Heraldry is a historical science of coat-of-arms. The name came from the word „herald”. Heralds’ task was to identify the coats-of-arms of the participants on tournaments.
Age of living heraldry was between the 11th and the 16th century. It means the period when coats-of-arms were used indeed for identification of a person. For example, the dead were identified by the coats-of-arms on their clothes or armor after a battle. The four basic colors of heraldry are blue, green, red and black. Any other colors appeared after this time. Gold was replaced with yellow and silver was replaced with white on portrayals if there was no possibility to use the metal itself.
Parts of the whole coat-of-arms:
– Shield: its shape was different by ages and countries, mostly with a divided field, this was colored and the charge was placed here too
– Supporters: they are commonly animal figures, but human figure may also appear, standing on the two sides of the shield
– Helmet: it symbolizes the chivalric armor, it is above the shield
– Crest: it made the holder recognizable from afar in the battle, so it has a place in the coat-of-arms
– Motto: lettering/slogan is readable on a floating ribbon under the shield, the language is commonly Latin, but French is frequent also
Lion and eagle are the most favorable animal motifs. Fantasy animals (e.g. unicorn) are used just like real ones. Fleur de lis and rose lead the list of floral motifs. Moon, star and sun are common from nature motifs. The crown above the shield is always open. Multi-divided shields were created by fusions of families or the symbol of a new place was put on it after the conquest.
Heraldry is not only about the past. New coats-of-arms are created nowadays also, for example at a noble nomination. Modern shield usages, e.g. sport clubs, are originated in heraldry also.