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. Primary Source: The Symbols of Heraldry Explained (Heraldic Artists Ltd, Dublin, 1980)
For examples of the different positions for heraldic animals, see our "Sample Lions In Heraldry" page.
Colors
Even the colors can have special meaning in a "family crest" or coat of arms:
| Color | Heraldic Name | Symbolism |
|---|---|---|
| Gold or Yellow | Or | Generosity and elevation of the mind |
| Silver or White | Argent | Peace and sincerity |
| Red | Gules | Warrior or martyr; Military strength and magnanimity |
| Blue | Azure | Truth and loyalty |
| Green | Vert | Hope, joy, and loyalty in love |
| Black | Sable | Constancy or grief |
| Purple | Purpure | Royal majesty, sovereignty, and justice |
| Orange | Tawny or Tenne | Worthy ambition |
| Maroon | Sanguine or Murray | Patient in battle, and yet victorious |
Furs
The mere fact that a shield or crest contains furs suggests a mark of dignity. Usually the fur coat of the weasel is represented.
| Fur | Heraldic Name | Coloring |
|---|---|---|
 |
Ermine | White with black spots |
 |
Ermines | Black with white spots |
 |
Erminois | Gold with black spots |
 |
Pean | Black with gold spots |
 |
Vair | White and blue bell shapes |
Heraldic Lines and Ordinaries
Different types of dividing lines, borders, sections, etc. can all have meaning.
| Element | Heraldic Name | Symbolism |
|---|---|---|
 |
Nebuly | Clouds or air |
 |
Wavy | Sea or water |
 |
Engrailed | Earth or land |
 |
Invected | Earth or land |
 |
Indented | Fire |
 |
Dancette | Water |
 |
Raguly | Difficulties that have been encountered |
 |
Embattled | Walls of a fortress or town (also, fire) |
The most common heraldic symbols and their meanings as suggested by some historians.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Acacia Branch or Leaves |  |
Eternal and affectionate remembrance |
| Acanthus Leaves |  |
Admiration of the arts |
| Acorn |   |
Antiquity and strength. |
Agricultural Tools (See also Scythe and Sickle) |
 |
Labouring in the earth and depending upon providence |
| Alisaunder (Similar to Laurel) | Peace and/or triumph. | |
| Allerion (Mythical creature, similar to an eagle, but without beak or claws) |  |
Strength of will and authority of mind |
| Anchor |  |
Hope; religious steadfastness |
| Angelica |  |
Inspiration |
| Angels | (See Sample Angels) | Dignity, glory, and honour; missionary; bearer of joyful news |
| Annulet (finger ring) |
  |
Fidelity |
| 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 ) |   |
Harmony, political cunning, peace |
| Antlers |  |
Strength and fortitude |
| Anvil |   |
Honour; emblem of the smith's trade |
| Apple/ Apple Tree |   |
Liberality, felicity, and peace; Perpetual concordance |
| Arm (or Hand) in Armour or Embowed |   |
A person with qualities of leadership |
| Arm, Naked |   |
An industrious person |
| Arrow or Dart |  |
Readiness (for battle); if depicted with a cross, represents an affliction |
| Aspen Leaves |  |
Determination; overcoming fears and doubts |
| Ass |   |
Patience and humility |
Axe (Also Halbert, Halberd, Hatchet) |
  |
Execution of military duty |
| Azalea |  |
Temperance, passion |
| Baby's Breath |  |
Purity of heart, innocence, breath of the Holy Spirit |
| Baguette (gem ring) |  |
Fidelity |
| Banderole |  |
See Banners |
| Banner | (See banderole) | Refer to special action in which bearer was captured, or a reward for valiant service |
| Bar, Barry, 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 | (See Axe) | Execution of military duty |
| Bay Leaves |  |
Poet or victor's laurel |
| Beacon (Also Lantern or Lighthouse) |  |
One who is watchful, who gave the signal in time of danger |
| Bear |
|
