Design your personal coat of arms: Select a shape for your shield. You will put your "motto for life" at the bottom or the top of the shield. Here are some examples, but you will find more on page 3 of this document: 1. Divide the shield into three or four parts. In each part you will symbolically depict one of the following: 1. Your greatest success 2. What you value most 3. Your highest goal in life 4. Your goal for humankind 5. Your family’s importance/Your position in your family 6. Something else (that is important to you) of your choosing 2. Use a piece of construction paper to display your coat of arms. Neatness, presentation, and creativity count. 3. Attach a one–paragraph explanation for each of the three or four sections symbolically depicted on the shield, and explain in one additional paragraph why you chose your "motto for life." These four/five paragraphs must be typed and edited. USE YOUR IMAGINATION AND HAVE FUN! Rubric Elements Your Coat of Arms includes: • includes your "motto for life" and images that symbolically depict your greatest successes, goals, etc. (25 points) • shows neatness, presentation (10 points) • shows creativity (25 points) • contains powerful explanations for each of the elements (25 points) • contains clarity and correctness of language (15 points) 1 Choosing the charges on your shield: A charge is what is shown on the base color of your shield. Animals were frequently used as a main charge. Animals were shown in certain traditional postures, which were not meant to be realistic pictures of the animals. They were not drawn to look three dimensional, but were shown as if they were flat, and with the most characteristic parts of them the most obvious. The pictures were to represent the animal as a symbol. Generally the animals chosen were fierce, and they were often shown in postures of combat. Whatever their main color, fierce animals were often shown with red tongue and claws. Small details on a charge do not have to follow the metal/color rule. A gold griffin can have red claws on a blue field. There were also names for the positions in which the animals were shown. Here are some of the most common. rampant – standing on hind legs rampant guardant – standing on hind legs, face turned toward viewer passant – walking couchant – lying down sejant – sitting The dragon and griffin, of course, are mythological animals. They often combine characteristics believed to be found in more than one animal. The griffin was part eagle, part lion. Since the animals were symbols of qualities, such combination animals were meant to indicate a combination of those qualities. A common design on a shield was a pun on the family (last) name. The coat of arms for "Wheatley" has sheaves of wheat on the shield. Some other shields showed allegiance to one side in a dispute by putting its symbol on their shields. The cross on a coat of arms often meant that the original bearer had been to the Crusades. A cross used on a shield was always taken very seriously. There are many forms of the cross. Another common design was a symbol depecting the bearer’s birth order: label crescent molet martlet annulet eldest child second child third child fourth child fifth child fleur– de– lis rose cross moline octofoil or sixth child seventh child eighth child double–quatrefoil ninth child 2 Ordinaries (see examples above) orle tressure Chief – Dominion and authority. Cross – Chevron – Protection. Fess – Military belt or girdle of honor. Orle or Tressure – Preservation or protection. Colors and Metals Or (yellow or gold) – Generosity and elevation of the mind Argent (white or silver) – Peace and sincerity Sable (black) – Constancy, sometimes grief Azure (blue) – Loyalty and truth Gules (red) – Military fortitude and generosity of spirit Vert (green) – Hope, joy and sometimes loyalty in love Purpure (purple) – Royal majesty, sovereignty and justice Tenne (tawny: orangish– brown) – Worthy ambition Murray (sanguine: maroon) – Patient in battle, and yet victorious 3 Common Charges For more, please also check http://www.library.nd.edu/rarebooks/digital_projects/heraldry/ Or http://www.theweebsite.com/heraldry/ Acacia Branch or Leaves Eternal and affectionate remembrance Acorn Antiquity and strength. Labouring in the earth and depending upon providence; see also Agricultural Tools Scythe and Sickle 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 Angels Dignity, glory, and honour; missionary; bearer of joyful news Annulet (finger ring) Fidelity Ant Great labour, wisdom, and providence in one's affairs 