Symbols and Their Meanings (Without Illustrations)

For colors, furs, and ordinaries, visit the introductory Symbolism page.

Acacia Branch or Leaves: Eternal and affectionate remembrance.
Acorn: Antiquity and strength.
Agricultural Tools: Labouring in the earth and depending upon providence; see also Scythe and Sickle.
Alisaunder (Similar to laurel): Peace and/or triumph.
Allerion (Mythical creature, similar to an eagle, but without the beak or claws): Strength of will and authority of mind.
Anchor: Hope, religious steadfastness.
Anemone: Fragility.
Angel: Dignity, glory, and honour; missionary; bearer of joyful news.
Annulet (finger ring): Fidelity; commitment.
Ant: Great labour, wisdom, and providence in one's affairs.
Antelope (heraldic): A mythical animal with the body of a stag, the tail of a unicorn, a tusk at the tip of the nose, tufts down the back of the neck, chest, and thighs (usually represented with two straight horns serrated on one side). One who will not fight unless provoked; peace and harmony.
Antlers: Strength and fortitude.
Anvil: Honour; emblem of the smith's trade.
Apple: Liberality, felicity and peace.
Arm (or Hand) in Armour or Embowed: A person with qualities of leadership.
Arm (Hand), Naked: An industrious person. Red hand also indicates a baronet in Ireland.
Arrow/Dart: Readiness (for battle); if depicted with a cross, represents an affliction.
Ass: Patience and humility.
Axe or Halbert/Halberd/Hatchet: Execution of military duty.
Badge: Trust
Baguette (ring): Fidelity.
Banners: Refer to special action in which bearer was captured, or a reward for valiant service.
Bar, Barry, or: Barrulet: "One who sets the bar of conscience, religion, and honour against angry passions and evil temptations" acc. to Guillim.
Barry Wavy: Troubles keep us in continuous exercise and reminders of providence (as waves in a storm at sea).
Bat: Awareness of the powers of darkness and chaos.
Baton: Token of authority.
Battle Axe: Execution of military duty.
Bay Leaves: Poet or victor's laurel.
Beacon/Lantern/Lighthouse: One who is watchful; a signal warning of danger.
Bear: Strength, cunning, ferosity in the protection of one's kindred.
Beaver: Industry and perseverance.
Bee: Efficient industry; diligence.
Bells: Power to disperse evil spirits; a hawk's bells denotes one who was not afraid of signalling his approach in peace or war.
Bend: Scarf or shield suspender of a knight commander; signifies defense or protection.
Berries: Liberality, felicity, and peace.
Bezant/besant (Byzantine coin; also, gold roundle): Worthy of trust or treasure; integrity; money management.
Billet/Billettee: Bricks or letters (correspondence); One who obtained credence, knowledge, and faith in his words and deeds; one who is secret in one’s affairs.
Birdbolt: Small arrow with blunt head.
Bishop’s Mitre: Authority.
Blasted: Tree without leaves, withered.
Black-eyed Susan: Justice.
Boar: Bravery; fights to the death.
Boar's Head: Hospitality.
Bonacon: Bull with horse’s tail and short mane.
Bones (crossed thighbones): Mortality.
Bomb: One who has dared the terror of such a weapon in battle.
Book: If open, manifestation; if closed, counsel; also learning and knowledge.
Border: Difference between relatives bearing the same arms; also an augmentation of an honour.
Bourdon (see pilgrim’s or palmer’s staff, with knob at upper end, point at bottom, hook near top)
Bow/Crossbow: Readiness (for battle).
Bow and arrow: War, power, ability to hit a target.
Braced: Interlaced.
Bracket (single or double): Right angle-shaped support, as in shelf bracket.
Bridge: Governor or magistrate.
Broom Plant: Humility.
Buck/Roebuck: One who will not fight unless provoked; peace and harmony.
Buckle: Victorious fidelity in authority.
Buglass (purple quatrefoil): Hope and joy.
Bull/Buffalo: Valour, bravery, generosity.
Bull's Horns: Strength and fortitude.
Butterfly: Psyche or Soul.