Strength, cunning, ferocity in the protection of one's kindred |
| Beaver |   |
Industry and perseverance |
| Bee |   |
Efficient industry |
| Beech |  |
Tolerance, knowledge of history |
| Bell |   |
Power to disperse evil spirits; a hawk's bells denotes one who was not afraid of signalling his approach in peace or war |
Bell Tower (or Clock Tower) |
 |
Integrity |
Bend/Bendy |
 |
Scarf or shield suspender of a knight
commander; signifies defense or protection |
| Berries | Liberality, felicity, and peace | |
| Bezant/Byzantine Coin (Also Besant; Gold Roundle) |
  |
Worthy of trust of treasure. |
| 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. |
| Birch |  |
New beginnings; vision quest |
| Bird of Paradise |  |
Freedom |
| Birdbolt | (See Arrow) | Small arrow with blunt head. |
| Bishop's Mitre |    |
Authority |
| Black-Eyed Susan |  |
Encouragement |
| Blasted |  |
Tree without leaves, withered |
| Bluebonnet |  |
Grace, forgiveness, mercy |
| Boar |   |
Bravery; fights to the death |
| Boar's Head |  |
Hospitality |
| Bonacon | (See Bull) | Bull with horse's tail and short mane. |
| Bomb (Mortar Piece) |  |
One who has dared the terror of such a weapon in battle |
| Bones (Crossed Thighbones) |  |
Mortality |
| Book | (See Sample Books and Bibles) | If open, manifestation; if closed, counsel |
| Border |  |
Difference between relatives bearing the same arms; also an augmentation of an honour |
| Bourdon (See Pilgrim's Staff or Palmer's Stave) |  |
See pilgrim's or palmer's staff -- knob at upper end, point at bottom, hook near top |
| Bow |  |
Readiness (for battle) |
| Bow and Arrow |  |
War, power, ability to hit a target |
| Braced |  |
Interlaced |
| Bracket |  |
May be single or double; right angle-shaped support, as in a shelf support |
| Bridge |  |
Governor or magistrate |
| Broom Plant |   |
Humility; Ardor |
| Buck (See Stag) |  |
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 Head |  |
Valour, bravery, generosity |
| Bull's Horns | Strength and fortitude | |
| Butterfly |  |
Psyche or Soul |
| Cactus Flower |  |
Bravery and endurance |
| Cadences (Marks of Cadency) | See Marks of Cadency | Used to differentiate the heirs in a family. |
| Caduceus |  |
Homeopathic medicine; medical profession; balance and the union of opposing forces |
| Calla Lily |  |
Magnificent beauty; purity and chastity |
Caltrap (or Caltrop) A weapon made up of two or more sharp nails or spines arranged in such a manner that one of them always points upward from a stable base. |
|
Considered the landmines of antiquity, useful to slow down the advance of the enemy army and to force the enemy into certain paths and approaches, or to provide a passive defense as part of a defensive works system. They were said to be particularly effective against the soft feet of camels. |
| Camel |    |
Docility, patience, and perseverance |
| Cannon & Cannon Balls |  |
One who has dared the terror of such a weapon in battle |
| Candle/Lamp |   |
Light, life, and spirituality |
| 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 "Chapeau") |
| Carnation |  |
Admiration; fascination, impulsiveness, capriciousness, joy, devotion |
| Carpenter's Square |  |
Conforming one's actions to the laws of right and equity |
| Castle (Tower/Chateau) | See Sample Castles | Safety; protection |
| Cat (Also Wildcat or Lynx) |      |
Liberty, vigilance, forecast, and courage |
| Cattails (Bulrushes) |  |
Peace and prosperity |
| Catherine Wheel |  |
One prepared to undergo great trials for the Christian faith |
| Centaur |   |
Eminence in the field of battle |
| Cerberus |  |
Guardian; Past, present, and future |
| 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; action |
| Chapeau (See also "cap of maintenance") | |
