Make a Coat of Arms

Make a Coat of Arms Due September ______.

In medieval times, the armor worn by a knight made it difficult to recognize him during war or tournaments. As a result, knights began to decorate their shields in distinctive ways to identify themselves, their families, or their communities. This practice is known as heraldry, after the heralds (think of a medieval sports announcer) who identified the knight by his shield. When the shield was drawn on a coat of arms (a sort of cloak worn by a knight) a motto was added above or below the shield. For more information go to: http://www.digiserve.com/heraldry/ information and ideas http://clipart.lordkyl.net/ graphics http://www.nwlink.com/~badger/clipart.html graphics

Making the Shield Directions: Use the information on the pages that follow to create your own shield that represents you.

Color is important on a shield. So is the placement of the various symbols and other markings you choose to include. A good idea is to draw a rough draft of your shield before you make your final copy.

 Decide what colors you will use. The colors should tell about what kind of person you are.

 Decide what design/ordinary you will use. The design of your shield should also tell about what kind of person you are. (ie. Chevron)

 Choose the mark of cadency that tells the order in which you were born in your family.

 Use symbols which represent your characteristics (personality). (You must have at least one)

 Also, choose symbols which you consider part of your virtues/beliefs (goodness /faith. (You must have a least one) Choose wisely to avoid clutter.

 Have a motto, which can be a single word or a phrase below or above your shield.

The Essay  Finally, on a separate sheet of paper, write an explanation (in essay format) for the reasons you chose the colors, motto, design, and symbols. Be sure to give the meaning of each and then explain how they connect to you. Use examples. Example: “For my shield, I chose the color blue which means truth and loyalty. This describes me perfectly because my friends trust me with their secrets and know that I honor their privacy. I would never betray them even if I felt they had wronged me…” Examples of symbols, colors, and metals follow. You may go online to get more ideas for symbols and designs. Be sure to make your own design.

Colors and Metals (Do not mix two metals) (use any combination of colors you wish) Gold - Generosity.

White or Silver - Peace and sincerity.

Black - Constancy, sometimes grief.

Blue - Loyalty and truth.

Red (bright red) – Brave and strong

Green - Hope, joy and sometimes loyalty in love.

Purple - Royal majesty, administration and justice.

Orange - Worthy ambition.

Designs/Ordinaries (see handout examples) Choose one design

Chief - Dominion and authority.

Cross - Chevron - Protection.

Fess - Military belt or girdle of honor.

Bar - For "one who sets the bar of conscience, religion and honor against angry passions.

Pale - Military strength and fortitude (determination).

Canton - Bearing of honor. When borne charged, it often contains some special symbols granted by the sovereign in reward for the performance of eminent service.

Quarter - Bearing of honor..

Bend - Defense or protection.

Orle or Tressure - Preservation or protection.

Voiders - Given to gentlewomen who have deserved highly.

Gyron - Unity.

Symbols/Common Charges (see handout examples) Choose 2

Lion - Courage.

Tiger - Great fierceness and valor when enraged to combat; one whose resentment will be dangerous if aroused.

Bear - Fierceness in the protection of family. Wolf - One whom it is dangerous to attack or stop.

Elephant - Courage and strength.

Panther - A beautiful woman, which, though fierce, is very tender and loving to her young, and will defend it with the risk of her life.

Lamb - Gentleness and patience under suffering.

Hares and Rabbits - One who enjoys a peaceable life.

Beaver - Business and perseverance.

Fox - One who will use wit or wisdom in his own defense.

Camel - Obedience, patience and untiring determination.

Falcon or Hawk - One eager or hot in the pursuit of an object much desired.

Owl - One who is vigilant and of acute wit.

Pelican - Devoted and self-sacrificing charity.

Swan - A lover of poetry and harmony.

Dove - Loving constancy and peace.

Dolphin - Charity and a kind affection towards children.

Unicorn - Extreme courage.

Stag, Hart, Buck and Deer - Guidelines, Peace and Harmony.

Horns and Antlers - Strength and guts.

Heart - Charity, sincerity.

Scepter - Justice.

Cubes, squares or dice - Reliability, wisdom, truth, goodness, and fairness.

Pillar or Column - Strength and firmness.

Snake - Wisdom.

Crosses - Symbolic of Christian experience or attitude.

Moon - Peaceful power over everyday actions.

Rocks - Safety, refuge and protection. Portcullis - Effective protection in an emergency.

Sword - Indicates the bearer to a just and generous pursuit of honor and virtue in warlike deeds.

Horse Shoe - Good luck.

Wheel - Fortune.

****************************************************************************** Marks of Cadency Also known as "Differences"

Birth Order - Choose 1 to show your place in your family

Name______Grading Rubric

4pts______Shield design and colors 2pts______2 or more symbols 1pt______1 Birth order symbol 2pt______1 Motto on the banner 7pts______Neatness: coloring, shield appearance, legibility, used black ink, no pencil, tape, or glue 4pts______Essay defines shield design and explains the connection to your character/beliefs 8pts______Essay defines both colors and uses anecdotes to explain the connections 8pts______Essay defines each symbol and uses anecdotes to explain the connections 2pts______Essay defines cadency mark and writes about family 2pts______Essay states motto and explains why this means so much to you 2pts______Conclusion explains what you thought of this project. 2pts______Used Proper MLA formatting ______/44

Name______Grading Rubric

4pts______Shield design and colors 2pts______2 or more symbols 1pt______1 Birth order symbol 2pt______1 Motto on the banner 7pts______Neatness of coloring, shield appearance, legibility, used black ink, no pencil, tape, or glue 4pts______Essay defines shield design and explains each connection to your character/beliefs 8pts______Essay defines both colors and uses anecdotes to explain the connections 8pts______Essay defines each symbol and uses anecdotes to explain the connections 2pts______Essay defines cadency mark and writes about family 2pts______Essay states motto and explains why this means so much to you 2pts______Conclusion explains what you thought of this project. 2pts______Used Proper MLA formatting ______/44