Monday, May 13, 2013

Coat of arms

Coat of arms
coat of arms is a unique heraldic design on a shield, escutcheon, surcoat, or tabard. A coat of arms is used to cover, protect, and identify the wearer. Thus the term is often stated as "coat-armour", because it was anciently displayed on the front of a coat of cloth in European societies. The coat of arms on an escutcheon forms the central element of the full heraldic achievement which consists of shield, supporters, crest, and motto. The design is a symbol unique to an individual person, and to his family, corporation, or state. Such displays are commonly called armorial bearings, armorial devices, heraldic devices, or simply armorials, or arms.
The use of arms spread to Church clergy, and to towns as civic identifiers, and to royally-chartered organizations such as universities and trading companies. Flags developed from coats of arms, and the arts of vexillology and heraldry are closely related. The coats of arms granted to commercial companies are a major source of the modern logo.

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