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 |
| Cherry Blossom |  |
Wealth and prosperity; Education; Feminine principle and love; Transcience of life |
| Cherubs & Cherubim |
(See Sample Angels) | Dignity, glory, and honour; missionary; bearer of joyful news |
| Chess Rook |   |
Strategic thinking |
| Chevron |  |
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 |
| Chimera (as described in the Iliad) |  |
Impossible or difficult to believe |
| Chough (Cornish Crow) |  |
Strategist in battle; watchful for friends |
| Chrysanthemum |  |
Abundance, cheerfulness, optimism, truth, hope, rest, friendship |
| Church |
(See Sample Churches) | Religion; faith; community |
| Cinquefoils |   |
Hope and joy |
| Civic 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 |
(See Bell Tower) | Integrity |
| Clouds |  |
Mystery, obscured truth |
| Cock (male bird) |  |
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 |
| Community |     |
Friendship, cooperation, community |
| Compass |   |
Direction |
| Compony or Gobony |  |
Constancy |
| Cornish Chough (crow, raven; See "chough") | Strategist in battle; watchful for friends; divine providence | |
| Cornucopia (horn of plenty) |  |
The bounty of nature's gifts |
| Cottice/Cotice (bendlet) |  |
Scarf or shield suspender of a knight commander; signifies defense or protection |
| Coupeaux |  |
(Hills - usually three) Unknown; may be purely an artistic device |
| Crane (Stork) |   |
Close parental bond; Vigilance if holding a rock |
| Cramp |  |
|
| Crescent |  |
One who has been honored by the sovereign; hope of greater glory (horns to the chief) |
| Cresset (See "Beacon") | One who is watchful, who gave the signal in time of danger | |
| Crosier/shepherd's crook |  |
The shepherd's watchfulness; Christian faith; pastoral authority; also Episcopal jurisdiction and authority |
| Cross |
(See Examples of Crosses) | Faith; Christianity; Service in the Crusades |
| Cross (Celtic) | Unity of heaven and earth | |
| Cross (Constantine's; Labarum) | Good omen; Christ; Christianity | |
| Cross Crosslet | Signifies the fourfold mystery of the cross | |
| Cross Crosslet Fitchee | A combination of cross and sword; unshakeable faith | |
| Cross Flory (Patoncee) |
(cross flowered at each end) One who has conquered | |
| Cross Formee (Pattee) | Military honour | |
| Cross (Maltese) | Blessings; badge of Knights Hospitalier | |
| Cross Moline | The mutual converse of human society (said to represent a millstone) | |
| Cross Raguly | Difficulties encountered | |
| Cross Roucy | Faith | |
| Crossed thighbones (See Bones) | Mortality | |
| Crow (See also "Chough") | Strategist in battle; watchful for friends; divine providence | |
| Crown or Coronet |
(See Examples of Crowns) | Royal or seigniorial authority; prestige |
| Crown (Mural) | (See Examples of Crowns) | Defender of a fortress, token of civic honour; one who first mounted the breach in the walls of a fortress |
| Crown (Naval) | (See Examples of Crowns) | One who first boarded an enemy's ship; distinguished naval commander |
| Crown of thorns | (See Examples of Crowns) | Adversity |
| Cup (often covered) |   |
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 |  |
Regard; Chivalry, sunshine, respect |
| Dagger or dart |  |
Justice and military honour |
| Dahlia |  |
Dignity, elegance, togetherness forever |
| Daisy |  |
Gentleness and innocence |
| Dawle (black quatrefoil) | See "Quatrefoil" | Hope and joy |
| Decrescent |  |
One who has been honored by the sovereign; hope of greater glory (crescent with horns to the sinister) |
| Deer (See also Stag/Hart/Buck) |  |
One who will not fight unless provoked; peace and harmony |
| Dice |  |
Constancy |
