| Acacia Branch or Leaves |
Eternal and affectionate remembrance |
| Acorn |
Antiquity and strength. |
Agricultural Tools |
Labouring in the earth and depending upon providence; see also Scythe and Sickle |
| Alisaunder (Similar to laurel) |
Peace and/or triumph. |
| Allerion (Mythical creature, similar to an eagle, but without beak or claws) |
Strength of will and authority of mind. |
Anchor |
Hope; religious steadfastness |
Angels
(See Sample Angels) |
Dignity, glory, and honour; missionary; bearer of joyful news |
Annulet
(finger ring) |
Fidelity |
| Ant |
Great labour, wisdom, and providence in one's affairs |
Antelope (heraldic) |
A mythical animal with the body of a stag, the tail of a unicorn, a tusk at the tip of the nose,
tufts down the back of the neck, chest, and thighs (usually represented with two straight horns serrated on one side) |
| Antlers |
Strength and fortitude |
| Anvil |
Honour; emblem of the smith's trade |
| Apple |
Liberality, felicity, and peace |
Arm (or Hand) in Armour or Embowed  |
A person with qualities of leadership |
| Arm, Naked |
An industrious person |
| Arrow or Dart |
Readiness (for battle); if depicted with a cross, represents an affliction |
| Ass |
Patience and humility |
Axe
(Also Halbert, Halberd, Hatchet) |
Execution of military duty |
| Baguette (gem ring) |
Fidelity |
Banderole |
See Banners |
| Banners (See banderole) |
Refer to special action in which bearer was captured, or a reward for valiant service |
| Bar, Barry, or Barrulet |
"One who sets the bar of conscience, religion, and honour against angry passions and evil temptations"
acc. to Guillim |
| Barry Wavy |
Troubles keep us in continuous exercise and reminders of providence (as waves in a storm at sea) |
| Bat |
Awareness of the powers of darkness and chaos. |
| Baton |
Token of authority |
| Battle Axe (See Axe) |
Execution of military duty |
| Bay Leaves |
Poet or victor's laurel |
Beacon
(Also Lantern or Lighthouse) |
One who is watchful, who gave the signal in time of danger |
Bear   |
Strength, cunning, ferocity in the protection of one's kindred |
Beaver |
Industry and perseverance |
Bee  |
Efficient industry |
Bells |
Power to disperse evil spirits; a hawk's bells denotes one who was not afraid of signalling his approach
in peace or war |
Bend/Bendy |
Scarf or shield suspender of a knight commander; signifies defense or protection |
| Berries |
Liberality, felicity, and peace |
Bezant/Byzantine Coin
(Also Besant; Gold Roundle) |
Worthy of trust of treasure. |
| Billet/Billettee |
Bricks or letters (correspondence); one who obtained credence, knowledge, and faith in his words
and deeds; one who is secret in one's affairs. |
| Birdbolt (See Arrow) |
Small arrow with blunt head. |
Bishop's Mitre  |
Authority |
| Blasted |
Tree without leaves, withered |
Boar  |
Bravery; fights to the death |
Boar's Head |
Hospitality |
| Bonacon (See Bull) |
Bull with horse's tail and short mane. |
Bomb (Mortar piece) |
One who has dared the terror of such a weapon in battle |
| Bones (crossed thighbones) |
Mortality |
Book
(See Sample Books and Bibles) |
If open, manifestation; if closed, counsel |
| Border |
Difference between relatives bearing the same arms; also an augmentation of an honour |
| Bourdon |
See pilgrim's or palmer's staff -- knob at upper end, point at bottom, hook near top |
Bow |
Readiness (for battle) |
| Bow and Arrow |
War, power, ability to hit a target |
| Braced |
Interlaced |
Bracket |
May be single or double; right angle-shaped support, as in a shelf support |
Bridge |
Governor or magistrate |
| Broom Plant |
Humility |
Buck |
One who will not fight unless provoked; peace and harmony |
Buckle  |
Victorious fidelity in authority |
| Buglass (purple quatrefoil) |
Hope and joy. |
Bull/Buffalo  |
