Craft Your Own Family Crest

Sketch a shield, incorporate symbols like animals, flora, celestial bodies, or geometric patterns, and infuse them with vibrant colors. Surround your shield with additional elements such as flora or fauna, and position a helmet atop the shield's center. Beneath the shield, depict a banner bearing your personal motto.

Start by selecting the shape of your shield. Shields typically take the form of an inverted triangle with gently curved vertical lines. Feel free to unleash your creativity and experiment with different shapes! Seek inspiration from various sources, such as historical designs or online resources showcasing a range of shield shapes.

• Historically, shield shapes evolved over time, with variations like the curved triangle in the 11th and 12th centuries and the guitar pick shape in the early 13th century.

Determine the divisions of your shield. 'Divisions' refer to how the shield is partitioned or adorned with different shapes. For instance, you might opt to divide the shield into three sections or embellish it with horizontal rows of diamonds. Explore traditional heraldic patterns or devise your own unique designs when crafting your shield.

Select the colors for your shield. Depending on your design preferences, you can employ various colors within the shield's divisions or opt for a monochromatic scheme. Consider vibrant hues like crimson, azure, jade, regal purple, or classic black, or opt for the metallic sheen of gold or silver for a regal touch.

• For a striking appearance, consider hues such as bright red, royal blue, emerald green, majestic purple, or deep black.
• To evoke a sense of grandeur, opt for a metallic finish with gold or silver tones.

Choose the emblems for your shield. The symbols displayed on the shield are referred to as emblems or charges. You have a wide array of options including animals, flowers, celestial bodies like stars and moons, sunbursts, or mythical beings. Typically, animals are depicted in a two-dimensional manner, emphasizing their defining characteristics such as tails.

• Popular animal choices for shields encompass lions, bears, boars, eagles, horses, dragons, and griffins.

Select the hues for your emblems. Traditionally, if your shield features metallic tones, opt for colored emblems, and vice versa. In traditional heraldry, different colors convey distinct meanings. However, feel free to personalize your design with colors of your choosing.

• Gold or yellow symbolize generosity.
• Silver or white denote peace and tranquility.
• Blue signifies truth and loyalty.
• Red symbolizes warrior spirit or military prowess.
• Green represents hope and joy.
• Black conveys grief or steadfastness.
• Purple signifies royalty or justice.
• Orange denotes ambition.
• Maroon embodies patience in battle leading to triumph.

Determine the stance of your emblems. The stance of emblems on a coat of arms can vary, allowing you to depict yourself in a desired manner. Whether standing, walking, reclining, or seated, choose a posture that reflects the characteristics you wish to convey. Standing emblems often denote alertness and readiness for battle, while seated ones symbolize tranquility and calmness.

• Standing emblems project a sense of vigilance and readiness for combat, whereas seated emblems suggest tranquility and peace.

Opt for embellishments to adorn the periphery of your shield. Complete your coat of arms by selecting additional elements and accessories. These could include symbols like a crown, botanical motifs, weaponry, or anything that resonates with you or your family's identity.

• If floral designs appeal to you, consider incorporating flowers, vines, or plant motifs around your shield.
• For a more dynamic feel, consider adding flames or other powerful symbols.

Choose your helmet adornment. The helm, positioned atop the shield, can vary widely in style. Consider using a coronet, resembling the cushion supporting a king's helmet, resting gracefully on the shield.

• You might opt for a gentle bed of vines or foliage, or even omit the helm altogether.

Select a helmet design. If incorporating a coronet into your crest, the helmet will rest upon it. The design of the helmet can be diverse, offering ample room for creativity. Depending on its style, the helmet may feature a crest adorned with symbols like a rooster or stag's head, reflecting familial heritage or peerage status.

• Explore various helmet styles such as the Ancient, Ancient Roman, or Barrel helmet.
• If unsure, conduct an online search for helmet designs in coats of arms for inspiration.

Choose your mantling. Mantling comprises foliage typically found above the helmet or beneath the crest. Opt for leaves from any plant, such as oak leaves symbolizing strength and growth.

Select your supporters. Supporters are depicted as animals, birds, or individuals holding or bolstering the shield. This element is as significant as the shield itself, occupying equal space. Reflect on symbols that represent you.

• For a bold, fiery persona, consider dragons as supporters.
• For a wise, serene demeanor, opt for sparrows or similar birds.
• Your supporters need not be identical; mix and match, perhaps with a lion and a griffin.

Determine if you want to incorporate a base under the shield. The base typically consists of simple foliage or branches filling the space between the shield and the banner below. Alternatively, you might consider ribbons or bows.

Create your motto banner. The banner is a straightforward ribbon displaying your chosen motto. Consider using an inspiring phrase, such as “Believe in yourself and you'll be unstoppable,” or your full name. Remember, the coat of arms represents you, so select something meaningful for the banner.

• You could also opt for a foreign language or a quotation. Collaborate with your family to devise a meaningful statement. If you come up with an intriguing phrase but prefer not to use English, consider translating it into Latin using Google Translate for added allure and conversation.

Finalize the banner. After adding these finishing touches, review your design for any additional elements you may wish to include. If satisfied, sit back and admire your newly created coat of arms!

• If you wish to enhance your drawing skills, consider studying more about art.
• Practice sketching regularly.
• Seek guidance from a mentor to refine your observational skills.

• Not all coats of arms feature every component listed above. In fact, flags often solely display the shield unless the coat of arms pertains to royalty.
• The intricacy of armorial mantles and crests often correlated with the family's nobility. The nobility level, whether Duke or Earl, influenced the complexity of these elements.
• The Great Seal of the United States is an officially registered Achievement.

• To prevent copyright infringement, it's advisable to conduct thorough research. Many Western coats of arms are crafted and officially registered at the College of Arms in London.