| Dill |  |
Irresistible |
| Dog (See also Talbot) |                |
Courage, vigilance, and loyalty |
| Dogwood |  |
Love and adversity |
| Dolphin |   |
Swiftness, diligence, salvation, charity, and love |
| Dove |    |
Loving constancy and peace; the Holy Spirit; with an olive branch in its bill, it signifies a harbinger of good tidings |
| Dragon |
(See Examples of Dragons) | Valiant defender of treasure; valour and protection |
| Drops (Guttees) |  |
One who has endured torrents of liquids,
as in battle, depending upon the color of the liquid. Yellow: gold Blue: tears Green: oil White: water Black: pitch or tar Red: blood |
| Drum |   |
Ready for war |
| Duck (Also Teal) |
  |
Person of many resources |
| Eagle |
(See Examples of Eagles) | Person of noble nature, strength, bravery,
and alertness; 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 with two heads | (See Examples of Eagles) | Conjoining of two forces |
| Edelweiss |  |
Daring and noble courage; purity, immortality |
| Elephant |     |
Great strength, wit, longevity, happiness, royalty, good luck, and ambition |
| Elm |  |
Dignity |
| Enfield |  |
Mythical beast said to have protected fallen chieftains' bodies for proper burial |
| Ermine Spot |  |
Mark of dignity |
| Escallop (scallop shell) |  |
Traveller to far places or victorious naval commander |
| Escarbuncle |  |
Supremacy; brilliant gem |
| Escutcheon or small shield, alone, with no charges |  |
Defense |
Escutcheon of Pretence (Small shield in center of primary shield, as shown above.) |
Claim of a prince to sovereignty; or marriage to an heiress of the family | |
| Estoile (star with six wavy points) |  |
Celestial goodness; noble person |
| Eye |    |
Providence in government |
| Falcon (Hawk) | (See Examples of Falcons) | One who does not rest until objective achieved |
| Fasces |  |
A bundle or rods tied together around an axe, with the blade projecting out; 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 and serenity |
| Fer de moline (See millrind) |
Center of the millstone, by which it is turned | |
| Fern |  |
Magic, fascination, confidence, shelter |
| Fess/Fesse |  |
Military belt or girdle of honour; represents readiness to serve the public |
| Fetterlock |  |
Victory; one who has taken prisoners or rescued prisoners of war |
| Fife |  |
Ready for war |
| Fig leaf |  |
Peace and plenty |
| Finger, pointing | Direction; correct route | |
| Fire/Fire-fighting |
  |
Zealousness |
| Fish |   |
A true, generous mind; virtuous for himself, not because of his heritage; also unity with Christ, spiritual nourishment |
| Flag or Pennant |  |
Refers to special action in which bearer was captured, or a reward for valiant service |
| Flanchi/flasque/flanches (Also flaunches) |
 |
Given by a king for virtue and learning |
| Fleece (lamb's) |   |
Ancient honour from the knightly order of the Fleece of Gold |
| Fleur-de-lis | (See Examples of Fleurs-de-lis) | Purity; light; floral badge of France; represents sixth son as mark of difference |
| Flint stone |  |
Readiness for zealous service |
| Flowers (See specific flowers) | Hope and joy | |
| Fountain |   |
Usually a roundle, crossed with wavy bars of blue and white; represents water, 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 |
| 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 |
| Garlic |  |
Protection, strength and courage |
| Gauntlet |  |
Armed for the performance of martial enterprise |
| Gavel |  |
Justice; legal authority |
| Gem or Jewel |  |
Supremacy |
| Geranium |  |
True friendship |
| Gillyflower (tawney quatrefoil) |  |
Hope and joy |
| Ginseng |  |
Passion, prosperity, permanence, health |
| Globe |            |
Worldliness; world travel |
