PBEM:Lands Apart/Heraldry

[top]Treatise on Heraldry

For this game we have attempted to provide basic heraldic devices appropriate for the person, group, or domain concerned. In an effort to keep things simple and user-friendly, we have not gone into any great detail. To help the uninitiated a brief outline is given below to inform just what various colours and devices mean. (This list is not exhaustive).
If you have a special interest in developing a coat of arms during gameplay, for example, to bestow a coat of arms to a knight in reward for service, contact the game masters.

[top]Basic Colors

Color	Meaning
Gold (Or)	Generosity and elevation of the mind.
Silver or White (Argent)	Peace and sincerity.
Red (Gules)	Warrior or martyr; Military strength and magnanimity.
Blue (Azure)	Truth and loyalty.
Green (Vert)	Hope, joy, and loyalty in love.
Black (Sable)	Constancy (or occasionally grief).
Purple (Purpure)	Royal majesty, sovereignty, and justice.
Orange (Tawny or Tenne)	Worthy ambition.
Maroon (Sanguine)	Patient in battle, and yet victorious.

[top]Symbolism of Heraldic Devices: Living Creatures

Emblem	Meaning
Alerion	An eagle displayed (wings spread) but without beak or claws; denoted one who was injured in a war and thus was prevented from fully asserting his power.
Angel	Denotes dignity, glory, virtue and honor; missionary; bearer of joyful intelligence.
Ant	Denotes great labor, wisdom, and providence in one's affairs; diligence and industriousness.
Arm (bare)	Signifies a laborious and industrious person.
Arm (in armor)	A person with qualities of leadership.
Ass	Patience, peace and humility.
Bear	Strength, cunning, ferocity in the protection of one's kindred.
Beaver	Industry and perseverance.
Bee	Efficient industry.
Boar	Bravery; fights to the death.
Bull	Valor, bravery, generosity.
Cat	Liberty, vigilance, forecast, and courage.
Centaur	Eminence in the field of battle.
Cock	Courage and perseverance; hero; able man in politics.
Cockatrice	Terror to all beholders.
Crow	Strategist in battle; watchful for friends; divine providence.
Dog	Courage, vigilance, and loyalty.
Dolphin	Swiftness, diligence, salvation, charity, and love.
Dove	Loving constancy and peace; with an olive branch in its bill, it signifies a harbinger of good tidings.
Dragon	Valiant defender of treasure; valor and protection.
Duck	Person of many resources.
Eagle	Person of noble nature, strength, bravery, and alertness; or one who is high-spirited, ingenious, quick-witted, and judicious; If wings "displayed," it signifies protection.
Falcon (Hawk)	One who does not rest until objective achieved.
Fish	A true, generous mind; virtuous for himself, not because of his heritage.
Fox	One who will use all that he/she may possess of wisdom and wit in his/her own defense.
Gannet	One who has to subsist by virtue and merit.
Goat	One who wins through politics rather than war.
Grasshopper	Noble and home-bred.
Griffon	Valor and death-defying bravery; vigilance.
Hare	One who enjoys a peaceable and retired life.
Harpy	Ferocity under provocation.
Horse	Readiness for all employments for king and country.
Hydra	Conquest of a very powerful enemy.
Lamb	Gentleness and patience under suffering.
Lion	Bravery, courage, strength, ferocity, and valor.
Mermaid	Eloquence.
Otter	One who lives life to the fullest.
Owl	One who is vigilant and of acute wit.
Ox	Valor and generosity.
Panther	Fierce, but tender and loving to children and will defend her children with her life.
Peacock	Beauty, power, and knowledge.
Pegasus	Poetic genius and inspiration.
Pelican	Self-sacrifice and charitable nature.
Ram	Authority.
Raven	Divine providence.
Sea	Horse Power of the water.
Seal / Sea Lion	Dauntless courage at sea.
Snake	Wisdom.
Spider	Wisdom, labour, and prudence.
Squirrel	Lover of the woods.
Stag	One who will not fight unless provoked; peace and harmony.
Swallow	One who is prompt and ready in doing business; also bringer of good news.
Swan	Poetic harmony and learning, or lover thereof; light, love, grace, sincerity, perfection.
Tiger	Fierceness and valour; resentment; dangerous if aroused.
Tortoise	Invulnerability to attack.
Unicorn	Extreme courage; virtue and strength.
Wolf	Reward from perseverance in long sieges and/or hard industry.
Wren	Freedom.
Wyvern	Valour and protection.

[top]Symbolism of Heraldic Devices: Inanimate Objects

Emblem	Meaning
Acorn	Antiquity and strength.
Agricultural Tools	Laboring in the earth and depending upon providence.
Anchor	Hope; religious steadfastness.
Antlers	Strength and fortitude.
Arrow	Readiness (for battle); if depicted with a cross, represents an affliction.
Axe	Execution of military duty.
Beacon	One who is watchful, who gave the signal in time of danger.
Bells	Power to disperse evil spirits; a hawk's bells denotes one who was not afraid of signaling his approach in peace or war.
Bones (crossed thighbones)	Mortality.
Bow	Readiness (for battle).
Bridge	Governor or magistrate.
Candle	Light, life, and spirituality..
Carpenter's Square	Conforming one's actions to the laws of right and equity.
Castle Safety.
Chains	Reward for acceptable and weighty service; with crowns and collars, this suggests the bearer bore the chain of obligation or obliged others because of services done.
Chevron	Protection; Builders or others who have accomplished some work of faithful service.
Civic Wreath	One who saved a fellow citizen's life or shown patriotism in defense of one's native land.
Clarion	Ready for war.
Column	Fortitude and constancy; with serpent coiled around it, wisdom with fortitude.
Cornucopia	The bounty of nature's gifts.
Crescent	One who has been honored by the sovereign; hope of greater glory.
Cross Flory	(cross flowered at each end) One who has conquered.
Cross Formee	Military honor.
Cross Moline	The mutual converse of human society.
Crown	Royal authority.
Dagger	Justice and military honor.
Drum	Ready for war.
Escallop	(Scallop shell). Traveler to far places or victorious naval commander.
Fetterlock	Victory; one who has taken prisoners or rescued prisoners of war.
Gauntlet	Armed for the performance of martial enterprise.
Harp	Well-composed person of tempered judgment; contemplation; mystical bridge between heaven and earth.
Hawk's Lures	One who is fond of the highest pursuits, such as hunting and falconry.
Helmet	Wisdom and security in defense; strength, protection, invulnerability.
Holly	Truth.
Horseshoe	Good luck and safeguard against evil spirits.
Hunting Horn	One who is fond of the chase, of high pursuits.
Ivy Leaves	Strong and lasting friendship.
Keys	Guardianship and dominion.
Lance	The perfection of martial affairs; emblem of knightly service; devotion to honour.
Lightning Bolt	Swiftness and power.
Lyre	Contemplation; tempered judgment.
Palm Branch	Victory, justice, and royal honor.
Parchment/Scroll	Reference to academic or scholarly achievement.
Pen	Art of writing and educated employment.
Plow	Laboring in the earth and depending upon providence.
Portcullis	Protection in an emergency.
Saddle	Preparedness for active service.
Scales or Sceptre	Justice.
Ship	Ancient sea voyages.
Spear	Honorable warrior; valiant knight.
Spur	Preparedness for active service; pressing onward.
Sword	Justice and military honor.
Trident	Maritime dominion.
Trumpet	Ready for war.
Wings	Swiftness and protection.