Coats of Arms Explained

Summary

This video explains the meanings and distinctions between coats of arms, family crests, and heraldry. It clarifies that a coat of arms refers to the shield design, while a family crest is the image atop the helmet. Heraldry, which emerged in the 12th century, involves the use of unique symbols to represent individuals or families. The video covers the components of a heraldic achievement, including tinctures, charges, and supporters, and provides insight into the rules governing their design. It also offers tips on spotting genuine versus fake coats of arms and encourages viewers to learn more about this fascinating aspect of European history.

Takeaways

• 😀 A **coat of arms** refers specifically to the design on a shield, while a **family crest** is only the small emblem atop the helmet.
• 😀 The term **heraldic achievement** encompasses the entire design, including the shield, helm, crest, supporters, and motto.
• 😀 Heraldry started in the **High Middle Ages**, around the 12th century, but designs on shields date back to classical antiquity.
• 😀 Early heraldic designs likely served to identify soldiers in battle, although their purpose has evolved to include decoration and status.
• 😀 The **heraldic shield** contains the **field** (background) and **charges** (symbols), and the **tinctures** refer to the colors used in the design.
• 😀 There are seven main **tinctures** in heraldry: two metals (gold and silver) and five colors (red, blue, green, black, purple).
• 😀 The **rule of tinctures** dictates that metals (gold/silver) cannot be placed on metals and colors cannot be placed on colors.
• 😀 **Charges** are symbols or images placed on the shield, with common ones including crosses, animals, flowers, and objects, each with specific meanings.
• 😀 **Blazoning** is the term used to describe the formal description of a coat of arms in shorthand, using specific heraldic terminology.
• 😀 **Supporters** are figures placed on either side of the shield, usually animals, that are found on the achievements of high-status individuals.
• 😀 A **motto** is a phrase, often in Latin, chosen by a family or individual to accompany the coat of arms, usually added later.
• 😀 To spot **bogus heraldry**, look for violations of the tincture rule, inappropriate use of royal symbols, thin crosses, or improper supporters.

Q & A

What is the difference between a coat of arms and a family crest?

A coat of arms refers specifically to the design on a shield, representing a family, individual, or organization. A family crest, on the other hand, is only the small image atop the helmet in a heraldic achievement. Many people mistakenly refer to the entire heraldic design as a family crest.

What is a heraldic achievement?

A heraldic achievement is the complete display of a coat of arms, which includes not just the shield, but also the helmet, crest, supporters, compartment, and sometimes a motto. It represents the full heraldic symbol of a person or family.

What are tinctures in heraldry?

Tinctures are the colors and metals used in the design of a coat of arms. There are two metals—gold (or) and silver (argent)—and five colors—red (ghouls), blue (azure), green (vert), black (sable), and purple. There are also furs (hermann and vair), and additional stains like sanguine, murray, and tane.

What is the Rule of Tinctures in heraldry?

The Rule of Tinctures states that metals (gold and silver) should not be placed on top of other metals, and colors should not be placed on top of other colors. This rule ensures clarity in the design. There are exceptions to the rule, such as when a charge is depicted in its natural color or when the shield is divided.

What are charges in heraldic design?

Charges are the images or symbols depicted on the field of the shield, such as crosses, animals, flowers, or celestial bodies. These symbols often have specific meanings, representing ideas like strength, faith, or knowledge.

What is a blazon in heraldry?

A blazon is a formal description of a coat of arms, used to describe its design using specific heraldic language. It is a shorthand method for describing the elements of the shield and other components of the heraldic achievement.

What are supporters in heraldry?

Supporters are figures that stand on either side of the shield, holding it up. They are often animals, but sometimes human figures or buildings are used. Supporters are generally reserved for individuals of high status and are not seen in every heraldic achievement.

How is the helm used in heraldry?

The helm (or helmet) sits atop the shield in a heraldic achievement. The type of helm used traditionally represented the rank of the individual—an open-visor helm indicated nobility, while a closed-visor helm represented lower nobility or gentry. Women and clergymen usually do not have a helm.

What are the different parts of a heraldic achievement?

A heraldic achievement is composed of several parts: the shield (with its field and charges), the helm (helmet), the torse (cloth around the helm), the crest (image atop the helmet), supporters (figures holding the shield), the compartment (the base or landscape), and sometimes a motto.

How can you spot a fake coat of arms?

To spot a fake coat of arms, look for signs such as incorrect use of tinctures (e.g., metals on metals), improper use of royal symbols, thin or incorrect charges, and supporters not placed on a compartment. Additionally, excessive use of cliché charges like lions or fleur-de-lis can indicate a lack of authenticity.