| Goat |    |
One who wins through politics rather than war |
| Gobony or Gobbony (See Compony) | Constancy | |
| Goose |   |
Resourcefulness |
| Gorged (around neck) |  |
High dignity |
| Grape leaves | Plenty, freedom, rebirth | |
| Grapes |  |
Liberality, felicity, and peace; also, association with wine-making and abundance |
| Grasshopper |  |
Noble and home-bred |
| Grenade |  |
One who has dared the terror of such a weapon in battle |
| Greyhound |  |
Courage, vigilance, and loyalty |
| Griffin | See Examples of Griffins | (Head, wings, and talons of an eagle with the body of a lion); Valour and death-defying bravery; vigilance; Guardian of treasure |
| Gyronny |  |
Unity (six- or eight-part division of the shield) |
| Hammer |    |
Honour; emblem of the smith's trade |
| Hand |           |
Pledge of faith, sincerity, and justice; two right hands conjoined represent union and alliance |
| Hand, red |  |
Mark of a baronet |
| Hare (see Rabbit) | 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) - See Stag/Buck | Peace and harmony | |
| Hawk (Falcon) | (See Examples of Falcons/Hawks) | One who does not rest until objective achieved |
| Hawks' lures: |  |
One who is fond of the highest pursuits, such as hunting and falconry |
| Hazel branch or leaves |  |
Hope and joy; Communication, reconciliation and peace |
| 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 |
| Hedgehog |  |
"Provident provider" acc. to Sloane Evans |
| Heliotrope |  |
Pleasure; Eternal love & devotion |
| Helmet | (See Examples of Helmets) | When depicted on the shield, denotes wisdom and security in defense; strength, protection, invulnerability |
| Hibiscus |  |
Delicate beauty |
| Hind (female deer) |   |
Peace and harmony |
| Holly |   |
Truth; Foresight and defense |
| Horns | Strength and fortitude | |
| Horse (See also Seahorse) |
See Sample Horses | Readiness for all employments for king and country |
| Horseshoe |  |
Good luck and safeguard against evil spirits |
| Hourglass |   |
Flight of time; mortality |
| Housemark |  (example) |
Presumably adopted by the bearers as forms of unique identification of European homes |
| Huitfoil (double quatrefoil) |
 |
Mark of cadency for the ninth son |
| Human Head | |
Honour (if the head of a Blackamoor, it refers to deeds of prowess in the Crusades) |
| Humettee |  |
Describes an element that does not touch the sides of the shield |
| Hunting Horn |  |
One who is fond of the chase, of high pursuits |
| Hyacinth |  |
Games, Sports, Playfulness |
| Hydra (dragon with seven heads) |  |
Conquest of a very powerful enemy |
Ichthus (Greek for "Fish") |
 |
Belief in Jesus Christ, Son of God and Savior |
| Increscent/Increment |  |
One who has been honored by the sovereign; hope of greater glory (crescent with horns to the dexter) |
Inescutcheon (See "Escutcheon of Pretence") |
||
| Infinity Symbol |  |
Infinity |
| Insignia - Marine Corps |  |
|
| Insignia - Naval Academy |  |
|
| Ivy Leaves |  |
Strong and lasting friendship |
| Inkhorn or Inkwell |   |
Art of writing and educated employment |
| Iris |  |
Faith, wisdom, friendship, hope, valour |
| Jaguar |  |
Power, ferosity, and valor; the power to face one’s fears. |
| Jasmine |  |
Attachment |
| Jessamine (white quatrefoil) | See "Quatrefoil" | Hope and joy |
| 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) |  |
Good omen; Christianity |
| Label |  |
Indicates first-born. See Marks of Cadency |
| Ladder (Scaling Ladder) |  |
One who was fearless in attacking; if against a tower, be on guard against spiritual and corporeal enemies |
| Lamb or Ewe |   |
Gentleness and patience under suffering |
| Lamb carrying staff or banner with a cross (paschal lamb) |
 |