Caduceus: Homeopathic medicine; medical profession, balance and the union of opposing forces; health and wellness.
Camel: Docility, patience, and perseverance.
Camellia: "My destiny is in your hands."
Cannon and Cannon Balls: One who has dared the terror of such a weapon in battle.
Canton: As in a flag borne at the top corner of the shield; reward from the sovereign for performance of eminent service.
Cap of maintenance: Granted to British peers and Scottish feudal barons. (See also “chapeau”)
Carnation: Admiration.
Carpenter's Square: Conforming one's actions to the laws of right and equity.
Castle (Tower, Chateau): Safety; the home.
Cat/Wildcat/Lynx: Liberty, vigilance, forecast, and courage.
Catherine wheel: One prepared to undergo great trials for the Christian faith.
Centaur: Eminence in the field of battle.
Chains: Reward for acceptable and weighty service; with crowns and collars, this suggests the bearer bore the chain of obligation or obliged others because of services done.
Chamomile: Energy in adversity; rest and relaxation.
Chapeau: Granted to British peers and Scottish feudal barons.
Chaplet (Floral): Usually with green leaves and four roses; the crown of joy and admiration.
Chequy: Constancy.
Cherub: Dignity, glory, and honour; missionary; bearer of joyful news.
Chessrook: Strategic thinking.
Chevron/chevronel: Protection; Builders or others who have accomplished some work of faithful service.
Chief: Top one-third of the shield; signifies dominion and authority; often granted as a special reward for prudence and wisdom or successful command in war.
Chough (Cornish Crow): Strategist in battle; watchful for friends.
Chrysanthemum: Honesty.
Cinquefoils: Hope and joy.
Civic Crown/Wreath (of oak leaves and acorns): One who saved a fellow citizen's life or shown patriotism in defense of one's native land.
Clarion: Ready for war.
Claw of a Bird: Note the preyer that has been preyed upon.
Clock Tower: Integrity.
Clouds: Mystery, obscured truth.
Cock (male bird; rooster): Courage and perseverance; hero; able man in politics.
Cockatrice (small serpent): Terror to all beholders.
Column: Fortitude and constancy; with serpent coiled around it, wisdom with fortitude.
Comet: Unknown.
Compass: Direction.
Compony/Gobony: Constancy.
Cornflower: National flower of Germany; wealth and good fortune.
Cornish chough (raven or crow): Divine providence.
Corn/Cornucopia (horn of plenty): The bounty of nature's gifts.
Cotice/Cottice (bendlet): Scarf or shield suspender of a knight commander; signifies defense or protection.
Coupeaux (hills -- usually three): Unknown. May be purely an artistic device.
Crab: Strength and power.
Crane (Stork): Close parental bond; Vigilance if holding a rock or stone.
Crescent: One who has been honored by the sovereign; hope of greater glory. (Horns to the chief)
Cresset (Beacon): One who is watchful, who gave the signal in time of danger.
Crocus: Youthful happiness.
Crosier/shepherd’s crook/staff: The shepherd’s watchfulness; Christian faith; pastoral authority; also, Episcopal jurisdiction and authority.
Crossed thighbones: mortality.
Cross: Faith; Service in the Crusades.
Cross (celtic): Unity of heaven and earth.
Constantine’s Cross, Labarum (“P” with “x” at base): Good omen; Christianity.
Cross Crosslet (crossed at each end): Signifies the fourfold mystery of the cross.
Cross Fitchee (pointed at bottom): A combination of cross and sword; unshakeable faith.
Cross Crosslet Fitchee: Signifies the fourfold mystery of the cross, with a combination of cross and sword representing unshakeable faith.
Cross Flory (Patoncee): (cross flowered at each end) One who has conquered.
Cross Formee (Pattee): Military honor.
Cross Formee Fitchee: Military honor and unshakeable faith.
Cross (Maltese; eight points): Blessings; Badge of the Knights Hospitalier.
Cross Moline: (Rep. millrinds/millstones) The mutual converse of human society.
Cross Raguly: Difficulties encountered.
Crow: (Cornish Chough/Blackbird): Strategist in battle; watchful for friends.
