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Interpreting The Symbols On Coats Of Arms

By: Jazmin Begbie

For centuries families and nations have used coats of arms as ways to describe themselves and what they stand for. Today, many people like to look back on their coats of arms and use them as part of family history or to learn more about their heritage. When interpreting the symbols of heraldry, colors, animals, and symbols all have mean. Here are some of the more common elements in many coats of arms.

Colors. There are a few colors used in coats of arms as background or as a part of a motif of two or more colors. Gold indicates generosity and silver or white symbolizes peace and sincerity. Blue is the color of truth and loyalty and green indicates hope and joy. There are warrior colors as well. Red indicates military strength (warrior) and maroon means patient yet victorious in battle. Purple is the color of royal majesty and justice, and orange represents worthy 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.

Besides animals, nature finds its way in coats of arms in the form of plants. All of these plants represent one or the other virtue. Shamrock stands for perpetuity and harvest of hope is depicted by sheaf of wheat. Rose indicates hope, joy, grace and beauty and is the most commonly used plant. Laurel leaves are used to signify victory and lily for purity.

Oak tree in general represents great age, strength, continuous growth and fertility. However, its variations in form of leaves and nuts indicate different things. Acorn is used to depict strength and antiquity.

Besides colors, plants and animals, coats of arms also include weapons and armor. Hands or arms clad in arm indicate leadership. The helmet represents strength, invincibility and prudence. The axe signifies military duty and the arrow is a symbol of preparedness for war. A hammer stands for honor and the dagger indicates justice. The shackle bolt is a symbol of victory, the spear and the pike both represent an honorable warrior or valiant knight.

Article Source: http://www.article-voip.com

About the author: Jazmin Begbie writes exclusively for Any Coats, visit there today for the latest Coats advice, and 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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