Faith; innocence, bravery, gentleness, purity, resolute spirit |
| Lamp/Lantern (See also "Candle") |
   |
Light, life, and spirituality |
| Lance or Javelin |  |
The perfection of martial affairs; emblem of knightly service; devotion to honour |
| Laurel Leaves |   |
Peace and/or triumph; success, renown, glory and victory |
| Lavender |  |
Constancy and loyalty |
| Leg |  |
Strength, stability, and expedition |
| Lemur |  |
|
| Leopard or Ounce |    |
Valiant and hardy warrior who enterprises hazardous things by force and courage |
| 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 |
| Lightning Bolt |  |
Swiftness and power |
| Lilac |  |
Beauty, pride, youth, innocence |
| Lily |  |
Purity; see "Fleur-de-lis" |
| Linden branch or leaves |   |
Life, vitality, energy, resurrection |
| Lion |
(See Sample Lions) | Dauntless courage |
| Lion, heraldic |  (See Sample Lions) |
Bravery, strength, ferocity, and valour |
| Lotus |   |
Mystery and truth; perfection, purity |
| Lozenge or Lozengy |
 |
Honesty & Constancy |
| Lunel (Four crescent moons facing each other) |  |
One who has been honored by the sovereign; hope of greater glory |
| Lupine |  |
Imagination |
| Lure (hawk's) | |
One who is fond of the highest pursuits, such as hunting and falconry |
| Lymphad (See also Ship) |  |
See Ship |
| Lyre |  |
Contemplation; tempered judgment |
| Man | Various meanings | |
| Magnolia |  |
Nobility, perseverance, love of nature |
| Maple leaf |  |
Gift-giving; bestowing honor |
| Marigold |  |
Devotion and piety; Splendid beauty and sweetness |
| 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) |
 |
Persuasiveness |
| Masonic Square |  |
|
| Mastiff |  |
Courage, vigilance, and loyalty |
| Matches |  |
(Usually 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 (or millstone) |
 |
The mutual converse of human society; miller's tool |
| Mint |  |
Virtue; Warm feelings |
| Mitre (See Bishop's Mitre for more images) |  |
Authority |
| Mole |  |
Unknown |
| Monkey |    |
Unknown |
| Moon |    |
Serene power over mundane actions |
| Moor/Saracen/Turk |  |
Dates back to the Middle Ages when it was considered an honor to take a Moor's head |
| Moor fowl or Moor-cock |  |
Association with the law or the legal profession |
| Mortar Piece | One who has dared the terror of such a weapon in battle | |
| Morning Glory |  |
Affection |
| Mount/Mound (See "Coupeaux") |
 |
(Rounded terrace at base of the shield) Unknown; may be purely an artistic device |
| Mulberries |  |
Liberality, felicity, and peace |
| Mule |  |
Often borne by abbots and abbesses who have pastoral jurisdiction, but not real jurisdiction |
| Mullet (Star) |
 |
Divine quality from above; mark of third son |
| Musical Pipes |  |
Festivity and rejoicing |
| Myrtle |  |
Love, mirth and joy |
| Nettle Leaf |  |
"Sting of death" to all foes; pride, vanity |
| Oak Garb or Sheaf |  |
The harvest of one's hopes has been secured |
| Oak Tree, Leaves, Bush |  |
Great age and strength; Heroism and victory |
| Oak Tree/Bush with Acorns |  |
Continuous growth and fertility |
| Olive Branch or Leaves |  |
Peace and concordance; reconciliation |
| Orange Blossom |  |
Marriage and fecundity; Virginity and innocence |
| Orchid |  |
Magnificence |
| Orle |
(example with roses) |
Circle of something; Preservation or protection |
| Ostrich/Ostrich plumes |   |
Willing obedience and serenity |
| Otter |   |
One who lives life to the fullest |
| Owl | (See Examples of Owls) | One who is vigilant and of acute wit |
| Ox |  |
Valour and generosity |
| Pale/Palet/Pallet/Paly |
 |
Military strength |
| Palm Branch |  |
Victory, justice, and royal honour; conquest, success and peace |
| Palm Tree |  |
Righteousness and resurrection; victory; creative power and peace |