Crown/coronet: Royal or seigniorial authority.
Crown (Mural): Defender of a fortress, token of civic honour; one who first mounted the breach in the walls of a fortress.
Crown (Naval): One who first boarded an enemy's ship; distinguished naval commander.
Crown of thorns: Adversity.
Cup (covered): Service; Office of the king's butler.
Cushions: Authority.
Cygnet (young swan): Where gorged with a crown around its neck, signifies dignity.
Cypress: Death and eternal life thereafter.
Daffodil: Respect and new beginnings.
Dagger: Justice and/or military honour.
Dawle (black quatrefoil): Hope and joy.
Decrescent: Crescent with the horns to the sinister.
Deer: One who will not fight unless provoked; peace and harmony.
Diamond: Commitment.
Dice: Constancy.
Discipline: Spartan warrior
Dog: Courage, vigilance, and loyalty.
Dolphin: Swiftness, diligence, salvation, charity, and love.
Dove: Loving constancy and peace; the Holy Spirit; outreach; with an olive branch in its bill, it signifies a harbinger of good tidings.
Dragon: Valiant defender of treasure; valour and protection.
Drops (Guttee): One who has endured torrents of liquids, as in battle, depending upon the color of the liquid.
Yellow: gold.
Blue: tears.
Green: oil.
White (eau): water.
Black (poix): pitch or tar.
Red: blood.
Drum: Ready for war.
Duck/Teal/Sheldrake: Person of many resources.
Eagle: Person of noble nature, strength, bravery, and alertness; leadership; or one who is high-spirited, ingenious, quick-witted, and judicious; "True magnanimity and strength of mind" acc. to. Guillim.
If wings "displayed," it signifies protection.
Eagle (or falcon) with two heads: Conjoining of two noble, strong forces.
Elephant: Great strength, wit, longevity, happiness, royalty, good luck, and ambition.
Enfield: Mythical beast said to have protected fallen chieftains’ bodies for proper burial.
Escallop (scallop shell): Traveller to far places or victorious naval commander.
Escarbuncle: Supremacy; brilliant gem.
Escutcheon, alone, with no charges: Defense.
Escutcheon of Pretence: Claim of a prince to sovereignty; or marriage to an heiress of the family.
Estoile (star with six/eight wavy points): Celestial goodness; noble person.
Eye: Providence in government.
Falcon (Hawk): One who does not rest until objective achieved; purpose; goal-oriented.
Fasces: A bundle of rods tied together around an axe, with the blade projecting out. In ancient Rome, this was a symbol of a magistrate’s authority and the judiciary. (It appears on the reverse side of the U.S. Liberty-head dime.)
Feathers: (usually ostrich feathers) Sign of obedience to the sovereign; serenity; nobility.
Fer de moline (millrind): Center of the millstone, by which it is turned.
Fess/Fesse: Military belt or girdle of honour; represents readiness to serve the public.
Fetterlock/Padlock: Victory; one who has taken prisoners or rescued prisoners of war.
Fife: Ready for war.
Finger, pointing: Direction; correct route.
Fire: Zealousness; passion.
Fish: A true, generous mind; virtuous for himself, not because of his heritage; also unity with Christ, spiritual nourishment. The fish is the traditional emblem of Christ because the letters of its Greek name, “Icthus,” form an acronym for the initial letters of the words, “Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior.”.
Flag/Pennant: Refer to special action in which bearer was captured, or a reward for valiant service.
Flames: Zealousness; passion.
Flanches/Flaunches: Given by a king for virtue and learning.
Flanchis (small versions of the saltire or St. Andrew’s Cross): Resolution.
Fleece (lamb’s): Ancient honour; from the knightly order of the Fleece of Gold.
Fleur-de-lis: Purity; light; floral badge of France; represents sixth son as mark of difference.
Flint stone: Readiness for zealous service.
Flowers: Hope and joy.
Forget-me-not: Remember friends.
Fountain: Usually a roundle, crossed with wavy bars of blue and white; represents water, the source of life, a spring.
Fox: One who will use all that he/she may possess of wisdom and wit in his/her own defense.
