Macbeth Heraldry
Creating a Coat of Arms
The Coat of Arms started in about the 12th Century. A knight dressed in armour from head to foot could not be recognised by friends or enemies. This resulted in markings being painted on knights’ shields, as it was the largest piece of equipment the knight had and as the shield was easily seen from far away.
A Coat of Arms was properly granted to someone with your surname many hundreds of years ago.
Have a go at designing your own
Your design should be made up of "clues" about yourself so that your friends would recognize it as being yours.
1. Use the blank Coat of Arms template
2. Have a look at the examples to get inspiration and to see what some real Coat of Arms look like.
3. Follow the stages below to create your own Coat of Arms
1. SHIELD – this is the main body of the design. You might want to divide it up using crosses and lines. Each section should include something about what you like to do (hobby, sport or other pastime) or maybe what you would like to be when you grow up. Some of the symbols commonly used are shown below with their meaning; this might help give you some ideas.
2. COLORS - choose colors for the background of your shield that represent you; you can use more than one color, perhaps one or two for each section.
3. MOTTO - this appears at the bottom of the coat of arms and would normally be three words describing why the knight would be a good ally. Think of three words that sum up your strengths, or one of your strengths.
Some colors, symbols, and animals had special meaning when use on Coats of Arms.
Bravery Red, Griffin (part eagle part lion), Unicorn, Lion, Tiger, Dragon, swords, horns, antlers
Kind Bear, Pelican
Loyal Blue, Dog, Wolf, Horse, Axe, Ring
Hard working Bees, Camel
Ambitious Snake
Enthusiasm Falcon, Hawk, Fire
Clever/ Wisdom Fox, Grasshopper, Cubes, Dice, Crescent
Leader Purple, Eagle, Crown, Bridge
Trustworthy Raven, Gold Circle
Peace & Harmony White, Silver, Stag, Elk, Deer, Moon
Grace Purple, Mermaid
Beauty Peacock, Butterfly
Honest/ Truthful Blue, Hand, Heart
Generous Yellow, Gold
Additional symbols you may want to incorporate:
Heraldic Colors:
Yellow or Gold - Generosity
White or Silver - Peace & Sincerity
Black - Constancy (& sometimes Grief)
Blue - Loyalty & Truthfulness
Red - Military Fortitude & Magnanimity
Green - Hope, Joy & sometimes Loyalty
Purple - Royal Majesty, Sovereignty & Justice
Heraldic Animals:
Bear - Protectiveness
Bee - Industriousness
Camel - Perseverance
Dog - Loyalty
Double Eagle & Eagle - Leadership & Decisiveness
Dragon - Defender of Treasure
Falcon or Hawk - Eagerness
Fox - Cleverness
Griffin (part eagle, part lion) - Bravery
Horse - Readiness to Serve
Lion - Courage
Pelican - Generosity & Devotion
Raven - Constancy
Snake - Ambition
Stag, Elk or Deer - Peace & Harmony
Tiger - Fierceness & Valor
Unicorn - Extreme courage
Wolf - Constant Vigilance
Heraldic Symbols:
Axe - Dutiful
Bridge - (signifies a governor or magistrate)
Crescent - Enlightenment
Crosses - Christian sentiments
Crown - Authority
Fire - Zeal
Flaming Heart - Passion
Fleur-de-lys (stylized Iris flower) - Purity (associated with France)
Hand - Faith, Sincerity & Justice
Heart - Sincerity
Horns & Antlers - Fortitude
Lightning - Decisiveness
Moon - Serenity
Oyster Shell - Traveler
Ring - Fidelity
Scepter - Justice
Star - Nobility
Sun - Glory
Sword - Warlike
Tower or Castle - Fortitude & Protectiveness
**Be sure to personalize your Coat of Arms with colors, symbols, animals, and a motto that truly represents your personality, strengths, and values.**
© This activity sheet was created by WYAS Education Team, it is part of a series of lesson plans, activity and work sheets and supporting documents. To find out about the other topics available or more information on the work we do in schools or with young people please visit www.archives.wyjs.org.uk and visit the education section or email .