A great introduction to heraldry, coats of arms, and symbolism. The slideshow begins by discussing symbols and moves into the history of heraldry, finishing with the introduction to a coat of arms assignment.

1. Heraldry and the use of
symbolism in art
Presented by: bruceblackart.com

2. Before we talk about heraldry,
let’s discuss symbolism for a
bit.
What is a symbol?
Can you think of one symbol
that would best represent
who you are?

3. Here are some
symbols that are
part of our
everyday life.
They are
instantly
recognizable.
What are some
other symbols
that we use?

4. In the last slide, the shield had a fleur de Lis on it. Did
you know that this symbol has a long history dating
back as far as ancient Egypt?
The Fleur de Lis is a
symbol that has been
used in imagery for
centuries. This one is
from an Egyptian
Temple made around
200 B.C.E

5. Legend
The English translation of "fleur-de-lis"
(sometimes spelled "fleur-de-lys") is
"flower of the lily." This symbol,
depicting a stylized lily or lotus flower,
has many meanings. Traditionally, it has
been used to represent French royalty,
and in that sense it is said to signify
perfection, light, and life. Legend has it
that an angel presented Clovis, the
Merovingian king of the Franks, with a
golden lily as a symbol of his purification
upon his conversion to Christianity.
Others claim that Clovis adopted the
symbol when water lilies showed him
how to safely cross a river and thus
succeed in battle .

6. In the Middle Ages the symbols of lily
and fleur-de-lis overlapped
considerably in religious art.
Michel Pastoureau, the historian,
says that until about 1300 they were
found in depictions of Jesus, but
gradually they took on Marian
symbolism and were associated with
the Song of Solomon’s "lily among
thorns," understood as a reference to
Mary. Other scripture and religious
literature in which the lily symbolizes
purity and chastity also helped
establish the flower as an
iconographic attribute of the Virgin.
Fleur-de-lis on 14th century Syrian
albarello.

7. Religion and War
Joan of Arc carried a white banner that showed God blessing the French royal
emblem, the fleur-de-lis, when she led French troops to victory over the
English in support of the Dauphin, Charles VII, in his quest for the French
throne.
The Roman Catholic Church ascribed the lily as the special emblem of the
Virgin Mary.
Due to its three "petals," the fleur-de-lis has also been used to represent the
Holy Trinity.
Military units, including divisions of the United States Army, have used the
symbol's resemblance to a spearhead to identify martial power and strength.

8. Heraldry and the Fleur de lis
In the twelfth century, either King Louis VI or King Louis VII (sources disagree)
became the first French monarch to use the fleur-de-lis on his shield. English
kings later used the symbol on their coats of arms to emphasize their claims to
the throne of France.
In the 14th century, the fleur-
de-lis was often incorporated
into the family insignia that
was sewn on the knight's
surcoat, which was worn over
their coat of mail, thus the
term, "coat of arms."
The original purpose of
identification in battle
developed into a system of
social status designations after
1483 when King Edmund IV
established the Heralds'
College to supervise the
granting of armor insignia.

9. The arms of Edward III (from 1340),
including the fleur-de-lis; similar
arms were used by subsequent
English monarchs until 1800
French arms before 1376
(France

10. HERALDRY
Warriors have painted symbols on
their shields for a long time, but it
was not until around the 1200s that
they began to be used as a legacy
continuing from one generation to
the next.
The tomb of Geoffrey V, Count of
Anjou(died 1151) is the first recorded
example of hereditary armory in
Europe. The same shield shown here
is found on the tomb effigy of his
grandson, William Longespée, 3rd
Earl of Salisbury

11. Heraldry is the profession, study,
or art of devising, granting, and
blazoning arms and ruling on
questions of rank or protocol, as
exercised by an officer of arms.
Heraldry comes from Anglo-
Norman herald, from the
Germanic compound *harja-
waldaz, "army commander". The
word, in its most general sense,
encompasses all matters relating
to the duties and responsibilities
of officers of arms. To most,
though, heraldry is the practice
of designing, displaying,
describing, and recording coats
of arms and heraldic badges.

12. Historically, it has been variously described
as "the shorthand of history" and "the floral
border in the garden of history.“
The origins of heraldry lie in the need to
distinguish participants in combat when their
faces were hidden by iron and steel helmets.
Eventually a formal system of rules
developed into ever more complex forms of
heraldry.
Though heraldry is nearly 900 years old, it is
still very much in use. Many cities and towns
in Europe and around the world still make
use of arms. Personal heraldry, both legally
protected and lawfully assumed, has
continued to be used around the world.
Heraldic societies exist to promote education
and understanding about the subject.

13. In HERALDRY, each portion of the shield has a name and a function.
Nothing is superfluous!

17. Now, Design your own coat of arms!
For this project, you will create a
personal coat of arms for yourself.

18. LET’S GET STARTED!
1. Think of your strongest personality trait. Now think of an
animal that would symbolize that trait.
2. What is your lineage? Is there a symbol that you can think
of that best represents your heritage or your familie’s past
history?
3. Which two colors do you think depict your personality?
Create a pattern using just these colors.
4. What activities define you? What symbols could you create
to show those activities?
5. What’s one thing you would like to achieve in the next five
years? How about the next ten years?

19. 6. What is your astrological sign? Draw a picture of it.
7. Are you strongly religious? Is there a symbol that represents
your faith?
8. Does have your family have any heirlooms that have been
passed down? For example: a watch, set of china, war medals?
9. How can you symbolize your time at CPA?
10. How many people are in your family? Is family important to
you? How could you symbolize your family?

20. END OF SLIDE SHOW… the rest is
up to you!
Presented by: bruceblackart.com
another pretty good artist!