Coat of arms: Difference between revisions

A coat of arms or armorial bearings (often just arms for short) is, in European tradition, a set of simple colorful symbols belonging to a particular person and used by him or her in a wide variety of ways. Coats of arms have their origins in the designs used by mediaeval knights to make their armor and shield stand out in battle or tournaments and enable quick recognition by allies or spectators.

The term "coat of arms" or "arms" is frequently applied in two ways: sometimes to indicate a full achievement of arms or heraldic achievement, which includes a variety of elements — usually a crest sitting atop a helmet, itself sitting on a shield; other common elements include supporters holding up the shield and a motto beneath. Other times, coat of arms or "arms" is used to refer simply to the escutcheon (i.e. the shield itself). (Note that the crest is one specific part of a heraldic achievement and that "crest of arms" is a misnomer.)

Ever since the middle ages, the use of arms as a distinguishing mark has necessitated their strict regulation (although today only a few countries continue in this); this has been carried out by heralds and the study of coats of arms is called "heraldry." Please see heraldry for a much fuller account of the history, design, and regulation of coats of arms.

The Japanese equivalent, called kamon (often abbreviated "mon"), are family crests which often date back to the seventh century, and are still actively used in Japan today.

See also

• List of national coats of arms

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