User:Gcduerden/Sandbox

Modern American Chivalry &#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; MODERN CHIVALRY Chivalry is a subject entire books and many treatises have tired to cover. It is so ‘big’ that an entire genre of literature was developed around it – Chivalric Literature of 700-800 years ago, primarily in Western Europe (Portugal, Spain, France, England, etc.) – and a bunch of very romantic characters such as Arthur and Guenivere, Robin and Maid Marian, Amadis of Gaul, Don Quixote, Ivanhoe, et al. Many different and subsequent writers have tried to put the philosophy of chivalry into words, some with less and some with more. Recent writers delving into this field gave King Arthur an epiphany in the Learner and Lowe Broadway musical Camelot when contemplating his Knights of the round Table when he said, “Not ‘Might makes Right’ but ‘Might FOR Right!!’” And then there is the motto inscribed on the Round Table of the 1995 movie First Night “In Serving Each Other We Become Free,” or the classically famous line from Alexander Dumas’ The Three Mustketeers “One for All, and All for One.” The Dominican Monks of the Middle Ages developed the Decalogue (or Ten Commandments) of Chivalry, often called the Code of Chivalry. This author wrote about the ancient code and a Modern American Code in a newspaper multi-part column (The Coat-Tree, a weekly hobby column on Coats of Arms and Family Trees) in 1980 which was also given entotol as a paper at a heraldic conference in Richmond, VA (Atlantian Heraldic Symposium, May 6-9, 1982) at which J.P. Brooke-Little, Garter King of Arms of the Royal College of Arms (London, England) at the time, was a guest and keynote speaker. [ Ed. Note: J.P. Brooke-Little, CVO, KStJ, FSA, FHS (Hon), FRHSC (Hon), FHSNZ, KM, GCGCO (6 April 1927 – 13 Feb. 2006)] The following are the columns which ran, originally, in three parts back in 1980 as a syndicated column by Zavadu Syndicate.

a consolidated from “The Coat-Tree” -
a syndicated print/audio/visual column on Heraldry, Genealogy, & related areas of interest (originally  published in 1980 by Zavadu Syn-   dicate, Roosevelt, Utah)

by Gregory C. Duerden, R.H., F.A.C.A.,

'Earl Native' Pursuviant of Arms,

'Jefferson' King of Arms, Regent of Arms

for The American College of Arms

“MODERN CHIVALRY’. . . Many think that those two words nullify each other. Many others think that chivalry is dead and therefore cannot be ‘modern’. Whether chivalry has been around all along, only dormant here in America and recently reappearing, like an artesian spring (perhaps due to - or despite- the woman's movement or even as a back-lash to it or whether this is a 'modern phenomenon,' there seems to be a definite rise in chivalric interest aong the general populous.&#160; Let's look at the evidence of this public interest.    To see what Americans are interested in you need only look at what we are spending our money to purchase.  Look at what is currently being merchandised and what is successful in the marketplace to gauge public interest.  There has been a definite rise in chivalric items on the market -- books, movies, toys, etc.-- during the late 1970s.      For example, the old Gothic romances have been around for quite awhile, but chivalry has re-entered the general interest book arena.  Books like Kenneth m. Cameron's "Arms" series or the "Griffin Saga" series by Beverly Byrne are examples. The most direct example is the "Age of Chivalry" series by Jeanne Lancour (The Storm and The Sword, The Armor and The Veil, The Mace and The Plume, etc.). The historical books have several outstanding examples of chivalric interest as well. My personal favorites in this category are four books by two authors; Barbara Tuchman's excellent work "A Distant Mirror," and the Merlin trilogy by Mary Stewart: The Crystal Cave, The Hollow Hills, The Last Enchantment. Another worthy of mention is Victoria Holt's "The Plantagenet Prelude," written under the psudeonym of Jean Plaidy. How many 'chivalric' movies have you seen? From the big silver screen we have seen some good, some bad, and some pretty ugly attempts. Some I have seen are: Conan the Barbarian, Dragonslayer, Beastmaster, Clash of Titans, Excalibur, The Sword and The Sorcerer, and perhaps even "Heavy Metal" could fit in here. Of course we can't forget the classic (even in 1980 the first of the series were 'classics') STAR WARS and The Empire Strikes Back. I understand the next segment of the Star Wars epic to be known as "Revenge of the Jedi" or perhaps "Return of the Jedi" is due for release in May 1983 - but there may be further changes there too. Even the small screen has had several chivalric shows. There was the recent CBS presentation of "The Scarlet Pimpernel," the critically maligned "Ivanhoe," and even the stage musical-made-into-a-movie "Camelot" which is reportedly being "made for television," according to TV Guide. Then there are the current TV series "The Quest," "Voyagers," "Knight Rider," etc. Finally there is my favorite TV chivalric mini-series, the epic "Shogun," dealing in part with Japanese chivalry. The toy market is replete with chivalric items such as Lego's Castle, Playmobile's Knight Set, Star Wars figures and toys, Mattel's 'Masters of the Universe' figures and castle, etc. Comic books portray Rom the Spaceknight, Arak Son of Thunder, The Warlord, Thor, Conan the Barbarian and King Conan; and not to be outdone, there are the female figures in the chivalric comics - Red Sonja, and Arak's sidekick, Valda the Iron Maiden. Then there are the age old fairy tales, storybook heroes, and even Saturday morning cartoons. Some obviously chivalric such as Blackstar and Thundar the Barbarian, while others aren't so obvious. But Smurfs, The New Puppy's Adventures, Pac-Man, etc., at times also have chivalric storylines. Has the evidence tempted you to agree with our premise that there is a current (1980s version) rise in chivalric interest? If in nothing else, from the evidence there seems to be a definite merchandising potential for chivalric items! (End of 1st column,part two begins)   But. . . what is modern chivalry? Does it differ from the ancient variety? Let's compare the ancient code of chivalry with a modern variation. Ancient chivalry, as defined by Leon Gautier, a French scholar of the literature of chivalry and the developer of the following "Decalogue of Chivalry" consisted of: The 'Church' mentioned in the first two items was specific in its reference; it was the Catholic Church. today, after the Protestant Reformation and with other churches starting, consolidating, breaking away, etc., the first couple of 'commandments' in Gautier's version would have to be altered or generalized to enable modern man to adapt to a new code without considerable confusion. Another 'bias' that must change – and one that I have never liked anyway – refers to the 'infidel,' a term of derision. Although the term 'infidel,' in the context above, generally referred to the individuals the term was taken from (Arabic), it actually means 'an unbeliever.' An 'infidel' could mean a Saracen, Arab, Moor, other Moslem, Christian, or any non-Christian, non-Moslem, Jew or 'Gentile' (other terms or three of derision among those designations as well) depending on who was using the term. Even with the current strong feelings and biases throughout the world, it has been some time since anyone has used the word 'infidel.'
 * 1) Unswerving belief in the Church and obedience to her teachings.
 * 2) Willingness to defend the Church.
 * 3) Respect and pity for all weakness and steadfastness in defending them.
 * 4) Love of Country.
 * 5) Refusal to retreat before the enemy.
 * 6) Unceasing and merciless war against the infidel.
 * 7) Strict obedience to the feudal overlord, so long as those duties do not conflict with duty to God.
 * 8) Loyalty to truth and to the pledged word.
 * 9) Generosity in giving.
 * 10) Championship of the right and the good, in every place and at all times, against the forces of evil.   These ten tenets of ancient chivalry were taken from a firm European bias, as is obvious.

