From the very beginning of heraldry, the forms of coats of arms were the most important part of the entire coat of arms composition. They varied depending on the culture and nationality of the wearer.
Origin of emblems
From the point of view of heraldry, the forms of coats of arms are the forms of a heraldic shield. This element is the basis of any drawing that was accepted as a symbol by influential families and states. In medieval Europe, the armorial figures located not in German also depended on the shape of the coats of arms.
In the knightly era, the triangular shield was the most popular. It was he who became the harbinger of all classical heraldry. Over time, other configurations began to appear, which increasingly depended on the imagination and fiction of the artist. The very first emblems only copied their forms from real shields, which, in turn, changed along with the development of medieval weapons.
When the real outlines began to give way to the fiction of artists, heraldic books began to dazzle with a huge number of variations. Since we were already talking about a symbol, each owner of his own coat of arms tried to get a unique combination of elements and shapes. Because of this, even national schools with their own patterns and traditions were born.
Forms and typesemblems
Classic shields are emphasized in modern heraldry. There are nine of them: Varangian, Italian, Spanish, French, Byzantine, English, rhombic, German and square. Such forms of coats of arms were the most popular. Some of them were named according to the national tradition, although in fact they also had geometric counterparts. A heraldic shield in the form of a triangle was called Varangian, an oval - Italian, a square rounded at the bottom - Spanish.
There were more intricate figures, but they were much rarer. The right and left sides of the coat of arms are determined from the point of view of the person who holds the shield, and not from the side of the viewer. This is one of the most important rules in heraldry that beginners often don't know.
French shield
The most common was the French coat of arms. Its shape corresponded to a quadrangle with a pointed bottom. Such coats of arms were especially popular in Russia. Symbols with these outlines were adopted by the famous noble families and provincial cities of the 19th century. The modern form of the Russian emblem is also made in the French tradition.
How can you explain such popularity? The shape of the coat of arms of Russia (that is, French) provides maximum free space for heraldic figures in the figure. Such a shield is the most practical from the point of view of the artist. The most complex and original composition can be depicted on the French coat of arms.
German Shield
The most difficult was the German shield. There was a notch on the edge of his uniform. Thisthe heraldic tradition originated as a redrawing of the real German shield. It is also called tarch. It was used by Western European knights of the 13th-16th centuries. Tarch appeared even in Russian squads. The recess in it was needed in order to fix the spear, which could defeat the enemy. The coats of arms of the knights of Germany especially often included this artistic feature of the form.
Tarchs spread throughout Europe in the 13th century. They could be made from available wood. This material was much more accessible than iron. For greater security, the tarch was covered with fur. Therefore, in heraldry, the figure often imitates the skin of animals. The description of the coat of arms could not do without mentioning the material from which the shield was made. This feature emphasized the owner's belonging to a particular genus. We althy knightly families could afford iron, so it was depicted on their symbol.
Incisions
To understand how to make the coat of arms of your family, you need to know not only the shape of the shields, but also other heraldic artistic features. One of them is the tradition of dividing figures into several parts. Artists use dissection, intersection, as well as diagonal lines. They allow you to divide the heraldic shield so that several colors are present on it at once. A varied palette is one of the most popular heraldic tools needed to make a design unique and recognizable.
With the help of diagonal lines, you can cut off andemphasize the importance of a certain part of the shield. For example, this is how the head or top of the coat of arms is separated. If the diagonal strip crosses the entire shield, then such a technique is called a bandage.
Cross
Another important heraldic figure is the cross. Coats of arms of knights often included the image of this symbol. It is logical to assume that in Europe the cross was the main sign of Christianity, which is why it was so often used. However, over time, this heraldic symbol received a second wind. He began to be depicted without regard to the original Christian meaning. The universality of the cross can easily be confirmed by the whole of human history. Such drawings were used long before the birth of heraldry. For example, among the pagans, the cross was synonymous with sun worship.
If you combine two baldrics on the coat of arms, you get the symbol of the fleet familiar to the Russians. This is the so-called St. Andrew's Cross, which can also be found on the flag of Scotland and in many other heraldic compositions. Other variations of this common symbol may have intricate shortenings or other decorative extensions (roundings, serrations, etc.).
Other geometric shapes
In addition to the cuts and the cross, in heraldry there are several more common heraldic figures drawn on the shield. This list includes: a square, a border, a triangle, a point, a rectangle, a circle, a rhombus, a spindle, etc. The description of the emblem necessarily contains a mention of the drawnfigures. In the late Middle Ages, a tradition arose to depict geometric elements in the corners of the shield. This is a "free part" - a common heraldic technique.
In addition, the main shield, which forms the entire shape of the coat of arms, may have a smaller shield inside. Such recursion was the norm for heraldry. With the help of shields, the knightly origin of the owner of the coat of arms was emphasized.
Non-heraldic figures
There is another large group of components of the coat of arms. These figures are also called non-heraldic. They are divided into three types: artificial, natural and legendary. As a rule, the unique design becomes the most recognizable element of the coat of arms. Therefore, the knights (and then the cities) tried to depict something rare and original on their shield.
Natural figures include drawings of animals and birds. The owners of coats of arms selected them according to the fauna of their native lands. In addition, the rules of heraldry did not at all forbid the depiction of rivers, mountains - in general, everything that nature created. Artificial figures are drawings of weapons and armor. They were especially popular with knights and warriors, who thus emphasized their love for military craft.
Finally, the most curious and extraordinary group can be called the legendary figures. These are drawings of fictional creatures popular in heraldry. Even the most zealous Christians could depict centaurs, griffins and other characters of ancient mythology on their coat of arms. The most famous in this series is probably the figure of a double-headed eagle. This mythical bird was depicted on the coat of armsByzantine Empire. From there, along with Orthodoxy and other Greek realities, she passed to Russia. The first double-headed eagle was used as a personal symbol in Moscow by Ivan III in the 15th century.
Crest motto
An important part of any coat of arms at all times was the motto. As it was used a short memorable phrase, which became a symbol of a clan, city or state. Mottos migrated from heraldry to military affairs and everyday life.
Regardless of what the form of the coat of arms of the family was, it always had a special ribbon at the bottom. The motto was written on it. In Catholic countries, Latin winged expressions were used. Quotations from the Bible or other ancient writings were popular. The ribbon and the inscription on it copied the color of the metals of the coat of arms.
Shield holders
In especially magnificent coats of arms (usually royal or princely), such a heraldic element as a shield holder was often used. He complemented the main composition. The shield is in the center, and the shield holders are depicted along the edges. At first, human figures were used in their capacity. This tradition appeared thanks to the jousting tournaments, which were always attended by warriors' assistants holding their family shield.
However, over time, these figures began to be replaced by mythological creatures and beasts. This technique made it possible to additionally decorate the heraldic composition. To know how to draw up a coat of arms, you need to imagine exactly who can be depicted inas shield holders, and who is not. In any symbolic drawing, they personified the stamina and strength of their owner. Therefore, powerful creatures were often depicted as shield holders: lions, eagles, giants, etc. Their selection was always treated very carefully.
There are times when shield holders differ from each other. So, for example, is the case with the coat of arms of Great Britain. It depicts a majestic crowned lion on the right, and a mythical silver unicorn on the left. Among Christian knights in the Middle Ages, the figure of an angel was popular as a heavenly intercessor and patron. Therefore, before the battle, the warrior always performed a prayer, while holding a shield with him. For many superstitious owners of coats of arms, their design was a happy talisman on the battlefield. Breaking your shield with a heraldic image was considered an unlucky omen.
