestral arms of their family name must trace an unbroken male line back to the original armiger. Adopting existing arms by other means falls under assumptive arms, which are considered taboo by traditional heraldry. However, some modern heraldic societies recognize armorial adoption when:
- The original armiger left no male heirs.
- The family died out completely.
- There is strong evidence linking the adopted arms to family ancestry.
- The arms are re-registered with a new blazon and artwork.
Adopted arms usually differ slightly from the originals. Consulting heraldic authorities is advisable before assuming any existing coat of arms.
Conclusion
Personal coats of arms enjoy renewed interest as people seek to celebrate their identity and heritage. With meaningful symbols and vibrant colors, personalized heraldry can represent an individual’s passions, origins and aspirations. While conveying ancestry and honors like traditional arms, modern personal arms focus on expressing who someone is or wants to be. With imagination and proper heraldic principles, anyone can create their own emblem and add a touch of medieval majesty to their identity.