Perhaps due to the more educated attitudes towards mankind in general and the 'infidels' in particular, some interesting changes have been delinated accordng to one source of 'modern chivalry.' A group of modern scholars (a special committee of  The American College of Arms) update the 'Decalogue' (in 1977) to read as follows:

(1977, Code of American Chivalry, The American College of Arms)
 * 1) Belief in God (whether you call that God: Fate,  Elohim, Buddah, Father, Jehovah, a Universal Law, Him or Her).
 * 2) Respect and pity for all weakness; steadfastness in defending them against those that would take advantage of the weak.
 * 3) Love of Country.
 * 4) Refuse to surrender or retreat from the enemy.  But if captured, continue to resist; make every effort to escape.
 * 5) Obedience to political and military leaders, so long as those duties do not conflict with duty to God or conscience.
 * 6) Loyalty to the truth, above all, and to the pledged word.
 * 7) Generosity in giving of time, money and self.
 * 8) Champion the right and good, in every place and at all times, against the forces of evil.
 * 9) Never forget that: “I am responsible for my actions.”
 * 10) Live your life so your parents would be proud of you, so your brothers and sisters would be happy to follow in your steps, and so your children will never regret being known as yours.

Let us compare and examine the 'codes' we have just read.

Number one in both 'codes' deal with the same subject, but one has been altered to fit into a modern concept of diety/religion and still maintain a sense of dedication to a higher power. Many modern psychologists have reinforced the philosophy of the benefits of worshiping a higher power. The ancient code stress the 'Church' as a higher power, where the modern code moved one step above the 'earthly offices' and stressed the diety rather than the men representing the diety. Possibly this was done in order to accommodate agnostic thinking without ruling out any specific specific religious organization, with the possible exception of the atheist. But even the atheist believes in a higher power, many times, and so the explanatory information in the parentheses.

The ancient code's second law was deleted from the modern code in an effort to provide open-mindedness and to hinder the religious wars revealent in the past and recent times. The current Iraqi/ Iranian war or the 'war' in Northern Ireland both have strong religious or 'jihad' (holy war) connotations.

The next item deals with the 'weak.' Both the modern and ancient codes state:  “Respect and pity for all weakness and steadfastness in defending them,”  but the modern code expands this item by explaining the reason for this part of the code. The modern code adds “... against those that would take advantage of the weak.” this respect and pity for weakness doesn't mean that a chivalrous person condones weakness. Most people realize that mankind has weaknesses (physical and many other types) but we must also realize that humankind is generally strong and adaoptable. However, one of the strengths of our species is the ability to unite, even if just n groups of two or three, against oppressors/threats/ tyranny/abuse/etc. Hence the purpose of this canon of chivalry.

Patriotism, as opposed to fanatical type of chauvinism, is the basis for the next item of the 'decalogue.'  A real 'Love of Country' doesn't mean a blind, fanatical nationalism, for this type of behavior has been shown to b e more detremental than beneficial, but a realistic realization of the place our nation (or region of a nation) is in the community of nations. This community of nations has a place for all types and varieties of nations – not just rich/poor, but manufacturers, technological, agricultureal, mining, fishing, tourist, petroleum, financial services, educational, recreational, etc. A love of country that is based upon what our country has (its strengths and history), what its potential is, without ignoring the problems. . .  this is what this part of the code expresses.

The modern code adapted a little of the United States Military Code of Conduct in the next topic. The ancient tenet was shorter and dealt only with retreat from the enemy. The modern code, amended with the Code of Conduct (which some point to as a type of chivalric code itself) is more relevant and a better reflection of modern realities and military tactics when it addresses both capture and surrender.

The next item on the ancient code, as already mentioned, was deleted due to the derisive term of 'infidel.' One of the reasons was its lack of qualifying definition, so the modern scholars unanimously determined to edit this item. One additional condiseration was the license to 'unceasing and merciless war' against any undefined group; to even allow that type of war is considered heinous by modern standards, and even by most military standards. Another topic which wa sinfused with a bit of the Military Code of Conduct is the obedience tenet. The ancient code stressed “Strict obedience to the feudal overlord,” but with the lack of feudal ovrlords in today's world, this part had to be re-defined. Also, 'strict' was deemed a bit too restrictive, so the modern version inserted the “political and military leaders” for 'overlord' and added the conscience as an additional avenue of higher obedience, for both God and personal conscience were felt to be high orders of duty than pure military and political dictates.

'Loyalty' and 'Generosity' were only slightly amplified by the modern code drafters. They felt that loyalty to truth was paramount and added the phrases “above all” to that section. The 'Generosity' section needed further light on the giving avenues, hence the adjectives of “time, money and self” to illustrate the manner that giving can be accomplished.

The final topic of the ancient code was unchanged when the modern code was drawn up, but since the ancient code had two items which were deleted from the modern code, two additional topics needed to be inserted to maintain a 'Decalogue.'

The final two tenets of the modern code delved into a more personal type of behavior. The first modern addition is a direct insert from the Military Code of Conduct, and deals with personal responsibility. The final insert to the modern decalogue is a matter of summation of the previous nine and deals more with an overall philosophy of life: “Live your life so your parentsw would be proud” - sort of a revision of the idea of filial piety - “your brothers and sisters would be happy to follow in your steps, and your children will never regret being known as yours – a personal example being the best way to teach.

(End of 2nd column, 3rd installment)

Now that we have looked at the evidence of a 'modern American chivalry' and have compared the ancient code with a modern version, let us look at the future of chivalry. But first let me divert a bit.

Until recently historians have purposely ignored the Middle Ages. For some it has been due to the lack of proper documentation from the period; others have ignored the period because the facts were so overcome with opinion/fantasy/folklore/error. A few of the more adventurous have bucked the established opinions and delved into the Dark Ages.

One pre-eminent historian to do an outstanding job was Will Durrant in his multi-volume set entitled The Story of Civilization. His fourth volume, “The Age of Faith,” covers the medieval period from 325 to 1300 AD/CE. In his Epilogue to that volume, sub-titled “The Medieval Legacy,” Durrant states:

"“The Middle Ages are a condition as well as a period: in Western Europe""we should close them with Columbus; in Russia they continue til Peter""the Great (d. 1725); in India until our time.”""Durrant then pops our 'modern' ego with the following reminder:""“ . . .  we must remind ourselves tha the followers of Abelard called""themselves moderni, and that the bishop of Exeter, in 1287, spoke of""his century as moderni tempores, 'modern time.' The boundary between""'medieval' and 'modern' is always advancing;and our age of coal and oil""and sooty slums may some day be accounted medieval by an era of""cleaner power and more gracious life. .  ..""“. .  . We have not fully recovered from the Dark Ages: the insecurity""that excites greed, the fear that fosters cruelty, the poverty that breeds""filth and ignorance, the filth that generates disease, the ignorance that""begets credulity, superstition, occultism – these still survive amongst""us; and the dogmatism that festers into intolerance and Inquisitions""only awaits opportunity or permission to oppress, kill, ravage and""destroy. In this sense modernity is a clok upon medievalism, which""secretly remains;. . . ”                                           (pgs. 1082-83)"

Another historian to feel feel we have many similarities with the Medieval period was James Westfall Thompson, when he compared the 14th Century with its Black Death and our century with its wars – specifically World War I, the “War to End All Wars.” He found many of the same complaints we still see today as common to both periods:

“. .  .  economic chaos, social unrest, high prices, profiteering,

depraved morals, lack of production, industrial indolence, frentic

gaiety, wild expenditure, luxury, debauchery, social and religious

hysteria, greed, avarice, maladministration, decay of manners.”