Fraises: Strawberries; usually refers to the cinquefoil; hope and joy.
Fret (saltire through a mascle): (Also, fretty or latticework) Persuasion.
Fruit: Felicity and peace.
Fusil (narrow lozenge): Travel and labour.
Fusil of Yarn (yarn with the spindle): Negotiation.
Galley (see ship)
Gannet (duck without beak or legs): One who has to subsist by virtue and merit.
Garb (wheatsheaf): The harvest of one’s hopes has been secured.
Gauntlet: Armed for the performance of martial enterprise.
Gavel: Justice; legal authority.
Gem (Jewel): Supremacy.
Gillyflower (tawney quatrefoil): Hope and joy.
Globe: Worldliness; world travel.
Goat: One who wins through politics rather than war.
Gobbony: Constancy.
Goldenrod: Encouragement.
Goose: Resourcefulness.
Gorged (collar or crown around neck): High dignity.
Grapes: Liberality, felicity, and peace; also, association with wine-making.
Grasshopper: Noble and home-bred.
Grenade: One who has dared the terror of such a weapon in battle.
Greyhound: Courage, vigilance, and loyalty.
Griffin: (Head, wings, and talons of an eagle with the body of a lion): Valour and death-defying bravery; vigilance.
Gyronny: Unity.
Hammer: Honour; emblem of the smith’s trade; carpentry.
Hand: Pledge of faith, sincerity, and justice. Two right hands conjoined represent union and alliance.
Hand, red: Mark of a baronet.
Hands holding heart: Kindness; compassion.
Hare: One who enjoys a peaceable and retired life.
Harp: Well-composed person of tempered judgment; contemplation; mystical bridge between heaven and earth.
Harpy: (virgin's face, neck and breast with the body of a lion): Ferocity under provocation.
Hart (male deer): Peace and harmony.
Hawk (Falcon): One who does not rest until objective achieved; purpose; goal-oriented.
Hawk’s lures: One who is fond of the highest pursuits, i.e., hunting and falconry.
Hazel branch/leaves: Hope and joy; communication.
Head (Human): Honour; if the head of a "blackamoor" or Moor, refers to deeds of prowess in the Crusades.
Heart, Flaming: Intense, burning affection.
Heart, Human: Charity and sincerity.
Hedge: Unknown.
Hedgehog: "Provident provider" acc. to Sloane Evans.
Heliotrope: Devotion and eternal love; sun and prayer.
Helmet: When depicted on the shield, denotes wisdom and security in defense; strength, protection, invulnerability.
Hind (female deer): Peace and harmony.
Holly: Truth.
Hollyhock: Ambition.
Honeysuckle: Devotion.
Horns: Strength and fortitude.
Horse/Seahorse: Readiness for all employments for king and country.
Horseshoe: Good luck and safeguard against evil spirits.
Hourglass: Flight of time; mortality.
Housemark: Presumably such marks were adopted by the bearers as forms of unique identification.
Huitfoil: Mark of cadency for the ninth son.
Human Head: Honour; if a Blackamoor, refers to deeds of prowess in the Crusades.
Humettee: Describes an element that does not touch the sides of the shield.
Hunting Horn/Buglehorn: One who is fond of the chase, of high pursuits.
Hyacinth: Forgiveness.
Hydra (dragon with seven heads): Conquest of a very powerful enemy.
Hyssop: Cleanliness and sacrifice.
Increscent: Crescent with the horns to the dexter.
Inescutcheon: See "Escutcheon of Pretence.”
Ivy Leaves: Strong and lasting friendship; academic pursuits.
Inkhorn/Inkwell: Art of writing and educated employment.
Jaguar: Power, ferosity, and valor; the power to face one’s fears.
Jessamine/White Jasmine (white quatrefoil): Hope and joy; sweet love.
Jessant de lis: With a fleur-de-lis shooting out, i.e, from the mouth of a leopard or lion. Represents dominion over France.
Keys: Guardianship and dominion.
Knight (especially on horseback): The soul guiding the body; man’s journey through life.
Labarum (Constantine’s Cross; “P” with “x” at base): Good omen; Christianity.