Valour, bravery, generosity |
Bull's Head |
Valour, bravery, generosity |
| Bull's Horns |
Strength and fortitude |
Butterfly |
Psyche or Soul |
| Cadences (Marks of Cadences) |
Used to differentiate the heirs in a family.. see Marks of Cadency web page |
Caduceus |
Homeopathic medicine; medical profession; balance and the union of opposing forces |
Caltrap |
|
| Candle (Lamp) |
Light, life, and spirituality. |
| Camel |
Docility, patience, and perseverance |
Cannon and Cannon Balls |
One who has dared the terror of such a weapon in battle |
Candle (Lamp) |
Light, life, and spirituality |
| Canton |
As in a flag borne at the top corner of the shield; reward from the sovereign for performance of
eminent service |
Cap of Maintenance |
Granted to British peers and Scottish feudal barons (see "Chapeau") |
| Carnation |
Admiration |
| Carpenter's Square |
Conforming one's actions to the laws of right and equity |
Castle (Tower/Chateau)  |
Safety |
Cat 
(Also Wildcat or Lynx) |
Liberty, vigilance, forecast, and courage |
Catherine Wheel |
One prepared to undergo great trials for the Christian faith |
| Centaur |
Eminence in the field of battle |
| Chains |
Reward for acceptable and weighty service; with crowns and collars, this suggests the bearer bore
the chain of obligation or obliged others because of services done |
| Chapeau (See also "cap of maintenance") |
Granted to British peers and Scottish feudal barons |
Chaplet (Floral)  |
Usually with green leaves and four roses: the crown of joy and admiration |
| Chequy |
Constancy |
Cherubs & Cherubim
(See Sample Angels) |
Dignity, glory, and honour; missionary; bearer of joyful news |
| Chess Rook |
Strategic thinking |
Chevron |
Protection; Builders or others who have accomplished some work of faithful service |
| Chief |
Top one-third of the shield; signifies dominion and authority; often granted as a special reward
for prudence and wisdom or successful command in war |
Chough (Cornish Crow) |
Strategist in battle; watchful for friends |
Church
(See Sample Churches) |
Religion; faith; community |
Cinquefoils  |
Hope and joy |
| Civic Wreath (of oak leaves and acorns) |
One who saved a fellow citizen's life or shown patriotism in defense of one's native land |
Clarion |
Ready for war |
| Claw of a Bird |
Note the preyer that has been preyed upon |
| Clouds |
Mystery, obscured truth |
Cock (male bird) |
Courage and perseverance; hero; able man in politics |
Cockatrice
(small serpent) |
Terror to all beholders |
Column |
Fortitude and constancy; with serpent coiled around it, wisdom with fortitude |
Comet |
Unknown |
| Compass |
Direction |
| Compony or Gobony |
Constancy |
| Cornish Chough (crow, raven; See "chough") |
Strategist in battle; watchful for friends; divine providence |
Cornucopia (horn of plenty) |
The bounty of nature's gifts |
| Cottice/Cotice (bendlet) |
Scarf or shield suspender of a knight commander; signifies defense or protection |
Coupeaux |
(Hills - usually three) Unknown; may be purely an artistic device |
| Crane (Stork) |
Close parental bond; Vigilance if holding a rock |
Crescent |
One who has been honored by the sovereign; hope of greater glory (horns to the chief) |
| Cresset (See "Beacon") |
One who is watchful, who gave the signal in time of danger |
Crosier/shepherd's crook |
The shepherd's watchfulness; Christian faith; pastoral authority; also Episcopal jurisdiction and
authority |
Cross
(See Examples) |
Faith; Christianity; Service in the Crusades |
| Cross (Celtic) |
Unity of heaven and earth |
| Cross (Constantine's; Labarum) |
Good omen; Christ; Christianity |
| Cross Crosslet |
Signifies the fourfold mystery of the cross |
| Cross Crosslet Fitchee |
A combination of cross and sword; unshakeable faith |
Cross Flory
(Patoncee) |
