Meanings of Heraldry Designs

Heraldic emblems were used on the family crest (the coat of arms) of each knight in the Middle Ages in Europe and England. The symbols and other design elements on their shields had a particular meaning.

Metals

The tints of either gold or silver carried connotations about the house that was being represented. Gold symbolized generosity and silver symbolized peace and sincerity.

Colors

Colors on the background field represented different values: red for military strength, blue for truth and loyalty, green for hope and joy, black for constancy, purple for royalty, orange for ambition and maroon for victory.

Lines

Shields were usually partitioned into segments by lines: fesswise (horizontal), palewise (perpendicular) or bendwise (diagonal). Different designs on these lines signified land, water, air or combinations of the above.

Ordinaries

These shapes, such as the fess, cross, chevron, baton or saltire, have various meanings, including, in this case, military honor, dominion, protection, authority, and resolution.

Commons

The more familiar objects, such as the lion, the portcullis and the fleur-de-lis, often appeared in heraldry. The lion symbolized courage, the portcullis, protection, and the fleur-de-lis, purity.

References

• Pimbly's Dictionary of Heraldry
• Heraldry Origins, The Origins and Meaning of Heraldry and Coats of Arms, Joseph C. Wolf
• Fleur-de-lis Designs, The Meanings Behind the Symbols

Resources

• Encyclopaedia heraldica