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 Antelope (heraldic) on one side) Antlers Strength and fortitude Anvil Honour; emblem of the smith's trade Apple Liberality, felicity, and peace Arm in Armour A person with qualities of leadership Arm, Naked An industrious person Readiness (for battle); if depicted with a cross, represents an Arrow or Dart affliction Ass Patience and humility Axe (Also Halbert, Halberd, Hatchet) Execution of military duty Baguette (gem ring) Fidelity 4 Refer to special action in which bearer was captured, or a reward Banners & Banderole for valiant service "One who sets the bar of conscience, religion, and honour Bar, Barry, or Barrulet against angry passions and evil temptations" acc. to Guillim Troubles keep us in continuous exercise and reminders of Barry (Wavy) 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 One who is watchful, who gave the signal in time of danger Beacon (Also Lantern or Lighthouse) Bear Strength, cunning, ferocity in the protection of one's kindred Beaver Industry and perseverance Bee Efficient industry Power to disperse evil spirits; a hawk's bells denotes one who Bells was not afraid of signalling his approach in peace or war Scarf or shield suspender of a knight commander; signifies Bend/Bendy defense or protection Berries Liberality, felicity, and peace Bezant/Byzantine Coin (Also Besant; Gold Roundle) Worthy of trust or treasure. Bricks or letters (correspondence); one who obtained credence, knowledge, and faith in his words and deeds; one who is secret Billet/Billettee in one's affairs. 5 Bishop's Mitre Authority Blasted Tree without leaves, withered Boar Bravery; fights to the death Boar's Head Hospitality Bomb (Mortar piece) One who has dared the terror of such a weapon in battle Bones (crossed thighbones) Mortality Book If open: manifestation; if closed: counsel Bow Readiness (for battle) Bow and Arrow War, power, ability to hit a target Bridge Governor or magistrate Broom Plant Humility Buck One who will not fight unless provoked; peace and harmony Buckle Victorious loyalty Buglass (purple quatrefoil) Hope and joy. Bull/Buffalo Valour, bravery, generosity Bull's Horns Strength and fortitude Butterfly Psyche or Soul Homeopathic medicine; medical profession; balance and the Caduceus union of opposing forces Caltrap An expert in defense Candle (Lamp) Light, life, and spirituality. Camel Docility, patience, and perseverance Cannon One who has dared the terror of such a weapon in battle 6 Candle (Lamp) Light, life, and spirituality As in a flag borne at the top corner of the shield; reward from the Canton sovereign for performance of eminent service Carnation Admiration Carpenter's Square Conforming one's actions to the laws of right and equity Castle (Tower/Chateau) Safety Liberty, vigilance, forecast, and courage Cat (Also Wildcat or Lynx) Catherine Wheel One prepared to undergo great trials for the Christian faith Centaur Eminence in the field of battle Reward for acceptable and weighty service; with crowns and collars, this suggests the bearer bore the chain of obligation or Chains obliged others because of services done Usually with green leaves and four roses: the crown of joy and Chaplet (Floral) admiration Chequy Constancy Cherubs & Cherubim Dignity, glory, and honour; missionary; bearer of joyful news Chess Rook Strategic thinking Protection; Builders or others who have accomplished some work Chevron of faithful service Top one-third of the shield; signifies dominion and authority; often granted as a special reward for prudence and wisdom or Chief successful command in war Chough (Cornish Crow) Strategist in battle; watchful for friends Church Religion; faith; community 7 Cinquefoils Hope and joy Civic Wreath (of oak leaves and One who saved a fellow citizen's life or shown patriotism in acorns) defense of one's native land Clarion Ready for war Claw of a Bird Note the preyer that has been preyed upon Clouds Mystery, obscured truth Cock (male bird) Courage and perseverance; hero; able man in politics Cockatrice (small serpent) Terror to all beholders Fortitude and constancy; with serpent coiled around it, wisdom Column with fortitude Comet A disruption of the status quo Compass Direction Cornucopia (horn of plenty) A bounty of nature's gifts Scarf or shield suspender of a knight commander; signifies Cottice/Cotice (bendlet) defense or protection Crane (Stork) Close parental bond; Vigilance if holding a rock One who has been honored by the sovereign; hope of greater Crescent glory (horns to the chief) The shepherd's