| Pansy |  |
Thoughtful recollection |
| Panther |   |
Fierce, but tender and loving to children and will defend her children with her life |
| Papal Headdress |  |
Pope's Headdress |
| Parchment/Scroll/Diploma |   |
Possible reference to 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 |
| Peacock Feather |  |
Beauty, power, and knowledge |
| Pear |  |
Felicity and peace |
| Pegasus | See Examples of Pegasus | Poetic genius and inspiration; messenger of God |
| Pelican |  |
Self-sacrifice and charitable nature; When feeding her young ("in her piety"), symbolizes the duties of a parent or parental love |
| Pen |  |
Art of writing and educated employment |
| Pennon or Flag | |
Refers to some special action in which it was captured or as a reward for gallant service |
| Peony |  |
Healing |
| Periwinkle (blue quatrefoil) | See "Quatrefoil" | Hope and joy |
| Petunia |  |
Soothing presence |
| Pheasant |   |
Person of many resources |
| Pheon (Spear-head) |  |
Dexterity and nimble wit; readiness for battle |
| Phoenix |      |
Symbol of resurrection |
| Pig |  |
Fertility |
| Pike (Fish) (See also Spear) |  |
A true, generous mind; virtuous for himself, not because of his heritage; also unity with Christ, spiritual nourishment. |
| Pile |  |
Represents large pieces of wood used in building bridges; engineering skills, builder; May represent a pennon or flag |
| Pilgrim's Stave/Staff Palmer's Stave/Staff |
|
The shepherd's watchfulness; Christian faith; pastoral authority; also may refer to early pilgrimages to Jerusalem |
| Pillar (See Column) | Fortitude and constancy; with serpent coiled around it, wisdom with fortitude | |
| Pincers |  |
Honour; emblem of the smith's trade |
| Pine |  |
Death and eternal life thereafter |
| Pine Cone |  |
Life |
| Pineapple |  |
|
| Pipes (See Musical Pipes) | Festivity and rejoicing | |
| Pitcher |  |
Office of service |
| Plant |  |
Hope and joy |
| Plow or 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 |
| Poinsettia |  |
Purity; Christmas |
| Pomegranate Fruit |  |
Fertility and abundance; prosperity |
| Poplar leaf |  |
Hope and joy |
| Poppy (sanguine quatrefoil) |  |
Hope and joy; Imagination and dreaminess |
| Portcullis (Castle Gate) |  |
Protection in an emergency |
| Primrose (Cowslip) |  |
Innocence and youth; young love |
| Proboscides |  |
Elephant trunks; usually represented in pairs; the elephant symbolizes longevity, strength, royalty, dignity, patience, wisdom, happiness, and good luck |
| Pussy Willow |  |
Motherhood |
| Quatrefoil (Primrose) |  |
Brings good tidings |
| Rabbit (Conie) |   |
One who enjoys a peaceable and retired life |
| Rainbow |  |
Good times after bad |
| Ram |    |
Authority |
| Raspberries |  |
|
| Rat |  |
Unknown |
| Ratch-hound (small hound) |  |
Loyalty, courage, and vigilance |
| Raven |   |
Divine providence |
| Ray or Rayonnee |  |
Glory and spendour; fountain of life; intelligence and enlightenment |
| Rhinoceros |   |
Ferocious when aroused |
| Rhododendron |  |
Caution and wariness |
| Rock |  |
Safety and protection; refuge |
| Rose |       |
Mark of the seventh son; Hope and joy; see also meanings for specific colors of roses |
| Rose, Red |  |
Grace and beauty; Love and desire |
| Rose, White |  |
Love and faith; Charm and innnocence |
| Rose, Yellow |  |
Infidelity and jealousy |
| Rosemary |  |
Enduring love and remembrance; constancy, fidelity and loyalty |
| Roundles | |
Gold or yellow: bezants 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) |
| Rye |  |
|
| Sabre (See Sword) | Justice and/or military honour | |
| Saddle |    |
Preparedness for active service |
| Sage |  |
Wisdom, long life, esteem |
| Salamander |  |
Protection |
