Symbolisms of Heraldry
The following
coat of arms symbols have been excerpted from W. Cecil Wade’s “The Symbolisms of Heraldry or A Treatise on the Meanings and Derivations of Armorial Bearings”. Published in London in 1898.
Colors and Metals
Or, yellow or gold – Generosity.
Argent, white or silver – Peace and sincerity.
Sable or black – Constancy, sometimes grief.
Azure or blue – Loyalty and truth.
Gules or red – Military fortitude and magnanimity.
Vert or green – Hope, joy and sometimes loyalty in love.
Purpure, purple – Royal majesty, sovereignty and justice.
Tenne or tawney – Worthy ambition.
Murray or sanguine – Not hasty in battle, and yet a victor.
Heraldic Lines
Nebulee or Nebuly – The sea or water.
Engrailed and Invected – Earth or land.
Indented – Fire.
Dancette – Water.
Ragulee or Raguly – Difficulties which have been encountered.
Embattled – Fire or the walls of a fortress or town.
Ordinaries
Chief – Dominion and authority.
Cross – Chevron – Protection.
Fess – Military belt or girdle of honor.
Bar – For “one who sets the bar of conscience, religion and honor against angry passions.
Pale – Military strength and fortitude.
Palet – Same as Pale.
Pile – Same as Pale.
Canton – Bearing of honor. When borne charged, it often contains some special symbols granted by the sovereign in reward for the performance of eminent service.
Quarter – Bearing of honor. Similar to the Canton.
Bend – Defense or protection.
Battune Sinister – Marks a royal descent that is barred by illegitimacy from succession to the throne.
Orle or Tressure – Preservation or protection.
Flasques – Given by a king for virtue and learning, and especially for service in embassage.
Voiders – Given to gentlewomen who have deserved highly.
Bordure or Border – Frequently adopted as a “difference” between relatives bearing the same arms.
Gyron – Unity.
Common Charges
Lion – Deathless courage.
Tiger – Great fierceness and valor when enraged to combat; one whose resentment will be dangerous if aroused.
Bear – Ferocity in the protection of kindred.
Wolf – Denotes valiant captains that do in the end gain their attempts after long sieges and hard enterprises. One whom it is dangerous to assail or thwart.
Rhinoceros – Great ferocity when aroused.
Elephant – Courage and strength.
Heraldic Tiger – Same as Tiger.
Leopard – Valiant and hardy warrior.
Panther – As a lion may be said to signify a brave man, so may a panther a beautiful woman, which, though fierce, is very tender and loving to her young, and will defend it with the hazard of her life.
Horse – Readiness for all employments for king and country.
Bull or Ox – Valor and magnanimity.
Boar – A fierce combatant when at bay, and ceases fighting only with its life, and therefore may be properly applied as the armorial bearing of a warrior.
Goat – Emblem of that martial man who wins a victory by the employment rather of policy than valor.
Lamb – Gentleness and patience under suffering.
Ram – Authority.
Hares and Rabbits – One who enjoys a peaceable and retired life.
Squirrel – Sylvan retirement being the delight of its bearer.
Hedgehog – Provident provider.
Beaver – Industry and perseverance.
Fox – One who will use all that he may posses of sagacity, wit or wisdom in his own defense.
Talbot, Mastiff and Greyhound – Courage, vigilancy and loyal fidelity.
Cat or Cat-A-Mountain – Liberty, vigilance, forecast and courage.
Camel – Docility, patience and indefatigable perseverance.
Bee – Well-governed industry.
Ant – Symbolizes a man of great labor, wisdom and providence.
Spider – Wisdom, labor and providence in all affairs.
Grasshopper – Wisdom and nobility.
House Snail – Deliberation and perseverance.
Double Eagle and Eagle – Signifies a man of action, ever more occupied in high and weighty affairs, and one of lofty spirit, ingenious, speedy in apprehension and judicious in matters of ambiguity.
Alerion – Signifies one who having been maimed and lamed in war, was thus prevented from fully asserting his power.
Wings – Celebrity, sometimes protection or coverture.
Feathers (usually ostrich) – Willing obedience and serenity.
Falcon or Hawk – One eager or hot in the pursuit of an object much desired.
Hawks or Falcons Bells – One who feared not to signal his approach in either peace or war.
Owl – One who is vigilant and of acute wit.
Peacock – Beauty and pride of carriage.
Pelican – Devoted and self-sacrificing charity.
Stork – Filial duty, emblem of a grateful man.
Swan – A lover of poetry and harmony.
Goose and Duck – A man of many resources.
Gannet – To subsist by the wings of his virtue and merit, having little land to rest upon.
Swallow – One who is prompt and ready in the dispatch of his business.
Cock – Courage, always ready for battle, ready to fight to the death.
Dove – Loving constancy and peace.
Raven – One who, having derived little from his ancestors, has through Providence become the architect of his own fortunes or one of an enduring constancy of nature.
Crow – Signifies a settled habitation and a quiet life.
Dolphin – Charity and a kind affection towards children.
Tortoise – Invulnerability to attack.
Unicorn – Extreme courage.
