Coat of Arm Project

• A coat of arms is a distinctive heraldic design on a tunic used to cover and protect armor, but the term is more broadly applied to mean a full heraldic (heraldry: the profession, study, or art of creating, granting, and blazoning arms and ruling on questions of rank or protocol) achievement which consists of a shield and certain accessories. In either sense, the design is a symbol unique to a person, family, corporation, or state. Such displays are also commonly called armorial bearings, armorial devices, heraldic devices, or arms.

Definition

History• Historically, armorial bearings were first used by

feudal lords and knights in the mid-12th century on battlefields as a way to identify allied from enemy soldiers. Initially, those closest to the lords and knights adopted arms. Other ecclesiastical dignities adopted coats of arms, usually to be used as seals and other such insignia, and then towns and cities to likewise seal and authenticate documents. The widespread assumption of arms led some states to regulate heraldry within their borders. However, in most of continental Europe, citizens freely adopted armorial bearings.

Heraldic Colors: Yellow or Gold - GenerosityWhite or Silver - Peace & SincerityBlack - Constancy (& sometimes Grief)Blue - Loyalty & TruthfulnessRed - Military Fortitude & MagnanimityGreen - Hope, Joy & sometimes LoyaltyPurple - Royal Majesty, Sovereignty & Justice

Heraldic Symbols:Axe - DutifulBridge - (signifies a governor or magistrate)Crescent - EnlightenmentCrosses - Christian sentimentsCrown - AuthorityFire - ZealFlaming Heart - PassionFleur-de-lys (stylized Iris flower) - Purity (associated with France)Hand - Faith, Sincerity & JusticeHeart - SincerityHorns & Antlers - FortitudeLightning - DecisivenessMoon - SerenityOyster Shell - TravelerRing - FidelityScepter - JusticeStar - NobilitySun - GlorySword - WarlikeTower or Castle - Fortitude & Protectiveness

Heraldic Animals:Bear - ProtectivenessBee - IndustriousnessCamel - PerseveranceDog - LoyaltyDouble Eagle & Eagle - Leadership & DecisivenessDragon - Defender of TreasureFalcon or Hawk - EagernessFox - ClevernessGriffin (part eagle, part lion) - BraveryHorse - Readiness to ServeLion - CouragePelican - Generosity & DevotionRaven - ConstancySnake - AmbitionStag, Elk or Deer - Peace & HarmonyTiger - Fierceness & ValorUnicorn - Extreme courageWolf - Constant Vigilance

Cadency• Cadency is any systematic way of distinguishing

similar coats of arms belonging to members of the same family. Cadency is necessary in heraldic systems in which a given design may be owned by only one person (or, in some cases, one man) at once. Because heraldic designs may be inherited, the arms of members of a family will usually be similar to the arms used by its oldest surviving member (called the "plain coat"). They are formed by adding marks called brisures, similar to charges but smaller. Brisures are generally exempt from the rule of tincture.

                   

 

Coat of Arms of SpainThe coat of arms appears in the flag of Spain.The Spanish coat of arms symbolizes the country, the old kingdoms of Spain, the Royal Crown, theImperial Crown, theConstitutional monarchy, the Spanish national motto:Plus Ultra, and the Pillars of Hercules with the Spanish geographic situation.

Coat of arms of ColombiaThe coat of arms contains a shield with numeroussymbols. Perched on top of the shield is an Andean Condor holding an olive crown and the condor Symbolizing freedom. The National motto, Libertad y Orden, is on a scroll in between the bird and the shield.

Gallery of Coat of Arms

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gallery_of_country_coats_of_arms