Directions for a Coat of Arms
Represent yourself through pictures. What is important in your life? If a shield stood for your life, what would be on it? Family, friends, sports, clubs, music, hobbies, etc. may be included.
During the Elizabethan Age, when Shakespeare lived and wrote his plays, a family could be identified by its coat of arms. One reason for the use of coats of arms was because few people could read; therefore symbols conveyed a family’s identity the way that words would today. Another reason was so that, in battle, soldiers could quickly tell if another man was a friend or foe.
You will create your own coat of arms. You may choose to represent your family, including its background, or just yourself as an individual with your specific interests, goals, etc.
Choose a shape for your coat of arms.
Decide if and how you will divide your coat of arms.
Choose colors—different colors represent different things—see the list.
ü List your colors and what they mean: _ _ _ _ _
Choose symbols—see the list—choose things that reflect you/your family.
ü List your symbols and what they mean: _ _ _ _ _
Things to consider including on your coat of arms:
Background of your family—ethnicity, religion, profession
Ex: Mrs. Alpert would include Irish, English German , and Catholic religion… Education would be in her coat of since she is a teacher.
Your interests—sports, hobbies, etc.
Ex: Mrs. Alpert would use track, cross country, baseball, music, history and shopping on this part of her shield
Your goals—education, career, family, etc.
People/pets/places/possessions that are important to you
Ex: Mrs. Alpert would put husband, four children, dogs, Juno and Tater, collection of vintage hats and purses and The Delta Phi Epsilon Sorority.
Who you are/how you want others to see you…
Colors and MetalsOr, yellow or gold - GenerosityArgent, white or silver - Peace and sinceritySable or black - Constancy, sometimes griefAzure or blue - Loyalty and truthGules or red - Military fortitude and magnanimityVert or green - Hope, joy and sometimes loyalty in lovePurpure, purple - Royal majesty, sovereignty and justiceTenne or tawney (tan) - Worthy ambitionMurray or sanguine (maroon) - Not hasty in battle, and yet a victorCommon ChargesLion - Deathless courageTiger - Great fierceness and valor when enraged to combat; one whose resentment will be dangerous if provokedBear - Ferocity in the protection of kindredWolf - 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 thwartRhinoceros - Great ferocity when provokedElephant - Courage and strength.Leopard - Valiant and hardy warrior.Panther - As a lion may be said to signify a brave man, so may a panther a beautifulwoman, which, though fierce, is very tender and loving to her young, and will defend itwith the hazard of her lifeHorse - Readiness for all employments for king and country Bull or Ox - Valor and magnanimityBoar - 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 warriorGoat - Emblem of that martial man who wins a victory by the employment rather of policy than valorLamb - Gentleness and patience under sufferingRam - AuthorityHares and Rabbits - One who enjoys a peaceable and retired lifeSquirrel - Sylvan (in the forest) retirement being the delight of its bearerHedgehog - Provident providerBeaver - Industry and perseveranceFox - One who will use all that he may posses of sagacity, wit or wisdom in his owndefenseTalbot, Mastiff and Greyhound - Courage, vigilancy and loyal fidelityCat or Cat-A-Mountain - Liberty, vigilance, forecast and courageCamel - Docility, patience and indefatigable perseverance Bee - Well-governed industryAnt - Symbolizes a man of great labor, wisdom and providenceSpider - Wisdom, labor and providence in all affairsGrasshopper - Wisdom and nobilityHouse Snail - Deliberation and perseveranceDouble Eagle and Eagle - Signifies a man of action, ever more occupied in high andweighty affairs, and one of lofty spirit, ingenious, speedy in apprehension and judicious in matters of ambiguityWings - Celebrity, sometimes protection or covertureFeathers (usually ostrich) - Willing obedience and serenityFalcon or Hawk - One eager in the pursuit of an object much desiredHawks or Falcons Bells - One who feared not to signal his approach in either peace orwarOwl - One who is vigilant and of acute witPeacock - Beauty and pride of carriagePelican - Devoted and self-sacrificing charityStork - Filial duty, emblem of a grateful manSwan - A lover of poetry and harmonyGoose and Duck - A man of many resourcesSwallow - One who is prompt and ready in the dispatch of his businessDove - Loving constancy and peaceRaven - One who, having derived little from his ancestors, has through Providencebecome the architect of his own fortunes or one of an enduring constancy of natureCrow - Signifies a settled habitation and a quiet life Dolphin - Charity and a kind affection towards children Tortoise - Invulnerability to attackUnicorn - Extreme courageGriffin - Sets forth the property of a valorous soldier whose magnanimity is such that hewill dare all dangers, and even death itself, rather than become captiveDragon - A most valiant defender of treasureSphinx - Omniscience and secrecyPegasus - Exceeding activity and energy of mind whereby one may mount to honourMermaid - EloquenceCentuar - 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 HarmonyHorns and Antlers - Strength and FortitudeEscallop Shell - One who has made long journeys or voyages to far countries, who hadborne considerable naval command or who had gained great victories Other Shells - Protection of ProvidenceHeart - Charity, sincerityFlaming Heart - Ardent affectionHand - Faith, sincerity and justiceArm - A laborious and industrious personLeg - Strength, stability and expeditionShoe - Same as LegFoot - Same as legHuman Head - HonorSkulls - MortalityCrossed Thigh-bones - MortalityEye - Providence in GovernmentTrident - Maritime dominionCrown - Royal or seigniorial authorityCelestial Crown - Heavenly rewardAnnulet or Finger Ring - FidelityPen - Emblematic of the liberal art of writing and of learned employmentsInkhorn - Same as penHarp - ContemplationAnchor - Succor in extremity and the Christian symbol of hopeShip, Lumphiad or Galley - All such symbols would point to some notable expedition by sea, by which, perhaps, the first bearers had become famousCubes, squares or dice - Constancy, wisdom, verity probity, and equityAxe -- Execution of military dutyPurse - A frank and liberal steward of the blessings that God has bestowedTower or Castle - Grandeur and solidity. Sometimes granted to one who has held one forhis king, or who has captured one by force or stratagemBridge - Signifies a governor or magistratePillar or Column - Fortitude and constancySnake - WisdomScaling Ladder - One who was fearless in attackingCrosses - Symbolic of some Christian experience or sentimentCushions - Marks of authorityAngels, Cherubs and Seraphs - Dignity, glory and honorSun - Glory and splendorCrescent - Signifies one who has been enlightened and honored by the gracious aspect ofhis sovereignMoon - Serene power over mundane actionsFire - ZealLightning - The effecting of some weighty business with great clarity and forceRocks - Safety, refuge and protectionTrumpet - Ready for the frayCannon, Mortars, Cannon Balls and Grenades - Well bestowed on those who have dared their terrors in sieges and battlesSword - Indicates the bearer to a just and generous pursuit of honor and virtue in warlikedeedsArrows and Arrowheads - Martial readinessSpear or Lance - Knightly service and devotion to honorSpear Heads or Pheons - Dexterity and nimbleness of wit to penetrate and understandmatters of highest consequenceShield - A defenderSaddles, Stirrups and Spurs - Preparedness for active serviceHorse Shoe - Good luckTrunk of a Tree - An object of veneration (respect)Chains - A reward for acceptable or weighty serviceWheel - Fortune.
Represent yourself through pictures. What is important in your life? If a shield stood for your life, what would be on it? Family, friends, sports, clubs, music, hobbies, etc. may be included.
During the Elizabethan Age, when Shakespeare lived and wrote his plays, a family could be identified by its coat of arms. One reason for the use of coats of arms was because few people could read; therefore symbols conveyed a family’s identity the way that words would today. Another reason was so that, in battle, soldiers could quickly tell if another man was a friend or foe.
You will create your own coat of arms. You may choose to represent your family, including its background, or just yourself as an individual with your specific interests, goals, etc.
- Choose a shape for your coat of arms.
- Decide if and how you will divide your coat of arms.
- Choose colors—different colors represent different things—see the list.
ü List your colors and what they mean: _ _ _ _ _- Choose symbols—see the list—choose things that reflect you/your family.
ü List your symbols and what they mean: _ _ _ _ _- Your goals—education, career, family, etc.
- People/pets/places/possessions that are important to you
- Ex: Mrs. Alpert would put husband, four children, dogs, Juno and Tater, collection of vintage hats and purses and The Delta Phi Epsilon Sorority.
- Who you are/how you want others to see you…
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 (tan) - Worthy ambition Murray or sanguine (maroon) - Not hasty in battle, and yet a victor Common Charges Lion - Deathless courage Tiger - Great fierceness and valor when enraged to combat; one whose resentment will be dangerous if provoked 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 provoked Elephant - Courage and strength. Leopard - Valiant and hardy warrior. Panther - As a lion may be said to signify a brave man, so may a panther a beautifulwoman, which, though fierce, is very tender and loving to her young, and will defend itwith 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 (in the forest) 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 owndefense 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 andweighty affairs, and one of lofty spirit, ingenious, speedy in apprehension and judicious in matters of ambiguity Wings - Celebrity, sometimes protection or coverture Feathers (usually ostrich) - Willing obedience and serenity Falcon or Hawk - One eager in the pursuit of an object much desired Hawks or Falcons Bells - One who feared not to signal his approach in either peace orwar 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 Swallow - One who is prompt and ready in the dispatch of his business Dove - Loving constancy and peace Raven - One who, having derived little from his ancestors, has through Providencebecome 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 hewill dare all dangers, and even death itself, rather than become captive Dragon - A most valiant defender of treasure Sphinx - Omniscience and secrecy Pegasus - Exceeding activity and energy of mind whereby one may mount to honour 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 hadborne 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 Arm - A laborious and industrious person Leg - Strength, stability and expedition Shoe - Same as Leg Foot - Same as leg Human Head - Honor Skulls - Mortality Crossed Thigh-bones - Mortality Eye - Providence in Government Trident - Maritime dominion Crown - Royal or seigniorial authority Celestial Crown - Heavenly reward Annulet or Finger Ring - Fidelity Pen - Emblematic of the liberal art of writing and of learned employments Inkhorn - Same as pen Harp - Contemplation 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 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 forhis 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 Cushions - Marks of authority Angels, Cherubs and Seraphs - Dignity, glory and honor Sun - Glory and splendor Crescent - Signifies one who has been enlightened and honored by the gracious aspect ofhis 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 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 warlikedeeds 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 understandmatters 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 (respect) Chains - A reward for acceptable or weighty service Wheel - Fortune.