Coats of Arms have been used for hundreds of years to symbolize a family’s code of honor. It’s no surprise that many coats of arms involve birds. Alerion. This is an eagle without claws or beak – symbolizing someone who was injured in war.
In this post
What does a bird mean on a family crest?
Dove: loving constancy and peace; the Holy Spirit; with an olive branch in its bill, it signifies a harbinger of good tidings. Eagle: person of noble nature, strength, bravery, and alertness; or one who is high-spirited, ingenious, quick-witted, and judicious. If wings are displayed, it signifies protection.
What does a dove mean in heraldry?
peace
Dove. The dove is a symbol of the soul and of the Holy Spirit. It signifies peace, gentleness and purity. In armoury, the dove signifies loving constancy and peace.
What do wings mean in heraldry?
WINGS: Usually borne in pairs on either side of another charge and denote protection. Symbols of peace, flight, freedom and spiritual transport. There are many charges that feature wings which have their own meaning; such as a winged globe as a symbol of the holy spirit.
What does a crow mean in heraldry?
Crows and other corvidae in heraldry (family coats of arms) may represent harshness or avarice. The crow is depicted in heraldry with hairy feathers and is close by default. A crow speaking will have its mouth agape or open as if it were speaking.
What does a duck mean on a coat of arms?
It is also a bird of great courage in battle that will fight, if necessary, to the death. Therefore, in heraldry, it is an emblem of vigilance and courage.
What is a Martlet bird?
A martlet in English heraldry is a mythical bird without feet which never roosts from the moment of its drop-birth until its death fall; martlets are proposed to be continuously on the wing.
What bird symbolizes death?
Ravens and crows are both black birds that act as a symbol of death or mourning.
What does a white bird symbolize?
White birds are symbols of peace, hope, and purity no matter what species. White doves, specifically, can refer to both global or personal peace. White-colored birds can also represent life, death, innocence, and nurturing.
What type of bird represents freedom?
A dove is a common bird used to depict freedom, but it can also symbolize peace, purity, and hope. For Americans, the bird used to depict freedom is the Bald Eagle. But this bird is associated with a multitude of other concepts, including strength, courage, and leadership.
What does the eagle mean in heraldry?
Eagle (heraldry) The eagle is used in heraldry as a charge, as a supporter , and as a crest. Parts of the eagle’s body such as its head, wings or leg are also used as a charge or crest. The eagle symbolized strength, courage, farsightedness and immortality.
What do animals mean in heraldry?
STAG: A very common heraldic animal, often shown “at gaze.” An emblem of one who will fight if provoked. STONE: A symbol of solidity. SUN: Often depicted with a face and termed “in its splendor” it is the emblem of glory. SWAN: The royal bird is the symbol of harmony. SWORD: The age-old emblem of honor in battle.
What does a wolf mean in heraldry?
Though commonly reviled as a livestock predator and man-eater, the wolf was also considered a noble and courageous animal, and frequently appeared on the arms and crests of numerous noble families. It typically symbolised the rewards of perseverance in long sieges or hard industry.
What does a star mean in heraldry?
independence
In the design of modern flags and emblems, the stars (mullets, usually five-pointed) when standing alone often represent concepts like “unity” or “independence”. When arranged in groups, they often enumerate provinces or other components of the nation (such as ethnic groups).
What do ravens symbolize?
Because of its black plumage, croaking call, and diet of carrion, the raven is often associated with loss and ill omen. Yet, its symbolism is complex. As a talking bird, the raven also represents prophecy and insight. Ravens in stories often act as psychopomps, connecting the material world with the world of spirits.
What does a horn mean on a coat of arms?
One of the inanimate charges which are reminiscent of the medieval pastime of hunting, the depiction of the bugle horn or the hunting horn is usually suspended by strings on a shield. This object symbolizes enthusiasm and warrior spirit.
Is there really a bird with no legs?
Swifts have virtually no legs, just tiny toes for clinging to the cliffs and buildings where they nest. They sleep, feed and mate in the air, and never intentionally land on the ground. As they don’t need legs they have adapted not to have them.
Is a martlet a swallow?
The martlet is a small bird, usually depicted without feet and (in some cases) without beak. There is some dispute as to what kind of bird it is. In English heraldry, it is a swallow; in French heraldry, it looks very much like a duckling. In German heraldry, it is said to be a lark.
What Colour is a martlet?
Colour. The red martlet is the most common, but any of the three core colours can be used.
Are birds spiritual messengers?
Birds soar as spiritual messengers between the Earth and the sky. Revered and reflected by Native American cultures on both petroglyphs and modern ceramics, they flutter across objects both functional and decorative.
Does a white dove mean death?
White doves are extremely docile creatures that are often seen as bringers of celestial freedom — moving the souls of our departed loved ones to their final resting place.