(cross flowered at each end) One who has conquered |
| Cross Formee (Pattee) |
Military honour |
| Cross (Maltese) |
Blessings; badge of Knights Hospitalier |
| Cross Moline |
The mutual converse of human society (said to represent a millstone) |
| Cross Raguly |
Difficulties encountered |
| Cross Roucy |
Faith |
| Crossed thighbones |
Mortality |
| Crow (See also "Chough") |
Strategist in battle; watchful for friends; divine providence |
Crown
(See Examples) |
Royal or seigniorial authority |
| Crown (Mural) |
Defender of a fortress, token of civic honour; one who first mounted the breach in the walls of a
fortress |
| Crown (Naval) |
One who first boarded an enemy's ship; distinguished naval commander |
| Crown of thorns |
Adversity |
Cup (often covered) |
Office of the king's butler |
Cushions |
Authority |
| Cygnet (young swan) |
Where gorged with a crown around its neck, signifies dignity |
| Cypress |
Death and eternal life thereafter |
Dagger or dart |
Justice and military honour |
| Dawle (black quatrefoil) |
Hope and joy |
Decrescent |
One who has been honored by the sovereign; hope of greater glory (crescent with horns to the sinister) |
Deer |
One who will not fight unless provoked; peace and harmony |
| Dice |
Constancy |
Dog |
Courage, vigilance, and loyalty |
Dolphin  |
Swiftness, diligence, salvation, charity, and love |
Dove   |
Loving constancy and peace; the Holy Spirit; with an olive branch in its bill, it signifies a harbinger
of good tidings |
Dragon
(See Examples) |
Valiant defender of treasure; valour and protection |
Drops (Guttees) |
One who has endured torrents of liquids, as in battle, depending upon the color of the liquid.
Yellow:
gold
Blue: tears
Green: oil
White: water
Black: pitch or tar
Red: blood |
Drum |
Ready for war |
Duck 
(Also Teal) |
Person of many resources |
Eagle
(See Examples) |
Person of noble nature, strength, bravery, and alertness; or one who is high-spirited, ingenious,
quick-witted, and judicious; "True magnanimity and strength of mind" acc. to Guillim.
If wings "displayed," it signifies
protection |
| Eagle with two heads |
Conjoining of two forces |
| Elephant |
Great strength, wit, longevity, happiness, royalty, good luck, and ambition |
| Enfield |
Mythical beast said to have protected fallen chieftains' bodies for proper burial |
Ermine Spot |
Mark of dignity |
| Escallop (scallop shell) |
Traveller to far places or victorious naval commander |
Escarbuncle |
Supremacy; brilliant gem |
| Escutcheon or small shield, alone, with no charges |
Defense |
| Escutcheon of Pretence |
(Small shield in center of primary shield.) Claim of a prince to sovereignty; or marriage to an heiress
of the family |
Estoile (star with six wavy points) |
Celestial goodness; noble person |
| Eye |
Providence in government |
Falcon (Hawk)
(See Examples) |
One who does not rest until objective achieved |
Fasces |
A bundle or rods tied together around an axe, with the blade projecting out; Symbol of a magistrate's
authority and the judiciary. (It appears on the reverse side of the U.S. Liberty-head dime.) |
| Feathers |
(usually ostrich feathers) Sign of obedience and serenity |
Fer de moline
(millrind) |
Center of the millstone, by which it is turned |
Fess/Fesse |
Military belt or girdle of honour; represents readiness to serve the public |
| Fetterlock |
Victory; one who has taken prisoners or rescued prisoners of war |
| Fife |
Ready for war |
| Finger, pointing |
Direction; correct route |
Fire
(See also sample Firefighting Symbols) |
Zealousness |
| Fish |
A true, generous mind; virtuous for himself, not because of his heritage; also unity with Christ,
spiritual nourishment |
| Flag or Pennant |
Refers to special action in which bearer was captured, or a reward for valiant service |
