The Coat-of-Arms was originally about the individual. It took the place on the battlefield of a tourney's herald, telling all who set eyes upon the brandished shield who this knight was and his accomplishments. A son bore the arms of his father along with a mark of cadency. When the young man had proven himself, he chose arms of his own to proclaim his feats to his peers. Often, these were simple devices: A boar, or an axe brandished in a hand. In the famous tale, Ivanhoe, the hero bore a shield with an uprooted tree, a comment on the fact that his father had disinherited him.

Today, there is much ado about family Coat-of-Arms. These fanciful and colorful creations came about as a result of a central government gaining control of a region and granting lands to their supporters. A side effect was the granting of official 'arms' along with the grants of land.

Of course, this led to combing or quartering arms when such officially recognized families intermarried to establish alliances. All in all, such multi-generational coat-of-arms really existed only for the most important of families. Provided they did not copy their more influential peers, the up and coming man of means designed their own for approval of the various colleges of heralds.

The Colleges of Heralds had traditionally kept tabs of the knights and their emblems. The result was the science of Heraldry.

Anyone who desires to posses a coat of arms should understand at least some of the basic rules that Heraldry follows. These rules are surprisingly flexible, as evidenced by their most modern forms seen in military emblems and state seals.

Above are the traditional colors used in Heraldry. Along with the metals, shownat right, they comprised the palette that was use to create the Coat-of-Arms.The basic rule was simple: Never use color on color or a metal on a metal. Other than that… it was a matter of fact and fantasy.

And it often was fantastic. Strange animals, astrological and religious symbols, as well as everyday implements and animals adorned a knight's shield according to the message he was trying to send his peers. Modern heraldry includes tanks, guns, airplanes and theoretically, typewriters, computers, sports cars. The thing to remember is that heraldry is ultimately based on the individual's accomplishments, and philosophies. Humor is absolutely permitted.

Let's say, for argument's sake, that we're designing a shield for a college football player, a kicker, who is also an accomplished scholar, graduating with a 4.0 grade-point average.

His school colors are red and white. In the example at right, the 4 spots or bezants within the ring are a pun on the 4.0 grade he received. The ring and bezants also indicate trustworthiness. The five stripes across the surface of the shield denote the gridiron of a football field (which could have been green instead). The ivy wreath on the football helmet denotes victory while the goal-posts continue the football theme. A football between the posts could be added as well. Notice the shield does not have to be upright, either.

Everything in heraldry has a meaning, though it may not be immediately obvious to the unfamiliar. You can stick with traditional themes if you like. There is plenty of meaning to go around.

So you want to make up your Coat-of-Arms? You need to consider the following points.

1. Color, too, has meaning. What will your basic colors be?

2. What shape for your shield? The shape can be quite different depending on where your family originates. Also, women, too, can possess a coat-of-arms, though traditionally this is in the form of a lozenge or diamond shaped device.

3. Do you want a crest? The crest posses it's own meaning and has its own rules separate from those of the shield.

4. Most coat of arms posses a motto emblazoned on a scroll beneath the shield. What will your motto be, and in what language? Most traditional mottos are in French or Latin, but many old mottos are in the language used when they were created.

5. Do you want supporters? These are the animals, humans or shapes placed to each side of the shield or lozenge.

6. Do you want a base? This is the 'ground' the shield rests upon and often is a background to the scroll. Sometimes it adds a bit of stability to a design that otherwise might fly away.

Need some more help? Do you seek the 'deeper' meaning? Contact us at info@arundelgifts.com for more information