Griffin – Sets forth the property of a valorous soldier whose magnanimity is such that he will dare all dangers, and even death itself, rather than become captive.
Dragon – A most valiant defender of treasure.
Cockatrice – Terror to all beholders.
Sphinx – Omniscience and secrecy.
Pegasus – Exceeding activity and energy of mind whereby one may mount to honour.
Harpy – Ferocity under provocation.
Mermaid – Eloquence.
Centuar – For those who have been eminent in the field.
Hydra – The conquest of a very powerful enemy.
Phoenix – Resurrection.
Stag, Hart, Buck and Deer – Policy, Peace and Harmony.
Horns and Antlers – Strength and Fortitude.
Escallop Shell – One who has made long journeys or voyages to far countries, who had borne considerable naval command or who had gained great victories.
Other Shells – Protection of Providence.
Heart – Charity, sincerity.
Flaming Heart – Ardent affection.
Hand – Faith, sincerity and justice.
Red Hand – Usual mark for a baronet if borne on a small escutcheon.
Arm – A laborious and industrious person.
Gauntlet – Signify a man armed for the performance of martial enterprise.
Leg – Strength, stability and expedition.
Shoe – Same as Leg.
Foot – Same as leg.
Human Head – Honor.
Blackamoor Head – Deeds of prowess in the Crusades.
Skulls – Mortality.
Crossed Thigh-bones – Mortality.
Eye – Providence in Government.
Millstones – The mutual converse of human society.
Sceptre – Justice.
Trident – Maritime dominion.
Crown – Royal or seigniorial authority.
Celestial Crown – Heavenly reward.
Pastoral Crosier – The emblem of a shepherd’s watchfulness over his flock, and denotes episcopal jurisdiction and authority.
Annulet or Finger Ring – Fidelity.
Lozenge – Honesty and constancy, also held to be a token of noble birth.
Billets – Their first bearer was a man who obtained credence, knowledge and faith in his words and deeds, and who was secret in his affairs.
Pen – Emblematic of the liberal art of writing and of learned employments.
Inkhorn – Same as pen.
Harp – Contemplation.
Lyre – Same as harp.
Scythe – Hope of a fruitful harvest of things hoped for.
Sickle – Same as Scythe.
Anchor – Succor in extremity and the Christian symbol of hope.
Ship, Lumphiad or Galley – All such symbols would point to some notable expedition by sea, by which, perhaps, the first bearers had become famous.
Cubes, squares or dice – Constancy, wisdom, verity probity, and equity.
Lozenge – Same as Cubes.
Axe — Execution of military duty.
Purse – A frank and liberal steward of the blessings that God has bestowed .
Tower or Castle – Grandeur and solidity. Sometimes granted to one who has held one for his king, or who has captured one by force or stratagem.
Bridge – Signifies a governor or magistrate.
Pillar or Column – Fortitude and constancy.
Snake – Wisdom.
Scaling Ladder – One who was fearless in attacking.
Crosses – Symbolic of some Christian experience or sentiment.
Trestles and stools – Hospitality.
Cushions – Marks of authority.
Angels, Cherubs and Seraphs – Dignity, glory and honor.
Estoiles – Emblems of God’s goodness or of some eminence in the first bearer above the ruder sort of men.
Mullet – Denotes some Divine quality bestowed from above.
Gold Spur – Dignity of knighthood.
Silver Spur – An esquire.
Sun – Glory and splendor.
Crescent – Signifies one who has been enlightened and honored by the gracious aspect of his sovereign.
Moon – Serene power over mundane actions.
Fire – Zeal.
Lightning – The effecting of some weighty business with great clarity and force.
Rocks – Safety, refuge and protection.
Portcullis – Effectual protection in emergency.
Hunting Horn – One who is fond of high pursuits.
Trumpet – Ready for the fray.
Cannon, Mortars, Cannon Balls and Grenades – Well bestowed on those who have dared their terrors in sieges and battles.
Sword – Indicates the bearer to a just and generous pursuit of honor and virtue in warlike deeds.
Arrows and Arrowheads – Martial readiness.
Spear or Lance – Knightly service and devotion to honor.
Spear Heads or Pheons – Dexterity and nimbleness of wit to penetrate and understand matters of highest consequence.
Shield – A defender.
Saddles, Stirrups and Spurs – Preparedness for active service.
Horse Shoe – Good luck.
Trunk of a Tree – An object of veneration.
Fusil – Travel and labour.
Shacklebolt – Victory in war.
Water Bougets – Conferred on those who had brought water to an army or besieged place.
Catharine Wheel – Emblem of one who is prepared to undergo great trials for the Christian faith.
Escarbuncle – Supremacy.
Buckles – Victorious fidelity in authority.
Clarion or Rest – Same as Trumpet.
Beacons or Cressets – One who is watchful for the commonwealth or who gave the signal in time of danger.
Chains – A reward for acceptable or weighty service.
Fusil of Yarn – Negotiation.
Fret – Persuasion
Gold Roundles – One who has been found worthy of trust and treasure.
White Roundles – Generosity.
Wheel – Fortune.
Cornucopia – Bounty of Nature’s gifts.
Chaplets and Wreaths – Granted for special service
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