Flanchi/flasque/flanches
(Also flaunches) |
Given by a king for virtue and learning |
| Fleece (lamb's) |
Ancient honour from the knightly order of the Fleece of Gold |
Fleur-de-lis
(See Examples) |
Purity; light; floral badge of France; represents sixth son as mark of difference |
| Flint stone |
Readiness for zealous service |
| Flowers |
Hope and joy |
| Fountain |
Usually a roundle, crossed with wavy bars of blue and white; represents water, a spring |
| Fox |
One who will use all that he/she may possess of wisdom and wit in his/her own defense |
| Fraises |
Strawberries; usually refers to the cinquefoil |
Fret
(saltire through
a mascle) |
(Also, fretty or latticework)
Persuasion |
| Fruit |
Felicity and peace |
Fusil
(narrow lozenge) |
Travel and labour |
| Fusil of Yarn (yarn with the spindle) |
Negotiation |
| Galley |
See Ship |
| Gannet (duck without beak or legs) |
One who has to subsist by virtue and merit |
| Garb (wheatsheaf) |
The harvest of one's hopes has been secured |
| Gauntlet |
Armed for the performance of martial enterprise |
| Gavel |
Justice; legal authority |
| Gem or Jewel |
Supremacy |
| Gillyflower (tawney quatrefoil) |
Hope and joy |
| Globe |
Worldliness; world travel |
| Goat |
One who wins through politics rather than war |
| Gobony or Gobbony |
Constancy |
| Goose |
Resourcefulness |
| Gorged (around neck) |
High dignity |
| Grapes |
Liberality, felicity, and peace; also, association with wine-making |
Grasshopper |
Noble and home-bred |
| Grenade |
One who has dared the terror of such a weapon in battle |
| Greyhound |
Courage, vigilance, and loyalty |
| Griffin |
(Head, wings, and talons of an eagle with the body of a lion); Valour and death-defying bravery;
vigilance |
Gyronny |
Unity (six- or eight-part division of the shield) |
| Hammer |
Honour; emblem of the smith's trade |
| Hand |
Pledge of faith, sincerity, and justice;
two right hands conjoined represent union and alliance |
| Hand, red |
Mark of a baronet |
| Hare |
One who enjoys a peaceable and retired life |
| Harp |
Well-composed person of tempered judgment; contemplation; mystical bridge between heaven and earth |
Harpy
(virgin's face, neck and breast with the body of a lion) |
Ferocity under provocation |
| Hart (male deer) |
Peace and harmony |
| Hawk (Falcon) |
One who does not rest until objective achieved |
| Hawks' lures: |
One who is fond of the highest pursuits, such as hunting and falconry |
| Hazel branch or leaves |
Hope and joy |
| Head (Human) |
Honour; if the head of a "blackamoor" or Moor, refers to deeds of prowess in the Crusades |
| Heart, Flaming |
Intense, burning affection |
| Heart, Human |
Charity and sincerity |
| Hedgehog |
"Provident provider" acc. to Sloane Evans |
| Helmet |
When depicted on the shield, denotes wisdom and security in defense; strength, protection, invulnerability |
| Hind (female deer) |
Peace and harmony |
| Holly |
Truth |
| Horns |
Strength and fortitude |
Horse (See also Seahorse)
See Sample Horses |
Readiness for all employments for king and country |
| Horseshoe |
Good luck and safeguard against evil spirits |
| Hourglass |
Flight of time; mortality |
| Housemark |
Presumably adopted by the bearers as forms of unique identification of European homes |
Huitfoil
(double quatrefoil) |
Mark of cadency for the ninth son |
| Human Head |
Honour (if the head of a Blackamoor, it refers to deeds of prowess in the Crusades) |
| Humettee |
Describes an element that does not touch the sides of the shield |
| Hunting Horn |
One who is fond of the chase, of high pursuits |
| Hydra (dragon with seven heads) |
Conquest of a very powerful enemy |
| Increscent/Increment |
One who has been honored by the sovereign; hope of greater glory (crescent with horns to the dexter) |
