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Interpreting The Symbols on Coats of Arms

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[ Posted On: 2006-11-28 ]

Coats of arms speak of the family history and heritage through the years. Often people and nations like to use coats of arms to portray their values, principles and what they stand for. Coats of arms have certain symbols with meanings and depict the heraldry, colors, animals and various other symbols. They have been here for centuries. A few elements common to most of the coats of arms are discussed here.

Colors: The colors used in coats of arms, whether in background or in motifs, symbolize one or the other virtue. For example, gold stands for generosity, white and silver for peace and sincerity, blue for truth and loyalty and green for hope and joy. Likewise, there are many other colors and their meanings. Then there are colors that are representative of valor and military. For example red is for military strength, maroon for patient victorious battle, purple for royalty and justice and oranges represent high ambition.

Coats of arms quite frequently depict animals in them. Most of the times it is lion, especially in the royal and national crests. A lion standing on hind legs depicts resolute valor. If the lion is heraldic understand that is shows bravery, might and valor.

Eagle is another animal that finds a frequent place in coats of arms. It represents noble nature, strength and bravery, an eagle with outspread wings depicts protection and the one with two heads shows the joining of two forces. The Roman Empire chose eagle as its insignia and in the contemporary times the United States adorns it.

Other animals include boar and the bull for bravery and valor; the cat, which indicates liberty and vigilance; the rooster means perseverance and courage; the dolphin means swiftness, charity, diligence, and love; the dragon is a valiant defender; a fish means a generous and true mind, full of virtue; the ram indicates authority; and the serpent represents wisdom. Even the unicorn is used to indicate extreme courage and virtue.

Plants. There are plants represented in many coats of arms. These, too, have meaning, just as animals and colors do. Some of the more common plants used include the shamrock to represent perpetuity and a sheaf of wheat which indicates the harvest of hopes. The rose is one of the most common plants used. It indicates hope and joy, grace and beauty. Laurel leaves are signs of victory, and the lily (also know as the Fleur-de-lis) indicates purity.

The oak tree is a symbol of antiquity, strength, continuous growth and fertility. The leaves and nuts of the oak tree also indicate different things. The acorn represents strength and antiquity.

Besides the animals, plants and colors that are highly symbolic weapons and armor are also used they speak out more clearly. Hands or arms held in arm indicate leadership. Helmet is symbolic of strength, invulnerability and wisdom. The axe stands for military duty, arrow for battle readiness, hammer for honor and dagger depicts justice while a shakebolt shows victory. The spear and spike aptly describe a valiant warrior.

Article Source: http://www.afroarticles.com/article-dashboard

Jazmin Begbie is the chief writer for, and editor of Any Coats, it's one of the webs most up to date Coats sites, while you're there sign up for the free newsletter. Read many more interesting articles on Coats at: www.anycoats.com/articles

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