Heraldry is the system of showing your identity using a unique combination of colors, symbols and shapes. These combinations of symbols were originally used to identify a person in battle, thus they covered flags and shields and were called armorial bearings.
To this day, people, places and corporate bodies still seek to identify themselves uniquely โ whether by the display of a registered heraldic shield and motto, or a simple trademarked logo and catchphrase.
The Family Crest that we know of in modern times is formally called a โHeraldic Achievementโ.
It commonly included the following:
Shield (Coat of Arms) – the centerpiece of the achievement
Supporters – objects or animals that look like theyโre holding the shield located on either side.
Helmet and Crest – The helm is situated above the shield and varies according to rank and social status. On top of the helm is the crest, a unique symbol of identity.
Motto, slogan, or war cry
The centerpiece of a Coat of Arms is the shield. In battle, this design would have been placed on the warriorโs shield to identify themselves to their allies and enemies.
Heraldry uses certain terms to describe the direction in which designs can be placed on the field, or the surface of the shield. These are the chief and base (top and bottom), and sinister and dexter (left and right, from the viewpoint of the bearer of the shield, so that sinister is on the right of the one facing the shield).
Warriorโs shields were commonly decorated with bright, strong colors such as red, blue, green, black, or purple.
Metals such as gold (or) and silver (Argent);
Or furs such as Ermine (white winter fur of stoats) or Vair (squirrel skins)
In picking the use of colors, make them recognizable by using contrasts and using simple designs.
On top of the tinctures, the field can be further decorated with charges.
Ordinaries are simple geometric shapes which seem to divide the shield into sections.
Mobile charges are those figures that may be placed in any part of the field. Examples of these are human figures, parts, creatures, floral designs, etc.
Now that you have learned the basics, in the creation of the Coat of Arms, you can now add other elements such as the Supporters, Helm and slogan to complete the Family crest.
Take into account that each symbol, color or design you put into the crest have a meaning to your or your familyโs identity.
If you want to learn more about Heraldry and the usage of Coat of Arms, you can check the following resources:
https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/…/design-your-own…/
https://www.britannica.com/topic/coat-of-arms