A third historian felt that:

“ . .  . the interst of the period itself – a violent, tormented, be-

wildered, suffering and disintegrating age,. . .  was compelling

and, as it seemed to me, consoling in a period of similar disarray.

If our last decade or two of collapsing assumptions has been a

period of unusual discomfort, it is reassuring to know that the

human species has lived through worse before.”

That historian is the award winning Barbara Tuchman.

With above mentioned authorities, peraps we can state that our 'modern chivalry' has been with us, in perhaps a different form, since early time of this 'Modern Middle Ages,' sometimes referred to as the Age of Chivalry Miedieval period.

As to the future of chivalry, anything that can survive the last millenium or more will continue – perhaps not in its present for even ancient form, but it could be something akin to the type illustrated in the Star Wars sagas with the Jedi-Knights. For as long as there are thinking people upon this planet, I'm sure that the things that true chivalry stands for will never really die.

Chivalry has and will be more than the knight on a white horse rescuing damels. Besides being quite sexist, that portrayal is too simplistic, too general, and quite inaccurate. That was only one significant part of the duties of a chivalrous indiviual, and a white charger wasn't a pre-requisite even for that function.

There are mnay documented cases of females fighting and/or living chivalric lives (e.g., Joan of Arc (1412-1431), Joan of Kent (1328-1385), Angarad of the Golden Hand, etc.) while many men living in the 'Age of Chivalry' never comprehended or lived a true chivalric life.

Many men today live lives that would fit the chivalric ideal (“Live Pure, Speak True, Right Wrong, Follow Christ, the King” - Lord Alfred Tennyson). There have also been some excellent examples in recent times of the chivalric ideal: Gandhi, Lord Mountbatten, Martin Luther King, etc. With their examples and the living examplars of chivalry, the upcoming generations will have a good foundation to build upon, securing the future of chivalry.

Finally, let me quote Sir Edward Strachey from an introduction of “Le Morte d'Arthur” (1886):

“And if it should seem as though the chivalry of our own times is

reduced to something less novle than that of old, when men risked

life, and things dearer than life, in defending the weak and attacking

the oppressor in his stronghold – when the hardness of the actual fight

against evil-doers was not exaggerated in the romances which

pictured the knights contending with dragons and enchanters and

giants. . .  (our) world is yet far from cleared of the monstrous

powers of evil, which still oppress and devour the weak; and that

a battle, not really less resolute, not, if need be, less desperate, than

those old, is still carried on by those who, under the modest guise

of common life, are fighting in the true spirit of chivalry. ..

“But whether we are content with the chivalry of manners, or aspire

to a place in the brotherhood of chivalry of actiona, our principles,

our maxims, and our examples have come down to us as an inher-

itance from the past – an inheritance common to all who care to

claim it; and won for us by the old knights, fighting in the name of

God and of their ladies.”

Conclusion:  Modern Chivalry is alive, well and just beginning anew.

BASIC HERALDRY
Heraldry - [definition from The Random House Dictionary of the English Language, Unabridged edition (1973)] n., pl. –ries. 1. the science of armorial bearings. 2. the art of blazoning armorial bearings, of setting the rights of person to bear arms or to use certain bearings, of tracing and recording genealogies, of recording honors, and of deciding questions of precedence. 3. the office or duty of a herald. 4. A coat of arms; armorial bearings. 5. a heraldic device, or a collection of such devices. 6. heraldic symbolism.&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; 7. heraldic pomp and ceremony. . . . (HERALD+-RY)” Heraldry is an ancient service, art and science which goes back at least to the middle ages. The exact date of the formation of ‘organized heraldry’ is unknown, but happened seemingly simultaneously in both European and Asian feudal systems. Germany seems to be the site of the first signet rings and seals. At about the same time heralds became part of European noble and royal courts, the Japanese developed a system of ‘Mons’ to visually identify ‘clans.’ Symbols used on shields identified individuals, military units and groups, etc. This practice goes back to the early days of Greece, Rome, Israel, Egypt, Mesopotemia, etc. Heralds became the first military intelligence officers of the nobility and royal courts because they could identify the good-guys and the bad-guys in a battle – very useful when full armor with covered faces became the vogue. To make such identification and differencing of arms possible, rules were set up and the metals, colors, stains and furs used in designing the arms was established as well as a system to describe and draw arms, known as blazoning and hatching. One form of heraldic bearing is called Ordinaries - these are various lines and geometric shapes used as charges (crosses, piles, etc.). Actual charges for coats of arms fall into several categories: natural objects, animate charges, inanimate things, canting charges or “rebuses” (which form a pun on the name of the bearer) and a more recent addition, cartoon characters. Natural objects would be things like rocks, celestial objects – sun, moon, stars, constellations, comets, planets, etc. – and so on. Animate charges include but are not limited to the following: trees and parts of trees (leaves, limbs, chunks of wood, logs of various sizes, etc.), flowers (pedals, blossoms, leaves, etc.), plants, divine beings, human beings and parts of the human body, animals, birds, fish, insects, reptiles, monsters, ‘other creatures,’ etc. [Lions, dragons, tigers, bears, camels, goats, sheep, whales, narwhales, dolphins, butter-flies, spiders, scorpions, snakes, bats, eagles, swallows, hawks, flying fish, deer, elk, moose, fawn, unicorn, cyclopes, monitor, dinosaurs, and much more.] Inanimate things are generally viewed as conventional ancient charges: anchors, arrows, bows, bridges, castles, crowns, gloves, swords, ships, towers, wheels, machines, etc. There have also been several modern things used as charges; e.g., the DNA double-helix was used as the charge on the arms of the scientist who ‘discovered’ it; airplanes have been used as charges, in scenes on shields, and as supporters for arms, as have rockets. ‘Spaceships’ have only been used in the cartoon character category. Canting arms or “rebuses” would be: a) a man with the surname of Lucy, Geddy, or Pike using the fish known in heraldic terms as Luce or Lucy or Ged, which is the variety of fish known more commonly as a pike, for a charge on his shield; or b) John Shakespeare having a single large jousting lance on his shield. Cartoon characters are generally used in the military branch of heraldry and are the caricatures of animals, people or objects. Heraldry can be used to identify individuals, their family members (this is called cadency), their property, and holdings as well as ‘houses,’ cities, corporations, societies, churches, states, nations, military units, businesses, agencies or about any other type of organizations. But the ‘family of coat of arms,’ with only a surname to identify it, are usually bogus. When heraldic seals were used, anciently, they were similar to an individual’s signature on documents or a brand on livestock or property of a certain individual. Today if you assume or use another person’s identity or signature you will be arrested and charged with crimes of identity theft, forgery or worse. That is a crime! But, so is assuming another person’s identity by using their coat of arms without it being properly differenced and granted to you by a properly empowered office. Just because some ‘businessman’ takes advantage of someone’s ill-informed, misinformed nature, or their lack of knowledge (aka: ignorance) just for the sake of turning a profit or making money, with no intent of even trying or caring to do good; well this is usually called being a fraud, a thieve, or con-man, and a criminal. Usurping another’s name, heritage and lineage by using a coat of arms which is not yours also seems to disregard your own proper family tree, heritage and lineage is a BIG mistake, whoever does it. &#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;'''YOUR family tree and coat of arms are YOUR birthright …. &#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; DISCOVER THEM&#160;!!''' (To learn more refer to: Asian, European, Tribal and U.S. Heraldry) Table of Tinctures -  &#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; Name&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; Heraldic Name&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; &#160; &#160;&#160; Abbrev.&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; Rep. by &#160;&#160;&#160; &#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; Hatching Metals: &#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; Gold&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; OR&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; O&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; Yellow &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160;&#160;. . . . . . .  &#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; Silver&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; ARGENT&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; A&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; White Colors: &#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; Black&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; SABLE&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; S&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; Black&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; +++++++ &#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; Blue&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; AZURE&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; B&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; Blue&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; - &#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; Green&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; VERT&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; V&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; Green&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ &#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; Purple&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; PURPURE&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; P&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; Purple&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; //////////////// &#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; Red&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; GULES&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; G&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; Red&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII Stains: &#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; Orange or &#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; Tawny&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; TENNE&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; none&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; Orange&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; none &#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; Reddish- &#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; Purple&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; SANGUINE&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; none&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; Blood-red&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; none &#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; Purplish – &#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; Black&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; MURREY&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; none&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; Mulberry&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; none &#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; ___________ Furs: (To not confuse you only these two furs are given with variations) &#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; Ermine&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; ERMINE&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; none&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;    &#160; Black spots on white &#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;  &#160; (black spots represent tails) &#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; Variations: &#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; ERMINES or &#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160;&#160; Contra-hermines&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;      &#160; none &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160;       &#160; White spots on black &#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; (Sable ermined argent) &#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; ERMINOIS&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; none&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; Black spots on gold &#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; (Or erminois sable) &#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; PEAN&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; none&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; Gold spots on black  &#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; Vair&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; VAIR&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; none&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; Alternate blue and white &#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; (blue and white pieces came from &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; (like alternating cups) &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160;  &#160;. the pieces variously shaped in the &#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;  practice of using back and belly and &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160;&#160;. arranged skins of grey squirrels) &#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; Variations: &#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; Counter-vair&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; &#160; none &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160;     &#160; (like alternating diamonds)   &#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; Vair en point&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; none&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; (like seine waves) &#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; Potent &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160;    &#160; none &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160;&#160;     (like crutch heads) &#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; Counter-potent&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; none&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; (like alternate crutch heads) Asian Heraldry OVERVIEW As mentioned above, a form of organized symbolism to denote clans and groups appeared in the mid-13th Century in Asia, about the same time heralds became part of European noble and royal courts. These symbols were worn on flags on the back of soldiers, in the case of the Japanese ‘Mon,’ who wore a form of wooden or bamboo armor and rode horses or walked into battle. Japan - In Japan the ‘Mon’ system was developed to be able to tell which clan or group the soldiers belonged to or were fighting with/for. The chrysanthemum ‘Mon’ was saved for the sole use of the Emperor. Veneration of the sun is another area common to many people, east and west, north and south. Japan’s Tenno clan laid claim to descent from the sun. Stylized forms of this symbol are also as common, although eastern Asian nations have found strict graphic forms for representing the sun, which are given specific names. The Japanese ‘rising sun’ is completely red without rays and is perfectly true to nature. China - China also venerates the sun in symbolism - now only found in the arms and flag of Taiwan - is fully risen, alluding to the twelve hours with “blue sky and white sun.”&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;One study of Chinese history found no examples of inheritable coats of arms for individuals or families, during the era of Europe’s Middle Ages (the seven Han dynasties). China did not develop anything similar to the Japanese mon,either, but the Han dynasty did use banners and standards to ide European Heraldry