Label: Mark of difference; Denotes eldest son during the lifetime of his father.
Ladder (Scaling Ladder): One who was fearless in attacking; if against a tower, be on guard against spiritual and corporeal enemies.
Lamb/ewe: Gentleness and patience under suffering.
Lamb carrying staff or banner with a cross (paschal): Faith; innocence, bravery, gentleness, purity, resolute spirit.
Lamp/Candle/Candlestick: Light, life, and spirituality.
Lamp (lantern): Knowledge, education, learning.
Lance/Javelin: The perfection of martial affairs; emblem of knightly service; devotion to honour.
Laurel Leaves: Peace and/or triumph.
Leg: Strength, stability, and expedition.
Leopard/Ounce: Valiant and hardy individual who enterprises hazardous undertakings with courage; business enterprise.
Leopard’s head swallowing a fleur-de-lis (jessant): Represents the lion of England swallowing the lily of France..
Letter (i.e., A, B, C): May represent great battles or tournaments beginning with that letter.
Level: Equity and upright action; virtuous person.
Light: Creativity.
Lightning Bolt: Swiftness and power; spiritual enlightenment.
Lilac: Love and passion.
Lily: Purity; see "Fleur-de-lis".
Lily of the Valley: Purity, happiness, luck, and humility.
Linden branch/leaves: Hope and joy.
Lion: Dauntless courage; also, integrity.
Lion (heraldic): Bravery, strength, ferosity, and valour.
Lotus flower: Health and wellness; also spirituality, strength, and beauty.
Lozenge/Lozengy: Constancy.
Lunel (four crescents facing each other): One who has been honored by the sovereign; hope of greater glory.
Lymphad (see ship)
Lyre: Contemplation; tempered judgment.
Man: Various meanings.
Marigold: Devotion and piety.
Mars: Warrior; physical energy and efforts.
Martlet (footless swallow): Symbol of the fourth son (mark of difference); may signify one who has to subsist by virtue and merit, not inheritance.
Mascle (hollowed out lozenge): Persuasive.
Mastiff: Courage, vigilance, and loyalty.
Matches (in a roll and fired): Possible reference to one who has dared the terror of such a weapon in battle.
Maunch (lady's sleeve): "For my lady's sake."
Mermaid: Eloquence.
Millpick: Miller’s tool.
Millrind/millstone/fer-de-moline: The mutual converse of human society; miller’s tool.
Mitre (Bishop’s): Authority.
Mole: Unknown.
Monkey: Unknown.
Moon: Serene power over mundane actions.
Moor/Saracen/Turk: Refers to deeds of prowess in the Crusades.
Moor-fowl or Moor-cock: Association with the law or the legal profession.
Moose: Integrity, value.
Morning Glory: Affection.
Mortars: One who has dared the terror of such a weapon in battle.
Mount/mound (rounded terrace at base of shield): Unknown. May be purely an artistic device or a reference to a geographic feature of the bearer’s region of origin.
Mulberries: Liberality, felicity, and peace.
Mule: Often borne by abbots and abbesses who have pastoral jurisdiction, but not real jurisdiction.
Mullet (five-pointed star): Divine quality from above; mark of third son.
Musical Pipes: Festivity and rejoicing.
Nasturtium: Patriotism and/or conquest.
Oak Tree, Leaves, Bush: Great age and strength.
Oak Tree/Bush with Acorns: Continuous growth and fertility.
Oat Garb or Sheaf: The harvest of one's hopes has been secured.
Olive Branch or Leaves: Peace and concordance.
Orle: Preservation or protection.
Ostrich and ostrich plumes: Willing obedience to the sovereign; serenity; nobility.
Otter: One who lives life to the fullest.
Owl: One who is vigilant and of acute wit; wisdom.
Ox: Valour and generosity; diligence.
Pale/palet/pallet: Military strength.
Palm Branch: Victory, justice, and royal honour.
Palm tree: Righteousness and resurrection; victory.
Panther: Fierce, but tender and loving to children and will defend her children with her life.
Parchment/Scroll/Diploma: Academic or scholarly achievement.
Parrot: Unknown.