| Inescutcheon |
See "Escutcheon of Pretence" |
| Ivy Leaves |
Strong and lasting friendship |
| Inkhorn or Inkwell |
Art of writing and educated employment |
| Jessamine (white quatrefoil) |
Hope and joy |
| Jessant de lis |
With a fleur-de-lis shooting out, i.e., from the mouth of a leopard or lion; Represents dominion
over France. |
| Keys |
Guardianship and dominion |
| Knight (especially on horseback) |
The soul guiding the body; man's journey through life |
| Labarum (Constantine's Cross) |
Good omen; Christianity |
Label  |
Indicates first-born. See Marks of Cadency |
| Ladder (Scaling Ladder) |
One who was fearless in attacking; if against a tower, be on guard against spiritual and corporeal
enemies |
| Lamb or Ewe |
Gentleness and patience under suffering |
Lamb carrying staff or banner with a cross
(paschal lamb) |
Faith; innocence, bravery, gentleness, purity, resolute spirit |
Lamp/Lantern
(See also "Candle")  |
Light, life, and spirituality |
| Lance or Javelin |
The perfection of martial affairs; emblem of knightly service; devotion to honour |
| Laurel Leaves |
Peace and/or triumph |
| Leg |
Strength, stability, and expedition |
| Leopard or Ounce |
Valiant and hardy warrior who enterprises hazardous things by force and courage |
| Leopard's head swallowing a fleur-de-lis (jessant) |
Represents the lion of England swallowing the lily of France |
| Letter (i.e., A, B, C) |
May represent great battles or tournaments beginning with that letter |
| Level |
Equity and upright action; virtuous person |
| Lightning Bolt |
Swiftness and power |
| Lily |
Purity; see "Fleur-de-lis" |
| Linden branch or leaves |
Hope and joy |
Lion
(See Sample Lions) |
Dauntless courage |
| Lion, heraldic |
Bravery, strength, ferocity, and valour |
Lozenge or Lozengy
 |
Constancy |
| Lunel (Four crescent moons facing each other) |
One who has been honored by the sovereign; hope of greater glory |
| Lure (hawk's) |
One who is fond of the highest pursuits, such as hunting and falconry |
| Lymphad |
See Ship |
| Lyre |
Contemplation; tempered judgment |
| Man |
Various meanings |
| Marigold |
Devotion and piety |
Martlet
(footless swallow) |
Symbol of the fourth son (mark of difference); may signify one who has to subsist by virtue and merit,
not inheritance |
Mascle
(hollowed out lozenge) |
Persuasive |
| Mastiff |
Courage, vigilance, and loyalty |
| Matches |
(Usually in a roll and fired) Possible reference ot one who has dared the terror of such a weapon
in battle |
| Maunch (lady's sleeve) |
"For my lady's sake" |
| Mermaid |
Eloquence |
| Millpick |
Miller's tool |
Millrind
(or millstone) |
The mutual converse of human society; miller's tool |
Mitre (Bishop's) |
Authority |
| Mole |
Unknown |
| Monkey |
Unknown |
| Moon |
Serene power over mundane actions |
| Moor/Saracen/Turk |
Dates back to the Middle Ages when it was considered an honor to take a Moor's head |
| Moor fowl or Moor-cock |
Association with the law or the legal profession |
| Mortar Piece |
One who has dared the terror of such a weapon in battle |
Mount/Mound
(See "Coupeaux") |
(Rounded terrace at base of the shield) Unknown; may be purely an artistic device |
| Mulberries |
Liberality, felicity, and peace |
| Mule |
Often borne by abbots and abbesses who have pastoral jurisdiction, but not real jurisdiction |
Mullet
(Star) |
Divine quality from above; mark of third son |
| Musical Pipes |
Festivity and rejoicing |
| Oak Garb or Sheaf |
The harvest of one's hopes has been secured |
| Oak Tree, Leaves, Bush |
Great age and strength |
| Oak Tree/Bush with Acorns |
Continuous growth and fertility |
| Olive Branch or Leaves |
Peace and concordance |
| Orle |
Circle of something; Preservation or protection |
| Ostrich/Ostrich plumes |
Willing obedience and serenity |