British [Scottish / Irish / Canadian] - Today, the Royal College of Arms, in London, England, is the pre-eminent heraldic authority in the world. It has been in continual existence for well-over 500 years - established in 1483/4 by Richard III. The last time the Court of Chivalry sat to adjudicate a case of heraldic justice was 1964, but achievements of arms are issued annually and the heraldic history is still being written by this College of Arms. With the Lyon King of Arms (for Scotland) and Ulster King of Arms (for Ireland) the Heraldic Empire of Great Britain is secure and on-going. Even Canada uses the Royal College for matters heraldic. The College is overseen by the Earl Marshall of England and the Queen of England [Queen Elizabeth II (born 1926) rules in a Constitutional Monarchy since accending to the throne in 1952; she celebrated her Diamond Jubilee in 2012 --  her grandson, William, and his wife, Kate, have given the Royal Family two new members: George and Charlotte, as of this writing - one more is expected in 2017/18). The Rules of Heraldry were formulated and the Royal College Herald's wrote prolifically on the subject over the centuries: A.C. Fox-Davis' 1907 revision of Rev. Charles Boutell's (1867) English Heraldry,  or the 1950 edition of Boutell's Heraldry (from 1863) edited by Wilfred Scott-Giles and the 1970 edition of the same tome edited by J.P. Brooke-Little, revised again in 1977 also by Brooke-Little. Rules like "No Metals upon Metals, nor Colours upon Colours," and other such have guided both the amateur heraldists and pursuviant heralds for seven centuries. The impact on International Heraldry has been profound, as well as continuity is also almost not able to be measures. Lyons House, in Edinburgh, Scotland, and the Irish heraldry both owe their existance to the Royal College. Since 1 April 1943 heraldry in Ireland was regulated in the Republic of Ireland by the Office of the Chief Herald of Ireland, and in Northern Ireland by Norroy and Ulster King of Arms, of the Royal College. Prior to that heraldry on the whole island of Ireland was a function of the Ulster King of Arms, a crown office dating from 1552 - despite its name 'Ulster King of Arms,' it was based in Dublin. Since 1988 Canada has had it's own granting authority, the Canadian Heraldic Authority. Canadian heraldry is a blend of both French and British as well as distinctly Canadian emblems and traditions. Use of armorial bearings is not limited to national, provincial, and civic governmental bodies; all citizens of Canada have the right to petition for an award of arms, as do other entities including businesses and religious institutions. The granting of arms is regarded as an honor from the Queen of Canada, via her Viceroy, the Governor General of Canada, and thus are bestowed only on those whom the Chief Herald has deemed worthy of receiving a grant of arms. Ecclesiastical Heraldry (Anglican Heraldry) And then there is the Anglican Ecclesiastic Heraldric customs – while we are covering Ecclesiastic Heraldry, we need to touch on another form, the Church of England (Anglican, Episcopal, etc.). Many of the ancient religious houses had arms and in some cased these have beenpreserved in the insignia of present-day institutions; e.g., the three gothic letter B appeared in the shield of the former priory is now in the arms of the Borough of Bridlington; the three escallops of St. James, which were in the arms of Reading Abbey, are included in the arms of Reading University.

Insignia, usually religious in character, were employed in arms and seals of Bishops before they began to use heraldic arms, and in some cases the arms subsequently devised repeat the emblems. And the arms of several Sees contain the emblems of St. Peter and St. Paul. The See of London has borne two crossed swords, the emblem of St. Paul, since the 14th century. The See of Peterborough displays St. Peter's keys, and Winchester a sword and two keys. While different types of mitres and pastoral staffs are frequently found, as well.

Customs regarding the use of arms by dignitaries of the Roman Church have evolved along different lines than the Church of England, noteably by the use of a variety of different ecclesiastical hats to signify rank. In 1976 (Dec. 21st, to be specific) the Earl Marshall issued a Warrant, after the Archbishop of Canterbury's letter to him on the subject of ecclesiastic arms and the use of hats, which listed appropriate hats annexed to the Warrant. They included: black hat with three red tassels pendent from purple cords on either side for Deans; black hat with three purple tassels pendent from purple cords on either side for Archdeacons; black hat having one black tassel pendent from a black and white cord for priests; black hats without cords or tassels for deacons, etc.

