Symbolism of Colors for your Coat of Arms:
Silver (Argent)= Purity
Gold (Or)= Generosity
Red (Gules)= Warrior; Military Strength
Blue (Azure)= Symbol of the Soul symbolizing Truth & Loyalty
Green (Vert)= Hope, Joy & Loyalty in Love
Black (Sable)= Constancy (reliability)
Purple (Purpure)= Royalty
Orange (Tawyny or Tenne)= Worthy Ambition
Maroon (Sanguine or Murray)= Patience in battle
General Coat of Arms Symbolism Guide:
Acacia Branch/Leaves = Eternal & Affectionate Remembrance
Acorn = Antiquity & Strength
Agriculture Tools = Labouring in the Earth
Alerion (Eagle without claws/beak) = One injured in battle
Alphyn = Ferocity
Anchor = Hope
Angel = Dignity, Glory & Honour or a Missionary
Annulet (Ring) = Truth & Fidelity
Ant = Great Labour & Wisdom
Antelope (Mythical) = Beware to all beholders (Traditional) = Action, Agility & Sacrifice; A worthy guardian that can be fierce when challenged
Antlers = Strength & Fortitude
Anvil = Honour & Strength, Emblem of the smith's trade
Apple = Felicity & Peace; Temptation
Arm = Industrious Person
Arm in Armour = Leadership Qualities
Arrow = Readiness for
Auk = Supernatural Power
Axe = Execution of Military Duty
Badger = Tenacity & Protection
Bagwyn = Action, Decisiveness & Guardianship
Banners = A Reward for Valiant Service
Bat = Facing of One's Fears, Darkness & Chaos
Baton = Token of Authority
Bay Leaves = Poet or Victor's Laurels
Beacon = One who is Watchful, Signaler of Danger
Bear = Strength, Cunning, Ferocious in Protection of Kin
Beaver = Industry & Perseverance
Bee = Efficient Industry
Berries = Felicity & Peace
Bezant/Besant (Gold Circle) = Worthy of Trust & Treasure
Billet = denotes a man who obtained credence, knowledge and faith in his words and deeds and was secret in his affairs
Bird's Claw = The preyer upon others has been preyed upon
Bittern = Symbol of Stratagem; Bad Luck
Black Bird = Bad Omen, but 2 Black Birds are a good omen
Bloodhound = Representative of the Hunt
Boar = Bravery, Fights to the Death
Boar's Head = Hospitality
Boat = Notable expeditions by sea, by which the bearers became famous. Symbolizes commerce, travel, initiation and warfare
Bomb or Mortar = One who has used this weapon in battle
Bones = Mortality
Book (Open) = Manifestation or (if Closed) = Counsel
Bow = Ready for
Bow & Arrow = War, Power & Ability
Branch or Leaves = Hope & Joy
Brick = One who obtained Credence or Knowledge in his field
Bridge = Governor or Magistrate
Broom Plant = Humility
Buck = Peace & Harmony, Will not fight unless Provoked
Buckle = Victorious Fidelity in Authority
Bull or
Bull's Horns = Strength & Fortitude
Bustard = Symbolic of the Hunt; Nobility & Grace
Butterfly = Psyche or Soul
Buzzard = Rapacious person, intimidating and persistent
Calopus = Symbol of ferociousness, unyielding in his cunning to achieve advantage over his enemies
Camel = Patience & Perseverance
Candle or Lamp = Light, Life & Spirituality
Cannet or Duck without beak or leags = Subsists by virtue & merit
Cannon/Cannon Balls = One who
used this weapon in
Carnation = Admiration, hope & joy
Carpenter's Square = The laws of right and equity
Castle = Granted to one who has faithfully held a castle protected in times of war and symbolizes protection, Castle GATE = Protection in Emergency
Cat =
Catherine Wheel = Enduring great trials for Faith/Country
Centaur = Eminence in the
field of
Chains = Reward for Great Service
Chalice = Faith
Chapeau = Cap of dignity, a badge of high dignity borne by kings
Chaplet = A Mark of Honour, crown of joy and admiration
Cherub = Dignity, Glory & Honour or a Missionary
Chess Rook = One who shielded a leader in war or enterprise; Protection
Chimera = Bravery, Strength and Cunning to achieve victory
