The original coats of arms had fairly simple designs.

As there became more and more coats of arms, the

designs became more complicated in order for each one to be unique. All coats of arms have certain
elements, however.
Escutcheon - The escutcheon is the main shape of the coat of arms. It was in the shape
of a shield, but the exact shape could vary (see picture below).
Field - The field was the background color. At first the field was a solid color, but later
patterns began to be used for the field.
Charge - The charge is the main picture in the center of the coat of arms. It was usually
an animal, but could be other things such as a sword or a ship.
Ordinaries - Ordinaries were designs that appeared on the field. They added additional
color and uniqueness to the coat of arms.

Different shapes used for the escutcheon or shield

CHARGES or SYMBOLS OR FIGURES USED TO DECORATE THE SHIELDS

COLORS

ANIMALS

SYMBOLS B-H SYMBOLS I-T

Yellow or Gold Generosity

White or Silver - Peace &
Sincerity
Black - Constancy (&
sometimes Grief)
Blue - Loyalty &
Truthfulness
Red - Military Fortitude &
Magnanimity
Green - Hope, Joy &
sometimes Loyalty
Purple - Royal Majesty,
Sovereignty & Justice

Bear - Protectiveness
Bee - Industriousness
Camel - Perseverance/strength
Dog - Loyalty
Double Eagle & Eagle Leadership & Decisiveness
Dragon - Defender of Treasure
Falcon or Hawk - Eagerness
Fox - Cleverness
Griffin (part eagle, part lion) Bravery
Horse - Readiness to Serve
Lion - Courage
Pelican - Generosity & Devotion
Raven - Constancy
Snake - Ambition
Stag, Elk or Deer - Peace &
Harmony
Swan- Regal
Tiger - Fierceness & Valor
Unicorn - Extreme courage
Wolf - Constant Vigilance

Butterfly: Soul
Bridge - (signifies a
governor or
magistrate)
Crescent Enlightenment
Crosses - Christian
sentiments
Crown - Authority
Dice: Constancy
Feathers: Obedience
and serenity
Fire - Zeal
Flaming Heart Passion
Flowers: Hope and joy
Fountain: Water, a
spring
Hand - Faith, Sincerity
& Justice
Heart - Sincerity, love,
loyalty
Horns & Antlers Fortitude
Helmet: wisdom and
security in defence
Hourglass: Flight of
time; mortality

Ivy: Strong and lasting friendship

Inkhorn: Art of writing and educated
employment
Lightning - Decisiveness
Moon - Serenity
Musical: Pipes Festivity and
rejoicing
Oyster Shell - Traveler
Peacock: Beauty, power, and
knowledge
Pen: Art of writing and educated
employment
Phoenix: Resurrection
Rainbow: Good times after bad
Ring - Fidelity
Rock: Safety and protection; refuge
Rose: Mark of cadency of the
seventh son
Rose Red: Grace and beauty
Rose White: Love and faith
Scepter - Justice
Shield: Defender
Sphere: Geographical or scientific
reference
Star - Nobility
Stool: Hospitality
Sun - Glory
Tower or Castle - Fortitude &
Protectiveness

Furs or Desgins

Ordinaries or Symbolic
Lines

Ermine White with black

spots: Valor, justice, and dignity
Erminois Gold with black
spots: Valor, justice, and dignity
Ermines Black with white
spots: Valor, justice, and dignity
Pean Black with gold spots:
Valor, justice, and dignity
Vair Blue and white bellshaped objects: Great wealth

Nebuly Line: Clouds or air

Wavy Line: Sea or water
Engrailed Line: Earth or land
Invected Line: Earth or land
Indented Line: Fire
Dancette Line: Water
Raguly Line: Difficulties that
have been encountered
Embattled Line: Walls of a
fortress or town (also, fire)

Position of Animal

Rampant: standing on hind legs

Rampant Guardant: standing
on hind legs and face turning
towards viewer
Passant: walking
Couchant: lying down
Sejant: sitting

The background of the shield is called a field, placed on these are

The Bend, this appears as a broad band from the chief corner to the

sinister base.

The Pale, this is a broad perpendicular band passing from the top of the shield to the bottom.

The Fess, this is a broad horizontal band crossing the shield in the centre.

The Chevron, which is the same shape as the gable rafter.

The Pile, this is a triangular wedge issuing from the upper party of the shield.

The Saltire

The Chief, this is a broad band across the top of the shield containing the uppermost third of the area of
the shield.

The Pall, is considered to have a heraldic status of an ecclesiastical charge upon the official coat of arms.

The Cross, There are nearly 400 varieties of this heraldic cross.
These have been retrieved from the web site Heraldry and self-representation in the middle ages by the
Central European University.
The Motto
These are optional but if present are usually below the shield or above the crest. This motto can have the
family surname or a family philosophy.

A successful heraldic design is understanding the balance of proportion, colour and a disciplined
boldness, with form and texture playing an important part in modern arms representation (I. Brennan,
The early history of heraldry, 2006). The coat of arms is officially registered today at the College of arms
from when the king of arms granted them in England, Ireland and Scotland.