How Do You Identify Coats Of Arms?
The practice of creating and assigning a coat of arms is known as heraldry, a type of identification that began before 1400 A.D. The coat of arms began as a symbol that represented an individual, but developed into an identification that was hereditary. The coat of arms is made up of many parts and each part represents a different aspect of the bearer of the symbol. The colors, the materials and the shapes of various elements are all meant to communicate information about the individual or family represented. Examine the shield at the center of the coat of arms. The shield will vary in shape depending upon the period and location of its origins. The colors of the shield denote different characteristics of the bearer. For example, purple denotes justice and sovereignty, while red denotes a warrior or martyr. Most shields have more than one section, each of which may have a different color, pattern and/or decorative element with individual meanings. Look for the helmet, which will appear
