Coat of Arms Design Assignment

Introduction:

During the Middle Ages, knights used a coat of arms to identify themselves. One man in armor looked a lot like another, so the coat of arms was used to identify a knight in battle. In a society where few people could read and write, pictures were very important. A coat of arms was more like a label for instant identification than it was like a painting. You wanted to know instantly who was coming toward you, so you could know which side he was on. Coats of arms later took on further significance and meanings. They also became a way of showing membership in the aristocracy, after they lost their significance in warfare.

Only the oldest son would inherit his family’s coat of arms unchanged; his younger brothers would usually add a symbol to show who they were. The symbol a younger son added was often a smaller picture placed in the middle of the shield. When a woman married, especially if she had no brothers, the coat of arms of her family was often added to her husband’s arms. Sometimes the arms were quartered, or divided into parts. In this case, the man’s family coat of arms was in the upper left quarter (as you look at the coat of arms) and lower right, while the woman’s family’s arms were in the other two quarters. Shields are generally "read" like a book, starting at the upper left, going across and then down.

A coat of arms can have several parts. The main part is a shield, which can have a crest above it, a motto, and animals supporting the shield. A common design on a shield was a pun on the family (last) name. The coat of arms for "Wheatley" has sheaves of wheat on the shield. Some other shields showed allegiance to one side in a dispute 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. A cross used on a shield was always taken very seriously. There are many forms of the cross.

The blazon was a description of the shield in words, using a special vocabulary. The terms used in heraldry are similar to a kind of old French. French was the language used by the aristocracy during the Middle Ages. The idea is that a shield can be described by one expert in heraldry so that another expert could draw it correctly without ever seeing it. To draw the coat of arms from the description is to emblazon it.

Individually:

Assignment: You must create your own coat of arms on an 8 1/2” x 11” sheet of paper. It must contain at least four different sections, as well as a motto that expresses your ideal or goal. On the back side of the paper, you must include your name and a well-developed paragraph explaining your coat of arms.

Upper Left:

Charge: An object or figure that symbolizes qualities of that person. Draw a charge that represents your inner qualities or values.

Animals: Symbolism:

LionBravery, strength, ferocity, heart, loyalty heart,valor

BearStrength, cunning, ferocity in the protection of one's kindred (family)

BoarBravery; fights to the death; head= hospitality

EaglePerson of noble nature, strength, bravery, and alertness; or one who is high-spirited, ingenious, quick-witted, and judicious

HorseReadiness for all employments for king and country

DragonValiant defender of treasure; valor and protection

Griffin Valor and death-defying bravery; vigilance

Falcon: ruthless

Leopard: wisdom, agility

Swan: regal, splendid Sun: splendor

Crescent: victory over adversity

Tower: strength,protection

Lower Left:

Here you are to draw something ,that means a lot to you or a skill that you are proud to possess.

Upper Right:

Here you are to draw something that reflects your family background. It could be something that reflects where you or your ancestors came from, like a map or flag.

Colors: Meaning:

Gules Bright Red Warrior or martyr; Military strength and magnanimity

Azure Royal Blue or Sky Blue Truth and loyalty

Vert Emerald Green Hope, joy, and loyalty in love

Purpure Royal Purple Royal majesty, sovereignty, and justice

Sable Black Constancy or grief

Tawny Orange Worthy ambition

Sanguine Maroon Patient in battle, and yet victorious

Or Gold (yellow) Generosity and elevation of the mind

Argent Silver (white) Peace and sincerity

Lower Right:

This is where you put our class Symbol. It represents we are part of the same group.

Across the bottom or top:

Write a personal motto for yourself.

As a group:

Step one:

Do you want your shield to be divided or not? If so, what shape will you use?

Step two:

Pick a color for your shield's background (field) and characters (charges) from the list of commonly used colors below.

Colors: Meaning:

Gules Bright Red Warrior or martyr; Military strength and magnanimity

Azure Royal Blue or Sky Blue Truth and loyalty

Vert Emerald Green Hope, joy, and loyalty in love

Purpure Royal Purple Royal majesty, sovereignty, and justice

Sable Black Constancy or grief

Tawny Orange Worthy ambition

Sanguine Maroon Patient in battle, and yet victorious

Or Gold (yellow) Generosity and elevation of the mind

Argent Silver (white) Peace and sincerity

Step three:

Pick an animal (called a charge) for your shield from the commonly used animals below. Think about how you want these animals to be portrayed (sitting, standing on hind legs, walking, lying down, etc.)

Animals: Symbolism:

LionBravery, strength, ferocity, and valor

BearStrength, cunning, ferocity in the protection of one's kindred (family)

BoarBravery; fights to the death; head= hospitality

EaglePerson of noble nature, strength, bravery, and alertness; or one who is high-spirited, ingenious, quick-witted, and judicious

HorseReadiness for all employments for king and country

DragonValiant defender of treasure; valor and protection

Griffin (head, wings, talons of eagle, lion body)Valor and death-defying bravery; vigilance

Step four:

Blazon your shield (pick a motto for your group that matches your picture). If you do not know French (me neither) then you may use English or Latin. Below are some examples:

Perrott Amo, ut invenio. I love as I find.

Aut nunquam tentes, aut perfice. Either do not attempt, or complete.

Dinna waken sleeping dogs.

A coeur valliant, rien impossible. To a valiant heart, nothing is impossible.

BisEsse quam videri. To be, rather than to seem.

Vivit qui bene vivit. He lives twice who lives well.