Meaning of Heraldic Symbols in Coats of Arms

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Have you ever wondered what the symbols on your coat of arms mean? You are not alone. It’s a question we are asked often. The unfortunate truth is that in the vast majority of cases, we simply do not know.

However, this has not stopped historians from trying to develop “educated guesses” by examining the topic through the lens of the cultures and religions that pre-dated and influenced medieval Europeans, such the Judea-Christian, Greco-Roman, and Egyptian traditions.

Further, other clues can be deduced from the coat of arms in some instances.

We will begin by discussing five common heraldic symbols and their possible meanings, followed by a discussion of some other topics that will help one deduce facts and meaning from the symbols on their coats of arms.