The methods of marshalling ecclesiastical arms, in England, needs to reference different periods of history: post-reformation English Church, years between the Reformation and the restoration of the Roman Catholic Hierarchy in England in 1850, etc. So, as you see, ecclesiastical heraldry is complicated and differs by both denomination and custom and history. Danish - Several European countries have Constitutional Monarchies, such as Denmark (which is ruled by Queen Margretha II since 1972 – born in 1940, she celebrated her 70th birthday in 2010 and her Ruby Jubilee in 2012). Almost all still have heralds and an office of heraldry, or such, as part of their staff or part of some governmental agency. Modern heralds are more protocol officers and event planners than used in the ambassadorial or military intelligence (battle) or even tournament (sports announcer) modes of ancient times. An estimated 80% of Danish private coats of arms are burgher arms - burgher arms are coats of arms borne by persons of the burgher (merchant or peasant) social class of continental Europe (usually called bourgeois in English) since the Middle Ages. By definition, this term is alien to Gallo-British tradition of heraldry but is used in many German-Nordic traditions.Although the term ‘burgher arms’ refers to the bourgeoisie, it is often extended also to arms of the Protestant clergy and even to arms of peasants. In most European countries, the use of armorial bearings is restricted to a particular social class, e.g. the use of supporters in Great Britain, tinctures in Portugal or coronets in Sweden. In other countries, every individual, family and community has been free to adopt arms and use it as they please, provided they have not wrongfully assumed the arms of another.Use of coats of arms by burghers and artisans began during the 13th century and in the 14th century some peasants took to using arms. The arms of burghers bore a far wider variety of charges than the arms of nobility like everyday objects, in particular, tools and rune-like marks - also known as 'house marks' which are not met in arms of nobility. Most widespread burgher heraldry was and still is in Switzerland and in the Netherlands. In the Netherlands only a small percentage of the existing arms belong to the nobility.Regulation of heraldic matters falls to the National Heraldic Consultant, an officer under the Danish National Archive, for approval of municipal arms and ensuring official coats of arms adhere to the rules of heraldry. He has no jurisdiction over private arms. Danish heraldry falls in the German-Nordic tradition of hereditary use of arms (with no cadency marks and rules as the Gallo-British tradition holds). Dutch (Netherlands) - Dutch heraldry is concerned, primarily, with heraldic matters in the country of the Netherlands, or the Low-Lands of Europe. It is characterized by a simple and sober style reminiscent of medieval arms, strong use of ordinaries, etc. Coats of arms in the Netherlands are not controlled by an official heraldic system. Anyone can develop and use a coat of arms, if they wished to do so, provided they did not usurp another’s arms, and this right was historically enshrined in Roman Dutch law. Many merchant families had coats of arms (known as burgher arms) even though they were not members of the nobility. Dutch civic heraldry is regulated the High Council of Nobility, which grants the arms of provinces, municipalities, water boards, Roman Catholic dioceses and Roman Catholic basilicas. Generally, the high Council pursues a policy of stylistic simplicity, as decreed by Interior Ministry guidelines in 1977 – regional historical and genealogical societies were known to have been involved drawing up these initial designs. Generally the High Council disapproves of quartering of existing arms and has a policy of excluding figures of saints on shields.The King of the Netherlands is William 1st, and works under a Constitutional Monarchy. France - French heraldry is unique in Europe for several reasons. Regulated personal heraldry has gone and today the law recognizes both assumed and inherited arms – considering them to be legally equivalent to a visual representation of a name, and given the same protections. There is no central registry of arms and it is up to the individual to prove the longest right to the blazon of arms to be successful in court. But civic heraldry, on the other hand, remains a visible part of daily life.The language of heraldry is Norman French and it’s history exists going back to the 11th Century, but it does not have a national coat of arms. France has, instead, an emblem produced in 1953 at a request for a national coat of arms by the United Nations, but it does not follow the technical rules of heraldry and is associated with the Ancient Regime. In addition, one of the significant floral charges of heraldry has very close ties to France; the fleur-de-lys (translated as ‘lilly flower’ – a stylized design of an iris or lily). The fleur-de-lys is depicted on the British arms for the ancient claim of portions of France by the English crown … and is used on multiple civic arms to denote their country ( Paris, Lyon, Alsace, Brittany, Lorraine, Pays de la Loire, Centre, Rhone-Aples, Ile-de-France, etc.). German – German heraldic style stands in contrast to Gallo-British, Latin and Eastern heraldry and strongly influenced the styles and customs of heraldry in the Nordic countries, which developed comparatively late. Germanic heraldic tradition is noted for its scant use of heraldic furs, multiple crests, inseparabililty of the crest, and repetition of charges in the shield and the crest. Instead of Norman-French, the language of heraldry in Germany is German: tinctures are schwarz (black), rot (red), gold or gleb, silber (silver), grun (green), purpur (purple); furs are hermelin (ermine), grauwerk (vair), kursch (fur proper), buntfeh (vairy); and this follows through with ordinaries, etc.One of the earliest examples of heraldry originated in Germany with the Holy Roman Emperor Charlemagne, who erected an imperial (single headed) eagle at his palace after his coronation in the year 800 C.E., establishing the eagle as the enduring symbol of the empire and Germany for several subsequent centuries, right up until today, since the imperial eagle (one of the oldest state symbols in Europe, originating with ancient Rome) is on the flag of Germany – black eagle with red beak and claws – tracing it’s roots back to Charlemagne.Germany was one of the early sources of signet rings and seals (German: siegel), used extensively in the later Middle Ages, and was instrumental in spreading heraldry to the various institutions of feudal Europe, especially to the Nordic countries. One expert (Carl-Alexander von Volborth) says: “the custom of the warrior-caste of using their [heraldic] arms on seals made this kind of pictorial identification fashionable and led to the adoption of arms by anybody using a seal.” Noble women began using armorial seals in the 12th Century and then heraldry spread well into the burgher class (hence the European use of Burgher Arms in many counties) in the 13th Century; even some peasants used arms in the 14th Century.Two of the most common animal charges in heraldry bear special political significance in medieval Germany. Ottfried Neubecker (in his 1979 Guide to Heraldry [Maidenhead, England: McGraw-Hill]) states: “heraldic antagonism … makes the eagle the symbol of imperial power and the lion the symbol of royal sovereignty.” ify military units and, occasionally, commanding officers (as officers rather than as specific individuals). The Chinese did use graphic symbols going quite a ways back, into very ancient times. One example is the blue dragon, red phoenix, white tiger and black tortoise which are used even today, by some, as symbols for the eastern, southern, western, and northern celestial quadrants, a practice which goes back for at least 3000 years. Italian (& Ecclesiastic) – Italy formed their College of Arms (Italian: Consulta Araldica) in 1869, by royal decree, to advise the government on titles, coats of arms and related matters. It was placed in the Ministry of the Interior, combining the roles of several pre-unification Italy of various heraldic colleges: Lombardy's Tribunale Araldico (Heraldic Tribunal), Rome's Congregazione Araldica Capitolina (Capitol's Heraldry Congress), Venician Commissione Araldica (Heraldry Commission). But the Italian Royal College of Arms was dissolved after the Italian Constitution formed the Italian Republic in 1948, and after the abolition of state recognized and regulation of noble titles.