Paschal Lamb: Faith; innocence, bravery, gentleness, purity, resolute spirit.
Passion Nails: Token of poignant suffering undergone by the bearer.
Pavilion: Readiness for battle.
Peacock: Beauty, power, and knowledge; also resurrection and immortality.
Pears: Felicity and peace.
Pegasus: Poetic genius and inspiration; messenger of God.
Pelican: Self-sacrifice and charitable nature. Feeding her young signifies the duties of a parent or parental love.
Pen: Art of writing and educated employment.
Pennon/flag: Refers to some special action in which it was captured or as a reward for gallant service.
Peony: Anger (older meaning); romance and marriage (modern).
Periwinkle (blue quatrefoil): Hope and joy.
Pheasant: Person of many resources.
Pheon (Spear-head): Dexterity and nimble wit; readiness for battle.
Phoenix: Symbol of resurrection.
Pig: Fertility.
Pile: Represents large pieces of wood used in building bridges; engineering skills, builder. Single pile may represent flag or pennon.
Pilgrim’s Stave/Palmer’s Stave: The shepherd’s watchfulness; Christian faith; pastoral authority; also, Episcopal jurisdiction and authority; often refers to early pilgrimages to Jerusalem.
Pillar: Fortitude and constancy; with serpent coiled around it, wisdom with fortitude.
Pike (fish): A true, generous mind; virtuous for himself, not because of his heritage; also unity with Christ, spiritual nourishment. The fish is the traditional emblem of Christ because the letters of its Greek name, “Icthus,” form an acronym for the initial letters of the words, “Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior.”.
Pincers: Honour; emblem of the smith's trade.
Pine: Death and eternal life thereafter.
Pine Cone or Pineapple: Life.
Pineapple: Hospitality; warm welcomes; celebration.
Pipes (music): Festivity and rejoicing.
Pistol: Unknown. Possible reference to proficiency with such a weapon.
Pitcher: Office of service.
Plant: Hope and joy.
Plow (ploughshare): Labouring in the earth and depending upon providence.
Plume of feathers: Sign of willing obedience and serenity of mind.
Plummet: Equity and upright action; virtuous person.
Pomegranate Fruit: Fertility and abundance.
Poplar leaves: Hope and joy.
Poppy - Red (sanguine quatrefoil): Hope and joy; remembrance.
Portcullis (castle gate): Protection in an emergency.
Proboscides: Representing two elephant trunks; the elephant symbolizes longevity, strength, royalty, dignity, patience, wisdom, happiness, and good luck.

Quatrefoil (Primrose): Brings good tidings.
Rabbit (Conie): One who enjoys a peaceable and retired life.
Rainbow: Good times after bad.
Ram: Authority.
Rat: Unknown.
Ratch-hound (small hound): Loyalty, courage, and vigilance.
Raven: Divine providence.
Ray/rayonee: Glory and splendour; fountain of life; intelligence and enlightenment.
Rhinoceros: Ferocious when aroused.
Rhododendren: Be wary, careful.
Rock: Safety and protection; refuge; also, vigilance.
Rose: Hope and joy; Mark of the seventh son.
Rose, Red: Grace and beauty; art.
Rose, White: Love and faith.
Roundles:
Gold or yellow: bezants/besants or byzantine coins (worthy of trust or treasure).
White: plate (generosity).
Green: pomme (apple).
Purple: golpe (wounded).
Blue: hurt or wortleberry .
Black: pellet, ogress, or gunstone (cannon ball).
Red: torteau (communion wafer or manchet cake).
Tawney: orange (tennis ball).
Sabre (see Sword)
Saddle: Preparedness for active service.
Salmon (see fish)
Salamander: Protection.
Saltire: (St. Andrew's Cross) Resolution.
Savage/Saracen: Believed to be related to service in the Crusades.
Scallop Shell: See "Escallop.”
Scales: Justice.
Sceptre: The emblem of justice.
Scroll (See Parchment or Diploma)
Scythe, Shovel, Sickle or Share-Plow (farm tools): The hope of a fruitful harvest.
Sea horse: Power of the water.
Sea lion/Seal: Dauntless courage at sea.