| Otter |
One who lives life to the fullest |
| Owl |
One who is vigilant and of acute wit |
| Ox |
Valour and generosity |
Pale/Palet/Pallet/Paly
 |
Military strength |
| Palm Branch |
Victory, justice, and royal honour |
| Palm Tree |
Righteousness and resurrection; victory |
| Panther |
Fierce, but tender and loving to children and will defend her children with her life |
| Parchment/Scroll/Diploma |
Possible reference to academic or scholarly achievement |
| Parrot |
Unknown |
Paschal Lamb |
Faith, innocence, bravery, gentleness, purity, resolute spirit |
| Passion Nails |
Token of poignant suffering undergone by the bearer |
| Pavilion |
Readiness for battle |
Peacock |
Beauty, power, and knowledge |
Peacock Feather |
Beauty, power, and knowledge |
| Pears |
Felicity and peace |
| Pegasus |
Poetic genius and inspiration; messenger of God |
Pelican |
Self-sacrifice and charitable nature; When feeding her young ("in her piety"), symbolizes the duties
of a parent or parental love |
| Pen |
Art of writing and educated employment |
| Pennon or Flag |
Refers to some special action in which it was captured or as a reward for gallant service |
| Periwinkle (blue quatrefoil) |
Hope and joy |
| Pheasant |
Person of many resources |
Pheon
(Spear-head) |
Dexterity and nimble wit; readiness for battle |
| Phoenix |
Symbol of resurrection |
| Pig |
Fertility |
| Pike (Fish) |
A true, generous mind; virtuous for himself, not because of his heritage; also unity with Christ,
spiritual nourishment. |
Pile |
Represents large pieces of wood used in building bridges; engineering skills, builder; May represent
a pennon or flag |
Pilgrim's Stave/
Palmer's Stave |
The shepherd's watchfulness; Christian faith; pastoral authority; also may refer to early pilgrimages
to Jerusalem |
| Pillar |
Fortitude and constancy; with serpent coiled around it, wisdom with fortitude |
| Pincers |
Honour; emblem of the smith's trade |
| Pine |
Death and eternal life thereafter |
| Pine Cone |
Life |
| Pipes (music) |
Festivity and rejoicing |
| Pitcher |
Office of service |
| Plant |
Hope and joy |
| Plow or Ploughshare |
Labouring in the earth and depending upon providence |
| Plume of feathers |
Sign of willing obedience and serenity of mind |
| Plummet |
Equity and upright action; virtuous person |
| Pomegranate Fruit |
Fertility and abundance |
| Poplar leaves |
Hope and joy |
| Poppy (sanguine quatrefoil) |
Hope and joy |
Portcullis (castle gate) |
Protection in an emergency |
Proboscides |
Elephant trunks; usually represented in pairs; the elephant symbolizes longevity, strength, royalty,
dignity, patience, wisdom, happiness, and good luck |
Quatrefoil (Primrose) |
Brings good tidings |
| Rabbit (Conie) |
One who enjoys a peaceable and retired life |
| Rainbow |
Good times after bad |
| Ram |
Authority |
| Rat |
Unknown |
| Ratch-hound (small hound) |
Loyalty, courage, and vigilance |
| Raven |
Divine providence |
| Ray or Rayonnee |
Glory and spendour; fountain of life; intelligence and enlightenment |
| Rhinoceros |
Ferocious when aroused |
| Rock |
Safety and protection; refuge |
Rose |
Mark of the seventh son; Hope and joy; see also meanings for specific colors of roses |
| Rose, Red |
Grace and beauty |
| Rose, White |
Love and faith |
Roundles |
Gold or yellow: bezants or byzantine coins (worthy of trust or treasure)
White: plate (generosity)
Green: pomme (apple)
Purple: golpe (wounded)
Blue: hurt or wortleberry
Black: pellet, ogress, or gunstone
(cannon ball)
Red: torteau (communion wafer or manchet cake)
Tawney: orange (tennis ball) |
| Sabre (See Sword) |
Justice and/or military honour |
| Saddle |
Preparedness for active service |
| Salamander |
Protection |
| Salmon (See Fish) |
|
Saltire |
(St. Andrew's Cross) Resolution |