Today, no government official or office can grant titles of nobility and some of the other functions are performed by the Heraldic Office (Dipartimento del Cerimoniale di Stato – Ufficio Onorificenze e Araldica pubblica – Department of Ceremonies of State's Office of Honorari and Heraldry) within the Office of the Prime Minister.

The Italian College of Arms rarely dealt with armorial heraldry. Yet, an official armorial was in an early stage of production when the monarch was abolished in 1946, and it was to include balzons of Italian families whether titled or not. Central Archive of Italy (Archivo Centrale dello Stato, Sezione Araldica) Heraldry Section, in Rome, contains official directories of the Consulta Araldica approved by the Council of Minister and by Royal Decree. There are also nobility association in existance, includ-ing the 'Corpo della Nobilta' Italiana,' as private associations and organizations.

Ecclesiastic Heraldry (Vatican Heraldry)

In Addition, in Italy is the Ecclesiastic Heraldry of the Vatican, aka: the Holy See. The Holy See has it's own coat of arms, as does the Swiss Guard and each Pope (Pope Benedict XVI – as of this writing).

One of the unique things about Vatican Heraldry is the papal shield is officially rendered in the shape of a chalice, concave top and rounded point. Bishops and Archbishops can use varied other shields. Many of the charges used in Eddlesiastic Heraldry deal with items from their vocation: crosses, monastic items, symbols of various saints, religious artifacts, as well as things from nature (e.g., a scallop shell invokes a story about St. Augustine as well as being an allusion to baptism as a shell is often used to pour water over the head of the infants being baptized, and a shell stands for pilgrimage especially if it tops a staff – Jacob staff – such as the pope being a pilgrim among the peoples and nations of the world, etc.).

Traditionally, a papal coat of arms was externally adorned by only the three-tiered papal tiara with lappets and the crossed keys of St. Peter tied with a cord (which basically make the arms of the Holy See). No other objects nor motto were added. Pope Benedict's arms maintained the keys, but replaced the tiara with a silver mitre with three gold stripes (the stripes recall the three-tiered tiara) joined at the centre to show the unity in the same person and added a pallium with red crosses, representing a bishop's role of a pastor of the flock (metropolitan archbishops use black crosses). However, the tiara and keys remain the symbol of the papacy and appear on the arms of the Holy See (as mentioned) and (reversed) on the flag of Vatican City.

Norweigan - Norweigan heraldry comes from the German-Nordic heraldic tradition, a blend of both. All citizens are allowed to assume their own arms. Since 1814 there has been no granting of nobility and arms in Norway rather than a noble privilege.

Coats of arms were in older times relatively frequent, used by nobles as well as citizens and farmers. There are today comparatively few personal arms in Norway, especially in active use, and many are of foreign origin. Norweigan family arms have been created and established by private individuals and needed no grant or confirmation by any official authorities – not many Norwegian family arms are those of former noble families.

New arms need no official sanction and there is no legislation, official regulation or registration of such citizen arms. But the situation is different with the national and royal arms, the arms of military and civil govrnmental bodies, counties and municipalities; they are sanctioned by the king and they are protected by the Norwegian Penal Code. Norway's national arms are among the world's oldest national arms still in use.

There is no special Norwegian heraldic authority bu the government uses the National Archives of Norway as expert consultants for municipal arms. The Norwegian ministry of Foreign Affairs is the heraldic authority for use of the national coat of arms and the symbolic royal crown.

One peculiarity of Norwegian heraldry is the lack of use of the stain Orange, using five main colors, furs. Another is the use of 'house marks' (Bumerke or plural: Bumerker), often used on seals and signet rings or displayed within a escutcheon or a shield; and are basically simple lines or runic-like letters and other symbols whichsignify a specific person or family. Before literacy became widespread, a bumerke would often be used instead of a signature, much like arms.

Norwegian Heraldry Society (Norsk Heraldisk Forening, or NHF) is a private organization and was organized in 1969 in Oslo. It organizes lectures and publishes the member publication Vapenbrevet (Letters Patent); co-operates extensively with the Society of Scandinavian Heraldry (Societas Heraldica Scandinavica). NHF co-organized, in 2014, the XXXI International Congress of Genealogical and Heraldic Sciences held in Oslo.

(Sources included: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norwegian_heraldry ; and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norwegian_Heraldry_Society )

Russian - Armorial bearings were not historically used in Russia until the 17th Century, although some have speculated about uses in earlier periods. The arms were obviously inspired by more Western designs, Early designs were not following the usual reules of heraldry and by 1689 some showed influences of ideas attributed to Peter the Great. He oversaw the first officers of arms, the turning of the state symbols into true heraldry, and stated to protect certain family rights to particular arms.

The coat of arms of the Russian Federation harkens back to the arms of the Russian Empire (1721-1917), and were restored as the National Arms of the Russian Federation in 1992/3 after the dissolution of the Soviet Union. Though modified more than once since the reign of Ivan III (1462-1505), the current coat of arms is directly derived from its medieval original. The geenral chronmatic layout corresponds to the early 15th century standard. The shape of the eagle can be traced back to the reign of Peter the Great (1682-1725), although the eagle in the modern arms is godl instead of the imperial black. It is quite similar to the national emblems of the Russian Empire. The current arms were designed by artist Yevgeny Ukhnalyov; it was adopted officially on Nov. 30, 1993.

A horseman, considered to be St. George, killing a dragon, is the second of the two main Russian symbols. It is the coat of arms of Moscow and used on the flag of Moscow (which is a banner of arms) and as an inescutcheon (smaller shield) on the coat of arms of Russian.

The state coat of arms of the former Societ Union was adopted in 1923 and was used until the break-up of the Soviet Union in 1991. Although it technically is an emblem rather than a coat of arms, since it doesn't follow heraldic rules, in russia it is called repo (transliteration: gerb), the word used for a traditional coat of arms.

In Imperial Russia, the use of coats of arms was not regulated – although comparatively common among the upper classes, arms of non-nobles were rare, although they were not banned. However, since they were not condoned, they were rare. In modern times, use has become more common. There has been no change in regulation, although the use of traditional noble indicators (certain types of helms, and supporters, for example) is restricted.

When the Soviet regime took over in Russia, it abolished all tytes of nobility (although at that time they did not control the whole of Russia). However, this failed to abolish their heraldic lineage, which continued. There are, therefore, a large number of noble arms, complete with supporters and helms. In the Russian Empire, arms were actively used as a symbol of one's nobility. Unlike coats of arms in other countries (such as in British heraldry), they were largely granted to the family as a whole.

The Heraldic Council of the president of the Russian Federation advises the President, and hence the State, on heraldic matters. This includes the use of official symbols, and preventing their use by non-authorized sources. It helps local and regional governments devise coats of arms. It also discusses matters, and researches heraldry in Russia. It runs, and has authority over, the State Heraldic Register. Some states have State Herald Master, which have some regulating effects.

(Sources include: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_heraldry ; Russian Heraldry: A Brief survey ( http://the.heraldry.ru/text/briefsurvey.html ) and  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coat_of_arms_of_ Russian_Federation )

Spanish (Spanish Office of Heraldry) - Heraldry in Spain is not regulated, in the sense that there are no laws or rules on who can take what arms, and no official has ever had enforcement powers of any kind. Ther are, however, heralds (Cronistas Reyes de Armas, in Spanish or Chronicler King of Arms, in English, or Recording Kings of Arms – meaning they document rolls of arms with no regulatory power), which is an office dating back to the 16th Century, which have judicial powers in matters of titles of nobility, and also serve as a registration office for pedigrees and grants of arms.

