coat of arms
noun /ˌkəʊt əv ˈɑːmz/
/ˌkəʊt əv ˈɑːrmz/
(plural coats of arms)
(also arms)
- a design or a shield that is a special symbol of a family, city or other organization
- the royal coat of arms
Culture heraldryheraldryHeraldry is the design and study of coats of arms. Many British upper-class families, as well as thousands of public institutions such as city councils and universities, have the right to their own coat of arms or shield. This is often printed on writing paper, shown on uniforms and the sides of official vehicles, and put above the door of buildings. The heraldic devices (= designs) that can be used on a coat of arms are controlled by the College of Arms in England, and the Court of the Lord Lyon in Scotland.The origins of heraldry lie in the decorated shields that were carried into battle by medieval knights. The designs painted on these shields were originally a way to identify the person carrying the shield. They then became family emblems which have changed little through the centuries. Sometimes the devices have been changed to combine the coats of arms of two families. A husband may impale his wife's family arms by dividing the shield down the middle from top to bottom and putting his own arms on the dexter side (= the right side for the person holding the shield) and his wife's on the sinister (= left) side.Heraldry uses many technical terms, which mostly come from Old French. The background of a shield is known as the field and its main colour the tincture. The heraldic designs on the field are known as charges. They may include a simple pale (= broad band going from top to bottom) or a fess (= thin band going from left to right), or a more complex device such as an animal, a cross or a castle. Shields are often quartered (= divided into four quarters), with each quarter carrying a different design. On the royal arms, the quarters represent different countries. The first and fourth quarters are gules (= red) and each contains three lions passant (= walking) shown in or (= gold) to represent England. The second quarter contains a red lion rampant (= standing on its back legs), the symbol of Scotland, within a tressure (= border) on a gold background. The third quarter is azure (= blue) and contains a gold harp with strings of argent (= silver) to represent Ireland. Wales is not included because it had its own heraldic device in the arms of the Prince of Wales before the quarterings for Scotland and Ireland were added to the royal arms.In most coats of arms the shield is surrounded by additional decorations, such as a pair of animal or human supporters (for instance, the lion and unicorn on the royal arms), a crown or helmet, and a motto. On the royal arms the motto is Dieu et mon droit, French for 'God and my right'.Many Americans whose families came from Europe try to find their origins and identify their ancestors' coat of arms. They may then use it on objects such as drinking glasses, or hang a drawing of the coat of arms in their house. For many people a coat of arms provides a connection with the past and a way of showing that they are proud of their family.