Chough (Cornish) = Watchful for friends and kindred; Great Military Strategist
Church = Faith
Cinquefoil = Hope and Joy - Represented various flowers according to color
Clarion = Ready for War
Claw (Bird) = Has been preyed upon
Claw (Bear or Lion) = The bearer of arms only needed to show a glimpse of his strength to the enemy, for this enemy to surmise the wholeness of his ferocity
Clouds = Mystery, Obscured Truth
Club = Guardianship
Cock = Courage, Perseverance; Hero or Able in Politics
Cockatrice = Terror to All Beholders
Collared (Gorged) = Symbolic of High Dignity
Columbine = "The Dove Plant", Courage and Love
Column = Fortitude & Constancy
Comet = Harbinger of invasion & war or remembrance of a great battle
Compass & Square = Symbols of Freemasonry for one who squares their actions by the square of virtue
Cone (Pine) = Emblem of Life
Coney (Old world Rabbit) = Wisdom; One who should never be underestimated
Coot (bird) = One who uses strategy over confrontation to achieve success
Cornucopia = Bounty of Nature's Gifts
Cormorant = Nobility, Fisherman's symbol of a Bountiful Catch
Cow = Symbol of the harvest
Crab=Force & Energy expressed through emotion and imagination
Crane or Stork = Close Parental Bond
Crescent = One enlightened and honored by the Sovereign; mark of 2nd son
Cresset = One who is Watchful, Signals Danger
Crocodile = Fury, Power & Protection
Cross = Faith; Service in the Crusades
Cross (Baptismal) = Greek cross symbolic of rebirth or regeneration
Cross (Cavalry) = Sign of life to come
Cross (Celtic) = Unity of Heaven and Earth
Cross (Crosslet) = Signifies the fourfold mystery of the Cross
Cross (Embattled) = Symbol of the "Church Militant"
Cross (Fitchee) Cross/Sword - Unshakeable Faith
Cross (Fleurette) = Reminder of the Trinity & Resurrection
Cross (Flory) = One who has Conquered
Cross (Formee) = Military Honour
Cross (
Cross (
Cross (
Cross (Pattee) = Combination of the Christian cross and Wotan's
Cross (Patriarchal) = Ecclesiastical cross, bar represents the inscription
Cross (Pommee) = Represents the Assyrian god Asshur
Cross (Potent) = Symbol of
Cross (Raguly) = Denotes difficulties encountered
Cross (
Cross (Tau) = From Greek's letter "T", the Cross of prophecy
Crossbow = Emblem of war and great power
Crow = Strategist in
Crown = Monarchy & Power denoting dignity and accomplishment
Crown of Thorns = Adversity
Cuckoo (King of birds) = Competitive soul; Lover of music
Cup = Office of the King's
Cushions = Authority
Dagger or Dart = Justice & Military Honour
Deer = Peace/Harmony, 1 who will not fight unless Provoked
Diamond (Fusil) = Travel & Labour
Dice = Equity
Dog = Courage, Vigilance and Loyalty
Dolphin = Swiftness, Diligence, Salvation, Charity & Love
Donkey = Patience & Humility
Dove = Loving Peace; The Holy Spirit
Dove with Olive Branch = Good Tidings
Dragon = Valour & Protection
Drops = One who has endured torrents of liquids in battle - (Black) = Boiling tar, (Blue) = Tears shed in a great battle over lost friend or family, (Green) = Oil for olive oil denoting peace & concord, (Red)= Bloody conflict, (White) = Water or rain in battle, (Yellow) = Gold for a generous deed
Drum = Ready for War
Duck = Person of many resources
Eagle = Nobility, person of action; symbol of power & strength
Eagle (Double Headed) = Conjoining of two forces
Eagle without claws/beak (Alerion) = One injured in battle
Eel = Versatility, wisdom, creativity & defense
Elephant (Trunks too) = Strength, Wit, Longevity, Happiness, Royalty, Luck
Elm Tree = Boldness & Fidelity; Wisdom
Escallop= Traveler to far places/Victorious Naval Commander
Escarbuncle = Supremacy & Dominance
Eye =
Falcon or Hawk = One who won't rest until objective achieved
