SYMBOLISM OF HERALDIC COLORS, FURS, LINES & ORDINARIES or...
What does it mean if your coat of arms bears a red boar's head?
The following descriptions and meanings are gleaned from a variety of sources, some of which disagree on those meanings. The most commonly accepted meanings are given, but scholars vary in the their opinions concerning the reliability of any "commonly held" historic meanings for coats of arms and crests.
For examples of the different positions for heraldic animals, see our "Sample Lions In Heraldry" page.
The most common heraldic symbols and their meanings
as suggested by some historians.
(U THROUGH Z)
For a list of symbols and their meanings, without illustrations, visit Meanings: All.
For a list of all symbols and their meanings with illustrations (page may take a while to load to your screen), visit Symbolism.
| Element | Illustration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Unicorn | See Sample Unicorns | Extreme courage; virtue and strength |
| Vine |  |
Strong and lasting friendship; Peace and plenty; luck and strength |
| Violet |  |
Modesty, virtue, affection, faithfulness, love |
| Vol (Set of Wings) |
|
Swiftness and protection |
| Vulture |  |
Purification and maternity; also, virginity (in Christianity) |
| Walnut Leaves |  |
Hope and joy |
| Water Lily |  |
Eloquence and persuasion |
| Water Bouget |  |
One who carried water to an army or a besieged place |
| Wheat-Ear |   |
Faithful |
| Wheat Garb or Sheaf |   |
The harvest of one's hopes has been secured |
| Wheel |  |
Fortune; cycle of life |
| Willow (Weeping) |  |
Pliancy; Serenity & Friendship; Patience & Perseverence |
| Wings (See also "Vol") |   |
Swiftness and protection |
| Wisteria |  |
Welcome; playful spontaneity |
| Wolf |       |
Reward from perseverance in long sieges and/or hard industry |
| Woodbine Leaves |  |
Love that does not injure that which it clings to |
| Woman |
|
Various meanings |
| Wreath of laurel leaves (and berries) |     |
Triumph |
| Wren |  |
Freedom |
| Wyvern (Dragon with only two legs and armed tail) |
  |
Valour and protection |
| Yew |  |
Death and eternal life thereafter; Faith & resurrection |
| Zinnia |  |
Lasting affection, constancy, goodness, remembrance |
