You started with a quick search for your great-grandfather’s name and two hours later, you’re deep into records, staring at a family crest or coat of arms. Now you’re asking: Why those colors? Was my ancestor royalty… or really just into primary colors?
Turns out, every color in the world of heraldry has a story to tell, and your family’s colors might reveal more than you think.
The History Behind Heraldic Colors
Ireland's coat of arms is blue, gold, and silver. So why blue? Why not green, white, or red? Well, the use of colors known as tinctures is a key element in heraldry, along with heraldic charges and ordinaries (simple geometric shapes). Each color represents a certain trait, achievement, or value associated with a family (and even countries!)
It started back in the medieval era when people couldn’t read but had very good visual memories. Coats of arms were used by the banners of their lords on the march to battle. So, the more colorful and splendid a coat of arms on a banner was, the easier it was to follow.
Traditionally, heraldry was limited to just a few colors because natural dyes were scarce (and expensive). To demystify the Irish colors, these were the colors worn by the representing authority of Ireland way back in the late 13th century!
The Crest Colors and Their Meaning
In heraldry, colors, also known as tinctures, aren't just for looks. If you ever attended a family reunion and noticed a striking banner or crest, knowing what the colors mean can really turn on that aha moment of connection!
Here’s what the classic metals and colors traditionally represent:
Metals
- Gold/Yellow (Or): This color stands for noble standing, generosity, and a giving nature. Families with this color are often community-focused. So, if your family is fond of hosting dinners and enjoys helping people, try to find your family crest and see if gold is one of your colors!
- Silver (Argent): Silver or white signifies sincerity and peacefulness. It's one of the oldest colors in heraldry that are often associated with ancestors who remained calm in the face of conflict and challenges in life.
Colors (Stains or Tinctures)
- Black (Sable): This symbolizes constancy and the enduring nature of a family. Families with this color likely endure hardships but stand their ground.
- Red (Gules): Traditionally, it symbolized martyrdom and military strength. Red also represents the bravery of family members, especially in times of war. It was the mark of bold families who fought for what mattered (or maybe just argued really well at the dinner table).
- Green (Vert): This color represents loyalty in love and hope for prosperity. Green is often associated with growth and good fortune. Think of it as a family’s good luck charm for the future. Maybe this is why green clovers (at least the rare four-leaf ones) are seen as lucky!
- Blue (Azure): Blue stands for loyalty and truthfulness, showcasing a reputation for trustworthiness if your coat of arms has this color.
Less common colors
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Purple: Royalty and justice. This was traditionally worn by nobility because purple dyes were rare and pricey.
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Brown: Humility and strength. These are often in crests of families who valued hard work.
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Pink: Love and joy. This color was actually not common in ancient heraldry, but nowadays, pink is used to symbolize gentle strength.
The colors or tinctures may also depend on the sovereignty, experience, and achievements of the person who wore the coat of arms. So, looking at your family crest’s colors is one of the ways to know the story of how your ancestors lived!
Traditional Rules
In the olden days, heraldry wasn’t just about throwing colors together willy-nilly. There were strict rules, like placing a color on another color or a metal on metal. Why? Violating those rules could lead to confusion on the battlefield, where spotting your allies (or not accidentally charging at them) really mattered. The rules also clarified family alliances, especially after marriages, and ensured coats of arms stood out from a distance on a chaotic battlefield.
These traditional rules weren't just about visual clarity. Colors were also limited to certain nobility and royalty, more so because dye pigments were expensive and hard to come by. This is why family crests gradually evolved into symbols of status.
Over time, more pigments became available, and heraldry expanded beyond royal circles. Merchants and common families began designing their own coat of arms to represent their values and leave a legacy.
Family Crest Colors Today
Family crests in the digital age evolved from the traditional rules for creative purposes but still honor the traditional meanings behind the colors and symbols. For example, many entrepreneurs often use heraldic colors to inspire their company logos. Black, for instance, is famously used to symbolize endurance!
Choosing Your Family Crest Colors
If you want to make your own coat of arms or spruce up your family crest so it reflects your personality better, choosing colors is one of the most important (and fun!) parts of the process. You can incorporate your crest and its colors for your personal projects, business logos, home decor, or even for a creative scrapbook!
Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you choose your family crest colors thoughtfully:
1. List Your Family Values
Are you known for generosity? Loyalty? Resilience? Use these traits to guide your color choices.
2. Look into your family history
If you have access to old family documents, or even a family tree, look for notable themes or stories and match those experiences with colors!
3. Consider Your Region or Cultural roots
Family crests across the globe have certain colors in their heraldic traditions. For example, if you have Spanish roots, red and silver are often found in Spanish heraldry.
4. Make It Personal
Heraldry today welcomes personal interpretation while still honoring tradition. Don’t be afraid to include modern touches. You can go for shades or even use digital hex codes to capture your or your family’s personality.
Why Decode Your Family’s Colors?
Knowing what the colors in your family crest represent isn’t just a history lesson but a way to connect with the values your ancestors held dear. It can be surprisingly empowering to discover your family was once known for loyalty (blue), generosity (gold), or bravery (red). It connects you to centuries of tradition, values, and stories that shaped your ancestors’ lives.
If you’re ready to dive deeper and discover your own family’s colors, our team specializes in finding your real family crest and bringing it back to life with our expert artists!