Falcon's Lure = One fond of the highest pursuits
Fasces = Strength in numbers, Authority & Leadership
Feathers or Plume = Serenity
Fetterlock (manacle) = One who has taken or rescued Prisoners of War
Finger (pointing) = Direction, Correct Route for Travel
Fire = Zealousness
Fish = True, Generous Mind, Virtuous; Unity with Christ
Flag = Bearer was rewarded for valiant service
Fleur-de-lis (White Lily) = Purity, Light - If through lion/leopard = reward to leaders who served under Edward III during his French wars
Flint Stone = Readiness for zealous service
Flowers = Beauty, Hope & Joy
Fork (pitch or hay) = Laboriousness
Fountain = Mariner's symbol or denotation of one's surname
Fox = One who uses wisdom and wit in his/her defense
Foxtail= Good luck amulet endowing the bearer with fox's cunning
Fret (Fishing Net or True-Lover's knot) = Valiant service in war
Frog = Resurrection or Fertility
Fruit = Felicity & Peace
Gannet = One who has to subsist by virtue and merit
Gauntlet = Armed for the performance of martial enterprise
Gavel = Justice, Legal Authority
Globe = Worldliness, Travel
Goat = One who wins through Politics rather than war
Goldfinch = Protection; Wards off evil
Goose = Resourcefulness
Gorged (Collared) = Symbolic of High Dignity
Grapes = Fertility, Youthfulness & Hospitality; Wine Making
Grasshopper = Nobility & Wisdom
Grenade = Indicates the bearer used this weapon in battle
Greyhound = Majesty, Courage & Loyalty; emblem of nobility
Haddock = Good Fortune & Bountifulness
Hammer = Honour, Emblem of the smith's trade
Hand = Pledge of faith, sincerity and justice
Hand (Red) = Mark of a Baronet
Hands Joined = Union & Alliance
Hare = One who enjoys a peaceable & retired life
Harp = Tempered judgment; Bridge between Heaven & Earth
Harpy = Ferocity under provocation
Hawk or Falcon = One who won't rest until objective achieved
Hawks' Lures = Hunter or in Falconry
Hazel Tree = Knowledge, Wisdom & Poetic Inspiration
Head (Human) = Honour - If of a Moor it refers to deeds in prowess during the Crusades
Heart (Human) = Charity & Sincerity
Heart (Human, Flaming) = Intense, burning affection
Hedgehog = Provident Provider
Helmet = Wisdom, Security in defense; Strength, invulnerable
Heron = Contemplation, Vigilance, Divine Wisdom & Inner Quietness
Holly = Symbol of Truth
Hook (fish hook) = One who despite not knowing his enemy's strength will venture forth with confidence
Horns = Strength & Fortitude
Horse = Readiness for all employments for King & Country
Horseshoe = Good Luck, Safeguard against evil spirits
Hourglass = Mortality, Flight of time
Hunting Horn = One who is fond of the chase of high pursuits
Hydra = Conquest of a very powerful enemy
Ibex = Symbol of Healing; Nobility (only nobles could hunt them)
Inescutcheon = Coat of Arms of the bearer's wife's family added to his
Inkhorn/Inkwell = Art of Writing; Educated employment
Ivy Leaves = Strong and Lasting Friendship; Protection and Healing
Jackdaw = Symbol of Luck & Loyal Friendship
Juniper = Protection against thieves; Symbol of a Healer
Keys = Guardianship and Dominion
Kingfisher = Peace & Prosperity
Knight = Prowess in the field of battle; Dependable beyond doubt
Ladder = One who was fearless in attacking; One who stood guard
Lamb = Gentleness and Patience under suffering
Lamb with Staff or Cross = Faith; Innocence, Bravery, Purity
Lamp or Lantern = Light, Life & Spirituality
Lance or Javelin = Emblem of knightly service
Lantern = Watchful, Cautious; Great navigator of tormented seas
Lapwing (Pewit) = One who protects the young
Lark = Hope, Happiness, Good Fortune & Creativity
Leg = Strength, Stability & Expedition
Leopard = Brave and Generous Warriors who performed a bold enterprise
