The Timeless Allure of Symbols
From ancient civilizations to modern branding, humans have always used symbols. These images, whether etched in stone or featured on a famous logo, often speak louder than words ever can.
During the medieval period when most people couldn’t read, symbols like family crests were very useful. So useful that if they were not clear enough to convey their intended meanings, it could easily turn into perilous situations, like losing a limb because someone was mistaken for an enemy during a war.
Now, symbols are not only used for clarity and identification. They serve as the fabric that weaves everyone who shares the same heritage, values, and traditions together.
How Shapes Shape Us
Why did our ancestors start using symbols in the first place? Well, humans have always had a persisting need to make sense of the world by assigning meaning to shapes, colors, and images. This turns them into powerful symbols.
It’s the same reason why most people associate the color white with peace or a circle with eternity.
Carl Jung, a renowned psychiatrist, viewed symbols as a “bridge toward the human psyche.” Your dreams, the art you like and the myths you believe, these are all symbolic expressions that help you get a deeper understanding of yourself and your place in this world.
Similarly, in heraldry, symbolic language takes shape through family crest symbols or heraldic charges (as they are officially known) a combination of shapes that embody an individual's unique values and life experiences. The symbols serve as a way to express deeper meanings that transcend time, carrying with them the essence of a person’s legacy as it’s passed down through generations.
The Rise of Heraldry
Family crests were created out of necessity (and because they grabbed so much attention visually) during the 12th century. In a time when few people could read and understand words, heraldry was an essential part of communication.
For knights, their shields and banners were marked with symbols, signaling their allegiance and unity to a clan or kingdom.
Tournaments, which were mock combats, provided knights the stage to showcase both their combat skills and their status in society via their family crests, allowing spectators to quickly recognize their identities.
In the centuries that followed nobles used their coat of arms was a symbol of identity and ownership outside of any battle scenario, often marking their lands all with a glance of their family crest.
A noble's coat of arms symbols, particularly the family crest (part above the helmet), were also engraved on on items like wax seal stamps, making sure a family identity was known in all communications from the bearer.
So while family crest symbols were originally used for their boldness in declaring battle identity, over time, they quickly evolved into a cherished part of family heritage, often displayed in homes as a reminder of ancestral roots.
What Heraldic Charges Mean (symbols)
Associating nature and the natural environment with a shape is one of the earliest ways shapes gained symbolic meaning to humans - think of ancient cave paintings of animals.
Heraldry became more complex when people began to incorporate elements of story-telling and not just individual symbols.
In medieval heraldry, each coat of arms symbol was carefully chosen to represent the traits of the person who received it or to tell the tale of what the person had achieved in their life so far. For example, a ruling monarch might grant a knight a coat of arms with a symbol of a hound to signify loyalty - as hounds are known for their devotion to their masters.
Here are some examples of charges and their representations:
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Cross - a symbol of Christianity
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Castle - a symbol of home and safety
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Lion - a symbol of bravery and valor
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Star - symbol of nobility and divine characteristics
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Arrowhead - a symbol of readiness for battle
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Griffin - a symbol of bravery and death-defying nature
Social Role of Coats of Arms
When people come together under a common symbol, they’re not just connected by heritage; they are bound by shared principles and values that reflect their identity and social status. Coats of arms granted to noble families were often associated with power, so having one is like a subtle flex. It shows that your family once held a high rank in society, basically saying, “Yes, the King and I go way back.”
Family Crest in Modern Days
Today, you can see coats of arms and family crests displayed in family homes, engraved in family heirlooms, or etched on famous buildings and logos.
Storytelling through heraldic design is one of the ways businesses use personal branding to connect and relate with their audience.
This is why brands like Cadillac (the car company), Shell (the oil company), and prestigious universities like Harvard and Cambridge stand out, because their symbols carry a sense of legacy, tradition, and trust that resonate with consumers.
The Enduring Language of Symbols
They may seem ornamental nowadays, but you’ve learned in this article that there is actually more to coats of arms than their symbols. A crest represents values, societal status, traditions, and achievements.
The good news is you can make your own family crest as a way to honor your family heritage! Or have experts find your family crest for you.
Beyond their practical use, coat of arms symbols connect past ancestors and present-day families. And when it’s passed on, their values and achievements also live on.