HERALDIC SUPPORTERS
Posted On : 04/18/2013
Supporters are figures or animals, placed on either side of the shield area of a coat of arms. (Family Crest) Sometimes they are the same on each side, other times there is a different image of either side. Woodward & Burnett, writing in “A treatise on heraldry” declared that “Supporters are figures of living creatures placed at the side, or sides, of an armorial shield and appearing to support it. Originally, it is thought that supporters arrived with the invention of the engraver. Artists would fill in the blank areas at each side of the shield with fanciful imag.......View More
THE HERALDIC SERPENT
Posted On : 04/04/2013
The serpent occurs quite often in coats of arms (Family crests) from England and Ireland. Some believe the snake was used as a symbol of wisdom, however it may well have been a reference to medicine and doctors. To this day, the Caduceus, a metal rod (sometimes with two wings) entwined with two snakes, is a common heraldic symbol used by hospitals and surgeries as a trade mark. In continental European heraldry, the serpent is more often depicted like a dragon or other heraldic monster. It is not uncommon to find a snake shown with wings and a crown. In Italian heraldry, serpents are shown &.......View More
BUYING A COAT OF ARMS GIFT?........HERE ARE SOME TIPS
Posted On : 03/26/2013
A coat of arms (Family crest) gift is one of the best ways to celebrate someone’s family name, and all the history attached to that name. The arms may date back over eight hundred years and some of them contain enough information in the design of the shield to formulate the story of the grant of arms. Many potential customers, however, seem believe that as long as they can see the coat of arms they wish to have in an image online, then everything is hunky dory. In some cases, they often find a decent result, in some cases not so much. Check it out yourself. The part of the coat of arm.......View More
LIST OF HERALDIC SYMBOLS AND THEIR MEANINGS- L Through Z
Posted On : 03/20/2013
LAMB- Normally painted with the staff and flag is the emblem of Christianity. LANCE- Denotes one in active service as a knight. LARK- An ancient symbol of eloquence. LAUREL- Sometimes shown in a wreath, is the emblem of triumph. LEGS IN ARMOR- The emblem of The Isle Of Man, seen also on the arms of MacLeod. LEOPARD- Emblematic of a valiant warrior. LILY- The regular kind, is the symbol of purity. LION- Regarded as the noblest of all the wild beasts, making it the symbol of strength and valor. The best known heraldic symbol. LIZARD- An emblem of vigilance. L.......View More
LIST OF HERALDIC SYMBOLS AND THEIR MEANINGS. A Through K
Posted On : 03/20/2013
ABYSS- The honor point of the shield, the very center. ACORN-The symbol of plenty, also used in coats of arms as a pun on the name (Canting arms) ANCHOR- The emblem of hope, usually painted with a rope attached. ANNULET- A ring, the symbol of strength. The Roman symbol of Liberty. ANT- Also known as the Emmet, patience and forethought. ANTELOPE- The symbol of peace and harmony, the heraldic antelope is unlike it’s cousin in the zoo or safari park. The body of a stag with the tail of the Unicorn and fearsome horns. APE and MONKEY- Used to signify saga.......View More
BATTLE SHIELDS AND COAT OF ARMS – THE STORY WITHIN
Posted On : 03/20/2013
The charges ( animals, divisions, etc.) depicted on a coat of arms (family crest) can sometimes be the result of great family legends and stories. One of the best comes from the Scottish family name Cunningham. The story dates back to Duncan ( 1001-1040) the first King of Scotland, who was murdered by Macbeth. Duncan’s son Malcolm Canmore, being chased by Macbeth’s forces, hid in the barn of Malcolm Friskin. Friskin hid Canmore by heaping layers of straw over him with a pitchfork to hide him. When the Macbeth army arrived at Friskin’s farm he denied having seen Canmore at all.......View More