Letters = Represents great battles or tournaments beginning
with that particular letter
Level = Equity and upright action; Virtuous person
Lightning Bolt = Destruction of Ignorance
Lily = Purity, Chastity & Innocence
Lime or
Lion = Dauntless Courage, Majesty, Strength & Justice
Lizard = Safety and Welfare
Lobster = Tenaciousness & Regeneration
Lock = Security & Protection
Lotus Flower = Purity, Virtue & Honesty
Lozenge = Token of a noble birth - When hollowed out = Persuasive
Lynx = Stealth & Cunning; Vigilance & Alertness
Lyre = Contemplation; Tempered Judgment
Magpie = Luck, Good Omen
Maiden = Purity & Redemption; Virtue
Marigold = Devotion & Piety
Martlet = Subsists by Virtue & Merit
Matches = One who has dared
terror in
Merle (Merlette or Blackbird) = Symbol of Temptation
Mermaid = Eloquence
Mew (Sea gull) = Hope
Millstone(Mill-pick, Millrind) = Mutual converse of human society
Mirror = Reflection of the Soul
Mole = Efficiency & Protection
Monkey = Agility, Cunning, Satire & Wisdom
Moon = Serene power over mundane actions
Moor = Honour of taking a Moor's head in the Crusades
Mortar or Mortar Piece = One
who has used this in
Mount/Mountain = Permanence & Enlightenment
Mulberries = Felicity & Peace
Mule = Borne by abbots who have pastoral jurisdiction
Mullet = Divine Quality bestowed from Above
Mushroom = Good Fortune; Immortality
Musical Pipes = Festivity & Rejoicing
Narcissus(Flower with 6 petals)=Vanity, Arrogance, Confidence, self-reliance
Nest = Security & Safety
Nets (Frets) = Valiant service to their sovereign in a great war or battle
Nightingale = Love, Righteousness, Poetry & Education
Nuthatch = Good provider, emblem of family values
Oak garb/sheaf = The harvest of one's hopes has been secured
Oak Tree (Bush/Acorns/Leaves) = Virtue, Strength & Resiliency
Oar = Power, Skill & Knowledge; Granted for successful enterprises at sea
Olive Tree/Branch/Leaves = Peace, Merit & Victory
Osprey = Fisherman's totem; symbol of abundance
Ostrich = Serenity & Meditation
Otter = One who lives life to the fullest
Owl = One who is vigilant, prudent & of acute wit
Ox = Valour & Generosity
Palm Branch = Victory, Justice and Royal Honour
Palm Tree = Righteousness & Resurrection
Panther = Fierce but tender, Defends children with their life
Parchment or Scroll = Scholarly achievement
Parrot (Popinjay) = Wisdom & Good Counsel
Passion Nails = Token of poignant suffering undergone by the bearer of arms
Pavilion = Ready for
Paw (animal)=The bearer only needed to show a glimpse of his strength to the enemy, for the enemy to surmise the wholeness of his ferocity
Peacock = Power, Beauty & Knowledge
Pears = Felicity & Peace
Pegasus = Poetic Genius & Inspiration; Vision & Refinement
Pelican = Self-sacrifice & charitable nature
Pen = Art of writing and educated employment
Pheasant = An alert person of many resources
Pigeon = Virtuousness, Peace & Wisdom; symbol of a Mariner
Pig = Fertility
Pillar = Fortitude
Pincers = Honour, emblem of the smith's trade
Pine = Immortality, Rebirth - JUST Cone= Immortality & Fertility
Pineapple = Elite social standing & Hospitality
Pipes = Festivity & Rejoicing
Plow = Laboring in the Earth
Plume of Feathers = Serenity of the Mind
Pomegranate Fruit = Fertility & Abundance
Poppy (red quatrefoil) = Hope & Joy
Porcupine = Invincibility
Pot = Charity
Puffin (Sea-Parrot) = Consummate provider; Symbol of family
Pyramid = Duration & Longevity
Quail = Courage & Victory
Quatrefoil (Primrose) = Bearer of good tidings
Rabbit = One who enjoys a peaceable & retired life
Rainbow = Hope
Ram = Leadership & Authority
Rat = Industry & Prosperity for its ability for locating & acquiring food
Raven = Protection & Prophecy
Reindeer = Persistence & Resoluteness; Viking's symbol of status
