Coats of Arms Explained
TLDRThis video script delves into the history and intricacies of heraldry, explaining the distinctions between a coat of arms and a family crest. It clarifies that a coat of arms refers to the design on a shield, often worn on a tabard, while a family crest is the image atop the helmet. Heraldry originated in the high middle ages, with unique designs evolving to represent individuals and families. The script outlines the eight parts of a heraldic achievement, the significance of tinctures, and the rule of tinctures in design. It also touches on charges, supporters, and the importance of official recognition in heraldry, concluding with advice on identifying genuine versus fake achievements.
Takeaways
- 🛡️ The entire image is called a heraldic achievement, with the term 'coat of arms' referring specifically to the image within the shield.
- 🏰 The name 'coat of arms' comes from the practice of wearing the design on an actual coat, known as a tabard.
- 🦁 The term 'family crest' is often misused to refer to the entire image, but it actually only refers to the small image atop the helmet.
- 🎨 Heraldry involves the use of designs on shields to represent individuals, families, or organizations, with specific designs starting in the high middle ages.
- 🤖 The practice of using designs on shields may have originated for various reasons, including decoration, striking fear in opponents, or showing status, not just for identification in battle.
- 🦇 The rule of tinctures is a fundamental aspect of heraldic design, dictating that metals should not be placed on metals and colors should not be on colors.
- 🏰 Charges are the images on the shield, which can include geometric shapes, crosses, animals, and various other symbols, each with potential meanings.
- 📜 The blazon is a shorthand used to describe the design on the shield, using specific terms to denote colors, shapes, and positions.
- 🦅 Supporters are figures on either side of the shield that can represent high status or special service, and are not present in all heraldic achievements.
- 👑 The helm and torse are parts of the achievement that can symbolize rank, with different styles indicating nobility or royalty.
- 📜 A motto is a phrase chosen by the person or family receiving the arms, often added later and typically in Latin, to represent their values or ideals.
Q & A
What is the term for the entire image that includes a coat of arms and other elements?
-The entire image is called a heraldic achievement.
Why is the design within the shield referred to as a 'coat of arms'?
-The term 'coat of arms' comes from the practice of wearing the design on an actual coat, known as a tabard.
What is the correct term for the small image atop the helmet in a heraldic achievement?
-The small image atop the helmet is called the 'crest'.
When did the practice of heraldry, with specific designs for individuals or families, begin?
-Heraldry with unique designs for individuals or families started in the high middle ages, around the 12th century.
What is the purpose of the 'rule of tinctures' in heraldic design?
-The rule of tinctures ensures that metals are not placed atop metals and colors are not placed atop colors, to maintain visual distinction in the design.
What are the two main types of furs used in heraldry and what do they represent?
-The two main types of furs are 'hermann', which mimics the fur of a weasel, and 'there', which mimics the fur of a squirrel, and they represent animal furs worn by noblemen.
What is the term used to describe the process of quickly describing the design on a shield?
-The process is called 'blazoning', which is a shorthand used in heraldry to describe the design.
What are 'ordinaries' in heraldry and what do they consist of?
-Ordinaries are the most common charges in heraldry and consist mostly of geometric shapes, similar to divisions and variations on a shield.
What is the significance of the 'supporters' in a heraldic achievement and what do they represent?
-Supporters are figures on either side of the shield that hold it up. They generally represent the status of the person or family and are often animals with connections to certain nations, like lions for England.
What is the historical purpose of the 'motto' in a heraldic achievement?
-The motto is a phrase chosen by the person or family receiving the arms, often added years or generations later, and usually in Latin, to represent their beliefs or ideals.
How can one identify a potentially unofficial or 'bogus' coat of arms?
-An unofficial coat of arms might be identified by not following the rules of tinctures, misuse of royal charges, incorrect divisions, supporters not in a compartment, or the use of overly cliche charges.
Outlines
🛡 Introduction to Heraldry and Coat of Arms
This paragraph introduces the concepts of heraldry, coats of arms, and family crests, explaining their origins and meanings. It clarifies common misconceptions about the terms and describes the historical development of heraldic achievements from the high middle ages. The paragraph also outlines the role of heralds and the establishment of the college of arms. It details the components of a heraldic achievement, including the shield, helm, torse, crest, supporters, compartment, and motto, and explains the significance of tinctures and charges in heraldic design.
🏰 Heraldic Charges, Blazon, and Supporting Elements
This paragraph delves deeper into the specifics of heraldic charges, explaining the various types of charges such as ordinaries, crosses, animals, and objects, and how they can carry different meanings depending on the context. It introduces the concept of a blazon, a shorthand method used to describe the design on a shield. The paragraph also discusses the significance of supporters, the helm, the torse, the crest, and the compartment in a heraldic achievement, as well as the tradition of selecting and using mottos. It concludes with advice on identifying unofficial or poorly designed heraldic achievements and the importance of adhering to heraldic rules and traditions.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Heraldry
💡Coat of Arms
💡Family Crest
💡Heraldic Achievement
💡Tinctures
💡Ordinaries
💡Charges
💡Blazon
💡Supporters
💡Helm
💡Motto
Highlights
The entire image is called a heraldic achievement, with 'coat of arms' referring specifically to the image within the shield.
The term 'family crest' is often misused; it actually refers only to the small image atop the helmet in a heraldic achievement.
Heraldry originated in the high middle ages, around the 12th century, and is the use of designs on shields to represent individuals, families, or organizations.
The practice of using designs on shields may have started for identification in battle, but this theory is disputed due to lack of evidence.
Heraldic designs were also used for decoration, intimidation, and to display status among medieval soldiers.
The title of 'herald' was created to track and assign unique heraldic designs, leading to the establishment of the College of Arms.
A heraldic achievement is composed of eight parts: shield, helm, torse, crest, supporters, compartment, and motto.
The shield contains the field and charges, with tinctures referring to the colors used in heraldic designs.
There are seven main tinctures in heraldry, including two metals (gold and silver) and five colors, with additional stains and non-traditional tinctures added over time.
The rule of tinctures is a fundamental principle in heraldic design, stating that metals should not be placed atop metals and colors should not be atop colors.
Charges are the images placed on the field of the shield and can have various meanings depending on the context.
The blazon is a shorthand method to describe the design on a shield, using specific heraldic language.
Supporters are figures on either side of the shield and are typically given to those of high status or as an award for special service.
The helm and torse are parts of the heraldic achievement, with the helm indicating rank and the torse being a decorative cloth.
The crest is the image atop the helm, often used as a badge and mistakenly referred to as the entire heraldic achievement.
Mottos are chosen by the person or family receiving the arms and are often added later or in Latin.
To spot unofficial or 'bogus' heraldic achievements, look for violations of the rule of tinctures, misuse of royal charges, incorrect divisions, and cliché charges.
Official heraldic achievements are granted by official organizations, and creating unofficial arms may be considered disrespectful.
Transcripts
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