Forms of arms. Heraldic shield. Composition of the coat of arms

Since the very appearance of heraldry, the coats of arms were the most important part of the entire stamp composition. They varied depending on the culture and nationality of the owner.

Origin of the arms

From the point of view of heraldry, the forms of arms are the forms of a heraldic shield. This element is the basis of any figure accepted as a symbol by influential families and states. In medieval Europe, the shape of the arms also depended on the armorial figures, located not in it.

In the knightly era, the most popular was the triangular shield. 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 first coats of arms only copied their forms from real shields, which, in turn, changed along with the development of medieval weapons.

When the real outline began to give way to the fictions of artists, heraldic books began to be full of a huge number of variations. Since it was already a symbol, every 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 types of arms

In modern heraldry, classical shields are distinguished. In total there are nine of them: Varangian, Italian, Spanish, French, Byzantine, English, rhombic, German and square. Such forms of arms were most popular. Some of them were called according to the national tradition, although in fact they also had geometric analogues. The heraldic shield in the form of a triangle was called Varangian, the oval - Italian, rounded at the bottom of the square - Spanish.

There were also more intricate figures, but they met much less often. The right and left sides of the emblem are determined from the point of view of the person who holds the shield, and not from the viewer's side. This is one of the most important rules in heraldry, which is often not known to newcomers.

French shield

The most common was the French coat of arms. Its shape corresponded to a quadrangle with a sharpened bottom. Such arms were very popular in Russia. Symbols with these outlines took the famous noble families and provincial towns of the XIX century. The modern form of the Russian coat of arms is also made in the French tradition.

How can you explain such popularity? The shape of the coat of arms of Russia (that is, the French one) provides a maximum of free space for the heraldic figures in the figure. Such a shield is most practical from the point of view of the artist. The French coat of arms can represent the most complex and original composition.

German Shield

The most difficult was the German shield. In its form with the edge was a notch. This heraldic tradition originated as a redrawing of a real German shield. It is also called tarch. It was used by the West European knights of XIII-XVI centuries. Tharch appeared even in Russian squads. The dent in it was necessary in order to fix a spear, which could be used to defeat the enemy. The arms of the knights of Germany especially often included this artistic feature of the form.

Tarchi spread throughout Europe in the 13th century. They could be made from the available tree species. This material was much more accessible than iron. For greater security, the tarch was covered with fur. Therefore, in heraldry, the skin of animals is often imitated in the figure. 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 one or another genus. Rich knight families could afford iron, respectively, it was depicted on their symbol.

Dissection

To understand how to make the 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 the figures into several parts. Artists use a dissection, an intersection, and also diagonal lines. They allow you to divide the heraldic shield so that several colors are present on it at once. A diverse palette is one of the most popular heraldic tools needed to make the drawing unique and recognizable.

With the help of diagonal lines it is possible to cut off and emphasize the significance of a certain part of the shield. For example, this separates the head or top of the emblem. If the diagonal strip crosses the entire shield, then this technique is called a sling.

Cross

Another important heraldic figure is the cross. The arms of the knights often included the image of this symbol. It is logical to assume that in Europe the cross was the main sign of Christianity, thanks to which it was so often used. However, over time this heraldic symbol got a second wind. He began to depict without regard to the original Christian meaning. The universality of the cross can easily be confirmed by the whole human history. Such drawings were used long before the birth of heraldry. For example, in the Gentiles the cross was synonymous with the worship of the sun.

If the coat of arms to connect the two sashes, you get a familiar to the Russians the symbol of the fleet. This is the so-called Andreevsky cross, which can also be found on the flag of Scotland and in many other heraldic compositions. Other types of this common symbol can have intricate shortening or other decorative extensions (rounding, notches, etc.).

Other geometric shapes

In addition to the cuts and 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 coat of arms necessarily contains a reference to the figures drawn. In the late Middle Ages, a tradition appeared to depict geometric elements in the corners of the shield. This "free part" is a common heraldic technique.

In addition, the main shield, which forms the entire form of the coat of arms, may have a smaller shield inside it. This recursion was the norm for heraldry. With the help of the flaps, the knight's origin of the coat of arms was emphasized.

Non-heraldic figures

There is another large group of parts 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 most recognizable element of the coat of arms is a unique pattern. Therefore, knights (and then cities) tried to depict something rare and original on their shield.

Natural figures include drawings of animals and birds. Owners of arms were selected according to the fauna of their native lands. In addition, the rules of heraldry did not prohibit the depiction of rivers, mountains - in general, all that nature has created. Artificial figures are drawings of weapons and armor. Especially popular were the knights and warriors, who thus emphasized their love of 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 on their arms the centaurs, griffins and other characters of ancient mythology. The most famous in this series is probably the figure of a two-headed eagle. This mythical bird was depicted on the coat of arms of the Byzantine Empire. From there, together with Orthodoxy and other Greek realities, she moved to Russia. The first two-headed eagle as its own symbol in Moscow began to use Ivan III in the XV century.

Stamp motto

An important part of any emblem at all times was the motto. As a short memorizing phrase, which became a symbol of the genus, city or state, was used. From the heraldry the mottos migrated to military affairs and everyday life.

Regardless of the shape of the coat of arms of the family, he necessarily had a special tape downstairs. The motto was written on it. In the Catholic countries, Latin winged expressions were used. Quotes from the Bible or other ancient writings were popular. The ribbon and the inscription on it copied the color of the metal arms.

Shield holders

In particularly magnificent coats of arms (usually royal or princely), often such an heraldic element as a shield holder was used. He supplemented the basic composition. The shield is in the center, and the shield holders are shown at the edges. At first, human figures were used in their quality. This tradition came about thanks to knightly tournaments, which were always attended by warrior assistants holding their family shield.

However, over time, these figures began to be replaced by mythological creatures and beasts. This method allowed to decorate the heraldic composition in addition. In order to know how to make a coat of arms, one must accurately represent who can be portrayed as the bearer, and who does not. In any symbolic drawing they represented the firmness and strength of its owner. Therefore, as the shield bearers were often portrayed mighty creatures: lions, eagles, giants, etc. Their selection was always treated very carefully.

There are cases when the shield holders differ from each other. For example, the situation is with the coat of arms of Great Britain. On it to the right is a majestic crowned lion, and to the left - a mythical silver unicorn. Christian knights in the Middle Ages were popular figure of the angel 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 the arms, their drawing was a lucky talisman on the battlefield. Split your shield with the heraldic image was considered an unlucky sign.