The heralds in Spain grant arms to residents of areas currently or formerly under the governement of the Spanish Crown. This means that a resident of the Western United States and from Texas to Florida – or any area in the US which were even once under the Spanish Flag – could get a grant of arms for around $1000 (the address is: Ilmo. Sr. Don Vicente de Cadenas Y Vicent; Cronista Rey de Armas; Decano Del Cuerpo; Calle De Aniceto Marinas, 114; 28008 Madrid, SPAIN).

The Heraldic History of Spain doesn't start with the current monarch of Spain, King Felipe VI, but we can trace the Royal Heraldry and Line of Kings of Spain back to the Visgoth Kingdom and Reconquest of the Iberian peninsula in the 11th Century.

The arms of Isabel and Fernando, whose marriage unified Spain in the late 15th Century, was: quarterly, 1 and 4, quarterly Castile-Leon, 2 and 3, per pale Aragon and Argon-Sicily. Their arms used in Navarra (until 1700) were: ''Quarterly, 1. quarterly Castile and Navarra; 2. per pale Aragon and per pale Leon and Jerusalem; 3. per pale, a. per pale Hungary and Aragon, b. Aragon-Sicily; 4. quarterly Castile and Leon; ente' en klpoint Granada.The arms used in Aragon were either Aragon, or per pale, Castile-Leon and Aragon or tierced per pale, Hungary, Anjou-Naples and Jerusalem. In Naples, the arms were Quarterly, 1 and 4, Castile-Leon, 2. per pale Aragon and per pale Jerusalem-Hungary; 3. per pale Aragon and Aragon-Sicily.''

The imperial arms used after 1530 were:

''quarterly: 1 and 4. Spain, which is quarterly A and D. Castile-Leon, B. per pale a. per fess Aragon and Navarra, b. per pale Jerusalem and Hungary; C. per pale a. per fess Aragon and Navarra, b. Aragon-Sicily. 2 and 3. Austria, which is quarterly Austria, Bourgogone modern, Bourgogne ancient and Brabant. Ente' en point Granada. Overall an escutcheon per pale Flanders and Tryol. The arms are borne by an imperial double-headed eagle sable, surmounted by an imperial crown, surrounded with the dollar of the Golden fleece and accompanied by the pillars of Hercules and the motto PLUS ULTRA.''

On down to Juan Carlos used as personal arms those of the alst kings of Spain, Alfonso XII and Alfonso XIII, with the closed crown and the color of the Golden Fleece. The same arms without the French escutcheon were already in use in the last years of the ranco regime as abbreviated arms. By a law of Oct. 5, 1981, Franco's national arms were abolished aht the following stte arms were adopted namely:

Quarterly Castile, Leon, Aragon and Navarra, en surtout Anjou (France with a bordure gules); closed crown, pillars of Hercules.

Quarters:

Castile: Gules, a castle triple-towered or, pierced and ajoure azure.

Leon: Argen, a lion purpure (or gules) crowned or.

Aragon: Or, four pallets gules.

Aragon-Sicily: quarterly per saltire, in chief and base Aragon and in flanks Argent, an eagle displayed sable.

Granada: Argent, a pomegranate gules leafed vert.

Navarra: Gules, a cross, saltire and orle of chains linked together or.

Hungary: bary of eight argent and gules.

Anjou-Naples: Azure, on a semis of fleurs-de-lys or a label gules.

Jerusalem: Argent, a cross potent beween four crosslets or.

Austria: Gules, a fess argent.

Bourgogne ancient: bendy of 6 or and azure, a bordure gules.

Bourgogne modern: Azure, on a semis of fleurs-de-lys or a bordure compony argent and gules.

Brabant: Sable, a lion rampant or.

Flanders: Or, a lion rampant sable.

Tirol: Argent, an eagle displayed gules, crowned and bearing Klee-stengeln on the wings or.

Portugal: Argeny, five escutcheons in cross azure in each as many plates in saltire, within a bordure gules thereon seven castles or.

Anjou: Azure, three fleurs-de-lis or within a bordure gules.

Franese: Or, six fleurs-de-lis 3, 2 and one azure.

Medici: Or, six balls 1, 2, 2 and 1, that in chief of France, the others gules.

France Imperial: Azure, an imperial eagle or.

Spain's recent history is interesting as it moved from the Bourbon Dynasty to a brief First Spanish Republic, in September 1873, to a coup d'etat which restored the Bourbon dynasty in 1874 until 1931. Local and municipal elections produced candidates favoring an end to the monarchy and establishing a republic. King Alfonso XIII (lucky 13) went into exile but did not abdicate. The provisional government was set up into a short-lived Second Spanish Republic which evolved, after the Spanish Civil War of 1936-39, into a Nationalist Facist government under General Francisco Franco – who was aided directly by Fascist Italy and Nazi Germany during the Civil War.

In 1947, after 16 years without a monarchy or kingdom, Franco made Spain a Kingdom, who claimed to rule through a coalition of the Flange political party, supporters of the Bourbon royal family, and the Carlists, until his death in 1975. Before Franco died he appointed Prince Juan Carolos I de Borbon (the younger brother of Ferdinand VII and the heir to the crown, per Salic Law) as his successor, who presided over Spain's transition from dictatorship to democracy by fully endorsing politcal reforms. In 1978 the then King Juan Carlos signed into law the new liberal democratic Constitution of Saping, which was approved by 88% of voters. He also successfully survived an attempted coup in 1981, and worked toward estasblishing reliable political customs when transitioning one government administration to another, emphasizing constitutional law and protocol while professionally maintaining a non-partisan and yet independent constitutional monarchy.

According to the Spanish Constitution voted in referendum, the sovereignty power emanates from the people, so it's the very same people who give the king the power to reign. And 'National Sovereignty' belongs to the self-same Spanish people, from whom all State powers emanate.

June 19, 2014 King Felipe VI took over from his father Juan Carlos as the monarch of Spain.

(Sources include Spanish Constitution of 1978, http://www.boe.es/legislacion/documentos/ ConstitucionINGLES.pdf ; Boletin Oficial del Estado (BOE) & http:en.wikisource.org/wiki/Spanish _Constitution_of_1978/Preliminary_Title; PDF in English; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monarchy _of_Spain; and http://www.heraldica.org/topics/national/spain.html .)

Swedish - Swedish heraldry is from the German-Nordic tradition, noted for its multiple helms and crests treated as inseparable from the shield, as well as repetition of colors and charges between the shield and the crest, and a scant use of heraldic furs.

Heraldic differences between Scandinavian countries is a more recent development, due to the history of the region being so interwined. Swedish and Finnish heraldry have a shared history prior to the Diet of Porvoo in 1809,; these, together with Danish heraldry, were heavily influenced by German heraldry. Unlike the highly stylized language (Norman French) of English heraldry, Swedish is blazoned in the Swedish language, in most cases.

The earliest achievements of arms in Sweden are those of 1219 for two brothers, Sigtrygg and Lars Bengtsson. The earliest civic example is a city seal from 1247 (Kalmar: Argent, a tower embattled gules, with door and windows Or, issuing from a wavy base azure, between two mullets of six points gules.). Seals were extensively used in the Middle Ages, was instrumental in spreading heraldry to churches, local governments and other institutions. Armorial seals of noblewomen appeared in the 12th Century, burghers and artisans began adopting arms in the 13th Century, and even some peasants took arms in the 14th Century.