Seamew/Seagull: Probable reference to life on or near the sea.
Self-control, self-discipline: Spartan warrior.
Seraphim: (angel with three pairs of wings) Dignity, glory, and honour; missionary; bearer of joyful news.
Serpent/Snake/Lizard/Adder: Wisdom.
Shacklebolt: Victory; one who has taken prisoners or rescued prisoners of war.
Shamrock: Perpetuity; floral device of Ireland.
Shield: When borne on the arms, represents the defender.
Ship (lymphad, boat, etc.): Ancient sea voyages.
Ship, Dismasted: Disaster at sea.
Shutle (Weaver’s shuttle): Reference to the bearer’s profession, i.e, textiles.
Skull: Mortality.
Snail: Deliberation and perseverance.
Snake: Wisdom.
Snapdragon: Deception.
Spear/Pike: Honourable warrior; valiant knight.
Spear-heads (Pheons): Dexterity and nimble wit; readiness for battle.
Sphere: Geographical or scientific reference.
Sphinx: Omniscience and secrecy.
Spider: Wisdom, labour, and prudence.
Spur/spur rowel: Preparedness for active service; pressing onward.
Square Symbols: Constancy.
Squirrel: Lover of the woods.
Stag/Reindeer: One who will not fight unless provoked; peace and harmony.
Stag's Antlers: Strength and fortitude.
Star (estoile): Celestial goodness; leadership; service; noble person.
Steel: Readiness for zealous service.
Stirrup: Preparedness for active service.
Stool: Hospitality.
Stone: Vigilance.
Stork: Filial duty; close parental bond; If holding a rock, symbolizes vigilance. Also traveler and new life.
Sun: Glory and splendour; fountain of life; intelligence, innovation, creativity, and enlightenment.
Swallow: One who is prompt and ready in doing business; also bringer of good news.
Swan: Poetic harmony and learning, or lover thereof; light, love, grace, sincerity, perfection, compassion.
Sweetpea: Pleasure.
Sword/Sabre/Dagger/Dart/Scimitar: Justice and/or military honour.
Table: Hospitality.
Tabor: Festivity and rejoicing.
Talbot: Courage, vigilance, and loyalty.
Tansy: War.
Tent: Readiness for battle.
Terrace: Unknown. May be purely an artistic device.
Thistle: Traditional symbol of Scotland.
Tiger: Fierceness and valour; dangerous if aroused.
Toque (hat): Nobility.
Torch: Education; Life; zealousness; passion; service; truth and intelligence.
Tortoise: Invulnerability to attack.
Tower/Wall: Safety and grandeur; a wall may also represent the mason profession.
Tree: Life and the mystical connection of the earth with heaven and the underworld.
Tree Trunk/Stump/Branch: New life sprouting from the old.
Trefoil or Shamrock (three-leaved grass): Perpetuity.
Tressure: Preservation or protection. (Prominent in the arms of Scotland.)
Tressure flory counterflory: Signifies the close, longterm alliance between France and Scotland.
Trestle: Hospitality.
Trident: Maritime dominion.
Trumpet: Ready for war.
Unicorn: Extreme courage; virtue and strength.
Valerian: Readiness.
Verbena: Prayer; protection against evil.
Vine: Strong and lasting friendship.
Violet: Loyalty, devotion, faithfulness.
Vulture: Purification and maternity; also, virginity (in Christianity)
Walnut leaves: Hope and joy.
Water Bouget: One who carried water to an army or a besieged place.
Wheat-Ears: Faithful.
Wheat Garb or Sheaf: The harvest of one's hopes has been secured.
Wheel: Fortune; cycle of life.
Wings: Swiftness and protection.
Wolf: Reward from perseverance in long sieges and/or hard industry.
Woman: Various meanings.
Woodbine Leaves: Love that does not injure that which it clings to.
Wreath of laurel leaves and berries: Triumph.
Wren: Freedom.
Wyvern/wivern (Dragon with only two legs and armed tail): Valour and protection.
Yarrow: Love.
Yew: Death and eternal life thereafter.
Zinnia: Reminder not to forget absent friends.