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Coat of Arms Components
Shield
The shield in a coat of arms is one of its most significant components and serves as the central element of the design. It represents the identity, history, and values of the individual, family, or institution it symbolizes. The design on the shield has specific heraldic meanings, which are conveyed through the colors, divisions, charges (symbols), and patterns. Here’s a breakdown of the main elements and their meanings:
- Colors (Tinctures)
Heraldic colors have specific symbolic meanings:
Gold (Or): Generosity, wealth, and glory.
Silver (Argent): Purity, peace, and sincerity.
Red (Gules): Courage, bravery, and strength.
Blue (Azure): Loyalty, truth, and trustworthiness.
Green (Vert): Hope, joy, and loyalty in love.
Black (Sable): Constancy, grief, and sometimes mystery.
Purple (Purpure): Sovereignty, justice, and regal dignity.
2. Divisions of the Shield
The shield can be divided into sections, each with specific meanings:
Per Pale (Vertical division): Duality or partnership.
Per Fess (Horizontal division): Division between earthly and spiritual realms.
Quartered: Alliance or union of families.
Chevron: Protection, faithfulness, or building a legacy.
3. Charges (Symbols)
Symbols placed on the shield are called “charges,” and their meanings often depend on the object depicted. Some common charges include:
Lion: Courage, nobility, and valor.
Eagle: Power, authority, and vision.
Cross: Faith and devotion.
Sword: Justice, strength, and military honor.
Stars (Estoiles or Mullets): Celestial guidance or noble achievements.
Fleur-de-lis: Purity, light, and connection to France.
Tree: Growth, endurance, and ancestry.
Ship: Adventure, travel, or commerce.
4. Ordinaries and Sub-Ordinaries
Geometric shapes are common in heraldry and carry their own meanings:
Chief (Upper third of the shield): Leadership or authority.
Fess (Horizontal band): Honor or military readiness.
Pale (Vertical band): Strength and fortitude.
Chevron (Upside-down ‘V’): Protection or a builder’s achievements.
Saltire (Diagonal cross): Resilience and resolve.
Bend (Diagonal stripe): Defense or military duty.
5. Context
The overall meaning of the shield design is influenced by its combination of elements. The full coat of arms tells a story about the bearer’s history, achievements, and aspirations.
Our NuHerald Shields
Quarterly-Earth-Argent-Shield
Quarterly-Or-Earth-Shield
Quarterly-Gules-Argent-Shield
Quarterly-Gules-Or-Shield
Quarterly-Gules-Purpure-Shield
Quarterly-Gules-Vert-Shield
Quarterly-Or-Azure-Shield
Quarterly-Or-Earth-Shield
Quarterly-Or-Earth-Shield
Quarterly-Or-Gules-Shield
Quarterly-Or-Purpure-Shield
Quarterly-Or-Sable-Shield
Quarterly-Or-Sky-Shield
Quarterly-Or-Sun-Shield
Quarterly-Or-Vert-Shield
Quarterly-Purpure-Argent-Shield
Quarterly-Purpure-Gules-Shield
Quarterly-Purpure-Sky-Shield
Quarterly-Purpure-Sky-Shield
Quarterly-Sable-Argent-Shield
Quarterly-Sable-Sky-Shield
Quarterly-Sky-Argent-Shield
Quarterly-Sky-Azure-Shield
Quarterly-Sun-Argent-Shield
Quarterly-Sun-Earth-Shield
Quarterly-Sun-Or-Shield
Quarterly-Vert-Or-Shield
Quarterly-Vert-Or-Shield
Quarterly-Vert-Sable-Shield
Quarterly_Azure_Vert_Shield
Quarterly_Azure_Sun_Shield
Quarterly_Azure_Sky_Shield
Quarterly_Azure_Sable_Shield
Quarterly_Azure_Purpure_Shield
Quarterly_Azure_Or_Shield
Quarterly_Azure_Gules_Shield
Quarterly_Azure_Earth_Shield
Quarterly_Azure_Argent_Shield
Bare-Argent-Traditional-Shield
Bare-Azure-Traditional-Shield
Bare-Earth-Traditional-Shield
Bare-Gules-Traditional-Shield
Bare-Or-Traditional-Shield
Bare-Purpure-Traditional-Shield
Bare-Sable-Traditional-Shield
Bare-Sky-Traditional-Shield
Bare-Sun-Traditional-Shield
Bare-Vert-Traditional-Shield
Cross-Argent-Azure-Shield
Cross-Argent-Earth-Shield
Cross-Argent-Gules-Shield
Cross-Argent-Or-Shield
Cross-Argent-Purpure-Shield
Cross-Argent-Sable-Shield
Cross-Argent-Sky-Shield
Cross-Argent-Sun-Shield
Cross-Argent-Vert-Shield
Cross-Azure-Argent-Shield
Cross-Azure-Gules-Shield
Cross-Azure-Or-Shield
Cross-Azure-Sun-Shield
Cross-Earth-Argent-Shield
Cross-Earth-Sun-Shield
Cross-Gules-Argent-Shield
Cross-Gules-Or-Shield
Cross-Or-Argent-Shield
Cross-Or-Azure-Shield
Cross-Or-Earth-Shield
Cross-Or-Gules-Shield
Cross-Or-Purpure-Shield
Cross-Or-Sable-Shield
Cross-Or-Sky-Shield
Cross-Or-Sun-Shield
Cross-Or-Vert-Shield
Cross-Purpure-Argent-Shield
Cross-Purpure-Or-Shield
Cross-Sable-Argent-Shield
Cross-Sable-Or-Shield
Cross-Sky-Argent-Shield
Cross-Sky-Azure-Shield
Cross-Sky-Or-Shield
Cross-Sun-Argent-Shield
Cross-Sun-Earth-Shield
Cross-Sun-Gules-Shield
Cross-Sun-Or-Shield
Cross-Sun-Sky-Shield
Cross-Sun-Vert-Shield
Cross-Vert-Argent-Shield
Cross-Vert-Gules-Shield
Cross-Vert-Or-Shield
Cross-Vert-Sun-Shield
Pale-Argent-Azure-Shield
Pale-Argent-Gules-Shield
Pale-Argent-Sable-Shield
Pale-Argent-Sky-Shield
Pale-Argent-Vert-Shield
Pale-Azure-Argent-Shield
Pale-Azure-Earth-Shield
Pale-Azure-Or-Shield
Pale-Earth-Argent-Shield
Pale-Earth-Sun-Shield
Pale-Gules-Argent-Shield
Pale-Gules-Or-Shield
Pale-Gules-Sky-Shield
Pale-Or-Argent-Shield
Pale-Or-Earth-Shield
Pale-Or-Gules-Shield
Pale-Or-Purpure-Shield
Pale-Or-Sky-Shield
Pale-Or-Sun-Shield
Pale-Purpure-Or-Shield
Pale-Sable-Argent-Shield
Pale-Sky-Argent-Shield
Pale-Sky-Azure-Shield
Pale-Sky-Or-Shield
Pale-Sun-Argent-Shield
Pale-Sun-Earth-Shield
Pale-Sun-Sky-Shield
Pale-Sun-Vert-Shield
Pale-Vert-Gules-Shield
Pale-Vert-Or-Shield