Today, heraldry in Sweden is mostly corporate and governmental, with the rights of these private entities and official bodies upheld by Swedish law. To become legally registered and protected under Swedish law, an official coat of arms needs to be registered with the Swedish Patent and Registration Office (PRV), and is subject to approval by the National Herald (Statsheraldiker) and the beaurucratic Heraldic Board of the National Archives of Sweden. Heraldic arms of common citizens (burgher arms), are less strictly controlled and regulated. These are recognized by inclusion in the annual Scandinavian Roll of Arms.

Common features of Swedish heraldry are similar to those of other Nordic countries and Germany distinguished from Gallo-British heraldry and other heraldic traditions by several keky elements of heraldic style. As mentioned above, one of these is the use of multiple helms and crests, which cannot be displayed separately from the main shield. The multiple helmets and crests are considered just as important as the shield, each denoting a fief over which the bearer holds a right. In Scandinavia (as distinct from the German custom), when an even number of helmets is displayed, they are usually turned, with their crests, to face outward; when an odd number, the center helm is trurned affronte' and the rest turned outward (whereas in Germany the helmets are turned inward to face the center of the escutcheon). Additionally, crests are often repetitive of charges used on the main shield, and marks of cadency typically occur in the crest, rather than on the shield as in Gallo-British heraldry. Also the use of heraldic furs on the shield, while coming in Gallo-British heraldry, is rare in the German-Nordic tradition. Furs in Scandinavia are generally limited to ermine and vair, which sometimes appear in mantling, supporters, or the trimmings of crowns, but rarely on the shield.

The most common charges in Swedish heraldry include lions and eagles. Additional animals include griffins and (especially in the northern provinces) reindeer. Stars are common and are usually depicted with six-points and straight sides, in contrast to the five-pointed straight-sided star (mullet) or as a six-pointed wavy-sided star (estoile). These stars are usually described as “six-pointed stars” (sexuddig stjarna). In terms of blazoning, Swedish heraldry is described in plain terms using common Swedish language, rather than Norman-French. Also canting arms occur frequently.

The five basic colors and two metals (Blue, Red, Green, Purple, Black & Gold, Silver) in Swedish are: Bla, Rod, Gron, Purpur, Svart and Guld (gul), Silver (vit); instead of the Norman-French versions (Azure, Gules, Vert, Purpure, Sable & Or, Argent).

The same holds for ordinaries: Pale is Stolpe, Fess is Bjalke, Bend is Balk, Bend sinister is Ginbalk, Cross is Kors, Saltire is Andreaskors, Chevron is Sparre, Bourdure is Bard, etc.

The greater national arms (stora riksvapnet) originated in 1448 and has remained unchanged in Swedish law since 1943. Since 1523 it has been customary in Sweden to display the arms of the ruling dynasty as an inescutcheon in the center of the greater arms.

The coat of arms of Queen Silvia of Sweden is similar to the greater arms of Sweden, but without the ermine mantling, and with the central inescutcheon exchanged for her personal arms: Per pale gules and Or, a fleur-de-lis countchanged. The shield in encircled by an azure ribbon with dependent cross of the Order of the Seraphim.

The lesser arms of Sweden (lilla riksvapnet) is blazoned: Azure, ith three coronets Or, ordered two above one; crowned with a royal crown. This is the emblem used by the government and its agencies; it is, for example, embroidered on all Swedish police uniforms. The three crowns have been a national symbol of Sweden for centuries; historians can trace the use of the symbol back to the royal seal of Albrecht of Mecklenburg (1338 - 1412), and even earlier. The three crowns have been recognized as the official arms of Sweden since the 14th Century. The earliest credible attribution fo the three crowns is to Magnus Eriksson, who reigned Norway and Sweden, and in 1330s, bought Scania from Denmark.

Ecclesiastical heraldry (Church of Sweden)

The Church of Sweden (Svenska kyrkan) was the national church until 2000. The arms of the church have been found displayed on a 14th Century heraldic flag discovered in Uppsala cathedral and is blazoned: Or, upon a cross gules, a crown Or. The crown has long been said to represent St. Erik, but in 2005 the church adopted a “new interpretation” calling it the vicgtory crown of Christ (Kristi segerkrona). The Church of Sweden also has many dioceses and parishes with their own arms.

Bishops traditionally marshall the diocese arms with their own personal arms, adding a mitre in place of the helm and a crosier displayed behind the shield, but these are removed when the Bishop retires. The cross staff or 'primate cross' is used only by the Archbishop of Uppsala and Bishop of Lund, Bishop Antje Jackele'n of Lund uses the traditional oval shield of a woman's arms, and her arms were designed by the dicese's heraldist, Jan Raneke, who also designed the arms of her predecessor, Christina Odenberg, who was the first female bishop in the history of the Church of Sweden.

Swiss - Of 26 cantons in Switzerland, today, each has an official flag and coat of arms. The history and development of these span from the 13th Century to the 20th Century. Historically, the region we know now as Switzerland had eight cantons from 1352 to 1481, then 13 of the Swiss Confederacy from 1513 to 1798, a jump to 20 cantons from 198 to 1803, and 22 cantons during 1848 to 1978 included three cantons divided in half each, 23 from 1979-1999, and now at 26 cantons.

Twenty-two cantonal coats of arms as they stood with the creation of Switzerland as a federal state in 1848, six are simple bicolor designs, one more is bicolor but adds an inscription. The remaining 15 include heraldic designs: The coats of arms of the 13 Cantons were based on war flags and emblems used for seals. A distinction was made for war flags (banners and Fahnlein – the former as the large war flag used only in the case of a full levy for a major conflict; the latter a smaller flag used for minor expeditions). The banner was considered a sacred possession, usually kept in a church. Losing the banner to an enemy force was a great shame and invited mockery from other cantons and enemies alike.
 * The Swiss cross in two flags, one on a solid red field (Schwyz), and one in the corner of the 'revolutionary' tricolor (Neuchatel)
 * Seven flags use heraldic animals: - the bear for Bern and for Appenzell  - the bull for Uri  - the ram for schaffhausen  - the ibex for Graubunden  - the eagle for Geneva  - two lions for Thurgau
 * the bishop's crozier or Baslerstab	for Basel and Jura
 * the image of a pilgrim (St. Fridolin) for Glarus
 * a key for Unterwalden and for Geneva
 * the fasces for St. Gallen
 * stars for Valais and Aargau, the latter with additional wavy lines	representing rivers

Pope Julius II recognized the support he received fromo Swiss mercenaries against France in 1512 granted the Swiss the title of Ecclesiasticae libertatis defensores (Church Liberty Defenders) and gave them two large banners, besides a blessed sword and hat. Papal legate Matthias Schiner in addition gave to the Swiss cantons and their associates a total of 42 costly silk banners with augmentations, the so-called Juliusbanner. Some of the banners survive, of the cantonal ones notably those of Zurich and Solothurn.

The arranging of cantonal insignia in shields (escutcheons) as coats of arms arises in the late 15th Century. The Tagsatzung in Baden was presented with stained glass representations of all cantons about 1501. In these designs, two cantonal escutcheons were shown side by side, below a shield bearing the Imperial Eagle and a crown, flanked by two banner-bearers. Based on these, there arose a tradition of representing cantonal arms in stained glass (Standesscheiben), alive throughout the early modern period and continued in the modern state.

(Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flags_and_arms_of_cantons_of_Switzerland )

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