| Salmon (See Fish) |  |
|
| Saltire |  |
(St. Andrew's Cross) Resolution |
| Savage/Saracen |    |
Believed to be related to service in the Crusades |
| Scales |  |
Justice |
| Scallop Shell (See Escallop) | See "Escallop" | |
| Scroll (See Parchment or Diploma) | ||
| Sceptre |   |
The emblem of justice |
| Scythe or Sickle |   |
The hope of a fruitful harvest |
| Sea Horse/ Sea Dragon |    |
Power of the water |
| Seal/Sea lion |  |
Dauntless courage at sea |
| Seaweed |  |
Purity and leadership |
| Seraphim |  |
(Angel with three pairs of wings) Dignity, glory, and honour; missionary; bearer of joyful news |
| Serpent/Snake/Lizard |      |
Wisdom |
| Shacklebolt | |
Victory; one who has taken prisoners or rescued prisoners of war |
| Shamrock |   |
Perpetuity; floral device of Ireland; also see Trefoil. |
| Shield |  |
When borne on the arms, represents the defender |
| Ship |         |
Ancient sea voyages |
| Ship, Dismasted |  |
Disaster at sea |
| Shofar |   |
Reminds us of the admonitions of the prophets and their calls to repentance |
| Shutle (Weaver's Shuttle) |  |
Reference to the bearer's profession; i.e., textiles |
| Skull |  |
Mortality |
| Snail |  |
Deliberation and perseverance |
| Snake (See Serpent) | Wisdom (see also Serpent) | |
| Snapdragon |  |
Graciousness and strength |
| Spear/Pike |    |
Honourable warrior; valiant knight |
| Spear-head (See Pheon) | Dexterity and nimble wit; readiness for battle | |
| Sphere |   |
Geographical or scientific reference |
| Sphinx |  |
Omniscience and secrecy |
| Spider |  |
Wisdom, labour, and prudence |
| Spur or Spur Rowel |   |
Preparedness for active service; pressing onward |
| Square Symbols |  |
Constancy |
| Squirrel |  |
Lover of the woods |
| Stag (Also Reindeer) |
   |
One who will not fight unless provoked; peace and harmony |
| Stag's Antlers | |
Strength and fortitude |
| Star (estoile or mullet) |       |
Celestial goodness; noble person; Excellence |
| Steel | Readiness for zealous service | |
| Stirrup |  |
Preparedness for active service |
| Stool |  |
Hospitality |
| Stork |   |
Filial duty; close parental bond; If holding a rock, symbolizes vigilance |
| Sun |     |
Glory and splendour; fountain of life |
| Sunflower |  |
Homage and devotion |
| 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 |
| Sword/Dagger/Dart Sabre/Cutlass/Scimitar |
|
Justice and military honour |
| Table |  |
Hospitality |
| Tabor (snare drum) |  |
Festivity and rejoicing; dangerous if aroused |
| Talbot (hunting dog) (See also Dog) |  |
Courage, vigilance, and loyalty |
| Tent |  |
Readiness for battle |
| Terrace |  |
Unknown; May be purely an artistic device |
| Thistle |  |
Defiance and surliness |
| Thorn Leaf |  |
Irritation; nuisance |
| Thyme |  |
Bravery, courage and strength |
| Tiger |       |
Fierceness and valour; resentment; dangerous if aroused |
| Tiger Lily |  |
Wealth and pride |
| Torch |      |
Life; zealousness; engaging in signal service; truth and intelligence |
| Tortoise |  |
Invulnerability to attack |
| Tower |     |
Safety and grandeur |
| Tree Trunk/Stump/Branch |   |
New life sprouting from the old |
| Tree |        |
Life and the mystical connection of the earth with heaven and the underworld |
| Tree of Life (Knowledge) |  |
|
| Trefoil or Shamrock (three-leaved grass) |
 |
Perpetuity |
| Tressure |  |
Preservation or protection (prominent in the arms of Scotland) |
| Tressure Flory Counterflory |  |
Signifies the close and longterm alliance between France and Scotland |
| Trestle |  |
Hospitality |
| Trident |   |
Maritime dominion |
| Trumpet |  |
Ready for war |
| Tulip |  |
Imagination and dreaminess; Fame and perfect love |
| 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 |
