Alerion - Signifies one who having been maimed and lamed in war, was thus prevented from fully asserting his power.
Anchor - Succor in extremity and the Christian symbol of hope.
Angels, Cherubs and Seraphs - Dignity, glory and honor.
Annulet or Finger Ring - Fidelity.
Ant - Symbolizes a man of great labor, wisdom and providence.
Arm - A laborious and industrious person.
Arrows and Arrowheads - Martial readiness.
Axe - Execution of military duty.
Beacons or Cressets - One who is watchful for the commonwealth or who gave the signal in time of danger.
Bear - Ferocity in the protection of kindred.
Beaver - Industry and perseverance.
Bee - Well-governed industry.
Billets - Their first bearer was a man who obtained credence, knowledge and faith in his words and deeds, and who was secret in his affairs.
Blackamoor Head - Deeds of prowess in the Crusades.
Boar - A fierce combatant when at bay, and ceases fighting only with its life, and therefore may be properly applied as the armorial bearing of a warrior.
Bridge - Signifies a governor or magistrate.
Buckles - Victorious fidelity in authority.
Bull or Ox - Valor and magnanimity.
Camel - Docility, patience and indefatigable perseverance.
Cannon, Mortars, Cannon Balls and Grenades - Well bestowed on those who have dared their terrors in sieges and battles.
Cat or Cat-A-Mountain - Liberty, vigilance, forecast and courage.
Catharine Wheel - Emblem of one who is prepared to undergo great trials for the Christian faith.
Centaur - For those who have been eminent in the field.
Chains - A reward for acceptable or weighty service.
Clarion or Rest - Same as Trumpet.
Cock - Courage, always ready for battle, ready to fight to the death.
Cockatrice - Terror to all beholders.
Cornucopia - Bounty of Nature's gifts.
Crescent - Signifies one who has been enlightened and honored by the gracious aspect of his sovereign.
Crossed Thigh-bones - Mortality.
Crosses - Symbolic of some Christian experience or sentiment.
Crow - Signifies a settled habitation and a quiet life.
Crown - Royal or seigniorial authority.
Celestial Crown - Heavenly reward.
Chaplets and Wreaths - Granted for special service.
Cubes, squares or dice - Constancy, wisdom, verity probity, and equity.
Cushions - Marks of authority.
Dolphin - Charity and a kind affection towards children.
Double Eagle and Eagle - Signifies a man of action, ever more occupied in high and eighty affairs, and one of lofty spirit, ingenious, speedy in apprehension and judicious in matters of ambiguity.
Dove - Loving constancy and peace.
Dragon - A most valiant defender of treasure.
Elephant - Courage and strength.
Escallop Shell - One who has made long journeys or voyages to far countries, who had borne considerable naval command or who had gained great victories.
Escarbuncle - Supremacy.
Estoiles - Emblems of God's goodness or of some eminence in the first bearer above the ruder sort of men.
Eye - Providence in Government.
Falcon or Hawk - One eager or hot in the pursuit of an object much desired.
Feathers (usually ostrich) - Willing obedience and serenity.
Fire - Zeal.
Foot - Same as leg.
Fox - One who will use all that he may posses of sagacity, wit or wisdom in his own defense.
Fret - Persuasion
Fusil - Travel and labor.
Fusil of Yarn - Negotiation.
Gannet - To subsist by the wings of his virtue and merit, having little land to rest upon.
Gauntlet - Signify a man armed for the performance of martial enterprise.
Goat - Emblem of that martial man who wins a victory by the employment rather of policy than valor.
Gold Roundles - One who has been found worthy of trust and treasure.
Gold Spur - Dignity of knighthood.
Goose and Duck - A man of many resources.
Grasshopper - Wisdom and nobility.
Griffin - Sets forth the property of a valorous soldier whose magnanimity is such that he will dare all dangers, and even death itself, rather than become captive.
Hand - Faith, sincerity and justice.
Red Hand - Usual mark for a baronet if borne on a small escutcheon.
Hares and Rabbits - One who enjoys a peaceable and retired life.
Harp - Contemplation.
Harpy - Ferocity under provocation.
Hawks or Falcons Bells - One who feared not to signal his approach in either peace or war.
Heart - Charity, sincerity.
Flaming Heart - Ardent affection.
Next: More Common Charges
- Colors and Metals
- Heraldic Lines
- Ordinaries
- Common Charges
- More Common Charges
The above symbolisms have been extracted from W. Cecil Wade's The Symbolisms of Heraldry or A Treatise on the Meanings and Derivations of Armorial Bearings, published in London in 1898. The document is in the public domain, and you may copy, print, download or distribute it as you see fit.
Every effort has been made to present this text accurately and cleanly, but no guarantees are made against errors. Neither Melissa Snell nor About may be held liable for any problems you experience with the text version or with any electronic form of this document.