Rhinoceros = Tenacity, Vigor & Unpredictability
Ring (Annulet) = Fidelity
Robin = Domestic peace & tranquility; Mariners bird of hope
Rock = Safety and Protection; Refuge
Rose (Red= Grace & Beauty;
House of
(White = Love & Faith; Badge of Richard Duke of York & son Edward IV)
Rosemary = Fidelity in Love
Roundles:
Black= Cannon Ball
White(plate) = Generosity
Blue= Wounded or Whortleberry
Gold= Treasure
Green or Pomme(Apple) = Peace
Purple or Golpe= Wounded
Red or Torteau= Communion Wafer or Manchet Cake
Ruff = Warrior; Bearer will fight to get what he wants
Sabre = Justice & Honour
Saddle = Prepared for
Salamander = Protection
Salmon = Betoken on one of wisdom & knowledge
Savage or Saracen = Service in the Crusades
Scales = Justice
Sceptre = Emblem of Justice
Scorpion = Wisdom & also Self-Destruction; emblem of resurrection
Scythe or Sickle = Hope of a Fruitful Harvest
Sea Horse = Power of the Water
Seal or Sea Lion = Dauntless Courage at Sea
Seraphim = Dignity, Glory & Honour
Serpent, Snake, Lizard = Wisdom & Cunning
Shacklebolt = Victory; Rescued Prisoners
Shamrock (Trefoil) = Perpetuity
Shark = Persistence & Perseverance
Shield = Defender
Ship =
Ship Dismasted = Disaster at Sea
Skull = Mortality, Fear & Intimidation
Snail = Deliberation and Perseverance
Snake = Wisdom
Spaniel = Symbol of the hunt; Loyalty, Integrity & Trustworthiness
Sparrow = Symbol of Aphrodite; Beauty, Love & Pleasure
Spear = Honorable Warrior,
Valiant Knight, Spear-Heads = Ready for
Sphinx = Omniscience and Secrecy
Spider = Wisdom, Labor & Prudence
Spur = Preparedness for active service; Pressing onward
Square = Constancy
Squirrel = Lover of the Woods
Stag=One who will not fight unless provoked; Peace/Harmony
Stag's Antlers = Strength & Fortitude
Star = Noble Person, Celestial goodness, Star of 5 points (Mullet) = Divine quality from above
Steel = Readiness for zealous service
Stirrup = Preparedness for active service
Stool = Hospitality
Stork = Filial duty; close parental bond, IF holding a rock then it means Vigilance
Strawberries (Frasier-Fraises) = Symbol of a Wanderer
Sturgeon = Longevity, Permanence & Stability
Sun = Glory & Splendour, Fountain of life
Swallow = Prompt and ready in doing business; bringer of good news
Swan = Poetic harmony and learning, light, love, grace, sincerity & perfection
Sword = Power, Protection, Authority, Strength & Courage
Table = Hospitality
Tails = Amulet of good fortune; Bearer would have characteristics of the animal
Tent = Readiness for
Thrush = Songbird symbolic of solitude & poetry
Tiger = Fierceness & Valour; Dangerous if Aroused
Tomb-Stone = Inspiration, Bereavement; Mortality
Torch = Life; zealousness; truth & intelligence
Tortoise = Invulnerability to Attack
Tower = Safety & Grandeur
Tree = Life, Tree Trunk/Stump/Branch = New life sprouting from the old
Trefoil = Perpetuity
Trestle = Hospitality
Trident = Maritime dominion
Trumpet = Ready for War
Unicorn = Extreme Courage, Virtue & Strength
Vase or Vessel = Openness & Validity
Vine = Promise & Bounty; Lasting Friendship
Vulture = Purification & Maternity
Water Bouget = One who carried water to an army or besieged place in need
Weasel = Boldness & Resoluteness; Spiritual Warriors
Well = Generation, Purification & the Matrix of Life
Whale = Righteousness, Repentance & Majesty
Wheat Garb or Sheaf = The harvest of one's hopes have been secured
Wheat-Ears = Faithful
Wheel = Fortune; Cycle of life
Wings = Swiftness & Protection
Wolf = Reward from perseverance in long sieges and/or hard industry
Woodbine Leaves = Love that does not injure that which it clings to
Wreath = Triumph
Wren = Freedom
Wyvern = Valour & Protection
Yew = Eternal Life after Death