| Savage/Saracen |
Believed to be related to service in the Crusades |
| Scales |
Justice |
| Scallop Shell |
See "Escallop" |
| Sceptre |
The emblem of justice |
| Scythe or Sickle |
The hope of a fruitful harvest |
| Sea horse |
Power of the water |
| Seal/Sea lion |
Dauntless courage at sea |
| Seraphim |
(angel with three pairs of wings) Dignity, glory, and honour; missionary; bearer of joyful news |
Serpent/Snake/Lizard |
Wisdom |
| Shacklebolt |
Victory; one who has taken prisoners or rescued prisoners of war |
| Shamrock |
Perpetuity; floral device of Ireland; also see Trefoil. |
| Shield |
When borne on the arms, represents the defender |
| Ship |
Ancient sea voyages |
| Ship, Dismasted |
Disaster at sea |
| Shutle (Weaver's Shuttle) |
Reference to the bearer's profession; i.e., textiles |
| Skull |
Mortality |
| Snail |
Deliberation and perseverance |
| Snake |
Wisdom (see also Serpent) |
| Spear/Pike |
Honourable warrior; valiant knight |
| Spear-heads (Pheons) |
Dexterity and nimble wit; readiness for battle |
| Sphere |
Geographical or scientific reference |
| Sphinx |
Omniscience and secrecy |
| Spider |
Wisdom, labour, and prudence |
| Spur or Spur Rowel |
Preparedness for active service; pressing onward |
| Square Symbols |
Constancy |
| Squirrel |
Lover of the woods |
Stag
(Also Reindeer) |
One who will not fight unless provoked; peace and harmony |
| Stag's Antlers |
Strength and fortitude |
| Star (estoile or mullet) |
Celestial goodness; noble person |
| Steel |
Readiness for zealous service |
| Stirrup |
Preparedness for active service |
| Stool |
Hospitality |
| Stork |
Filial duty; close parental bond; If holding a rock, symbolizes vigilance |
| Sun |
Glory and splendour; fountain of life |
| Swallow |
One who is prompt and ready in doing business; also bringer of good news |
Swan |
Poetic harmony and learning, or lover thereof; light, love, grace, sincerity, perfection |
Sword/Dagger/Dart
Sabre/Scimitar |
Justice and military honour |
| Table |
Hospitality |
| Tabor |
Festivity and rejoicing; dangerous if aroused |
Talbot (hunting dog) |
Courage, vigilance, and loyalty |
| Tent |
Readiness for battle |
| Terrace |
Unknown; May be purely an artistic device |
Tiger |
Fierceness and valour; resentment; dangerous if aroused |
| Torch |
Life; zealousness; engaging in signal service; truth and intelligence |
| Tortoise |
Invulnerability to attack |
| Tower |
Safety and grandeur |
| Tree Trunk/Stump/Branch |
New life sprouting from the old |
| Tree |
Life and the mystical connection of the earth with heaven and the underworld |
Trefoil or Shamrock
(three-leaved grass) |
Perpetuity |
| Tressure |
Preservation or protection (prominent in the arms of Scotland) |
| Tressure Flory Counterflory |
Signifies the close and longterm alliance between France and Scotland |
| Trestle |
Hospitality |
| Trident |
Maritime dominion |
| Trumpet |
Ready for war |
Unicorn
See Sample Unicorns |
Extreme courage; virtue and strength |
| Vine |
Strong and lasting friendship |
Vol (Set of Wings) |
Swiftness and protection |
| Vulture |
Purification and maternity; also, virginity (in Christianity) |
| Walnut Leaves |
Hope and joy |
Water Bouget |
One who carried water to an army or a besieged place |
| Wheat-Ears |
Faithful |
Wheat Garb or Sheaf |
The harvest of one's hopes has been secured |
| Wheel |
Fortune; cycle of life |
| Wings |
Swiftness and protection |
| Wolf |
Reward from perseverance in long sieges and/or hard industry |
| Woodbine Leaves |
Love that does not injure that which it clings to |
| Woman |
Various meanings |
| Wreath of laurel leaves and berries |
Triumph |
| Wren |
Freedom |
Wyvern
(Dragon with only two legs and armed tail) |
Valour and protection |
| Yew |
Death and eternal life thereafter |
