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An emblematic crest carries a rich legacy from heraldic traditions. Knights adorned their helmets with crests for identification in battle and tournaments, alongside a painted shield. Crests also contributed to their imposing stature. These elements were integral parts of the coat of arms. When creating a coat of arms, it typically includes a crest.
Procedures
Selection of a Crest for Your Coat of Arms
Understanding the Significance of the Crest: The crest is positioned atop the helmet in a coat of arms.
- At times, crests serve as substitutes for the entire coat of arms, particularly if the coat of arms is highly intricate.
Understanding the Significance of a Crest: Crests are typically associated with individuals and passed down through the male lineage, rather than representing an entire family name. They are subject to strict regulations in certain countries like the United Kingdom.
Considerations for Choosing Your Crest: Reflect on symbols that best embody you or your family, considering your history, profession, family size, hobbies, and interests. These elements can serve as inspirations for your crest design. Narrow down your choices to a few key symbols.
Selecting Symbolic Representations: For example, if you're a writer, you might opt for a feather symbolizing a quill in your crest. For those valuing bravery, an eagle could be a fitting choice.
Adhering to Traditional Color Schemes: Coats of arms traditionally feature colors like purple, red, blue, green, and black, as well as metallic tones like silver and gold.
- Natural symbols can also incorporate colors from nature; for instance, using brown for eagle wings.
Designing a Simplified Symbol: Keep in mind that crests are placed atop helmets and should be stylized yet not overly intricate. Strive for symmetry, even if the design includes asymmetrical elements like a turned head on an eagle crest, ensuring overall balance.
- Pay attention to details like wing symmetry, even in non-symmetrical designs.
Consider the Helmet Placement: Ensure your crest is appropriately sized to sit atop a helmet without overshadowing it.
Integrate with Your Coat of Arms: Position the crest above the shield on your coat of arms, ensuring its colors harmonize with the overall design.
Creating a Joyful Family Coat of Arms
Prepare Your Supplies: Gather materials like construction paper, stickers, markers, glue, and scissors.
Unite Your Family: Engage everyone in this activity to foster togetherness and explore your family's uniqueness.
Generate Creative Ideas: Discuss what sets your family apart. Do you enjoy humor? Are you passionate about nature? Perhaps you have three beloved dogs.
Choose Symbolic Representations: Consider incorporating elements like a favorite joke (e.g., a banana peel) for humor enthusiasts or symbols of nature (e.g., a flower or tree) for nature lovers. Dogs can also feature prominently in your coat of arms.
Design the Base Shape: While shields are common, you can opt for alternative shapes like triangles or squares for your coat of arms.
Assign Design Roles: Allocate each person a symbol to design for the coat of arms. Additionally, designate someone to create the mantling and helm. The mantling, like leaves or ribbons, adorns above the shape, while the helm, typically a knight's helmet, serves as the focal point. Consider adding a crest that symbolizes your family.
- Don't hesitate to add color variations to the shield or shape, using your family's preferred colors.
Segment and Colorize: If desired, divide the shield or shape into sections and color them accordingly. For a fun approach, use colors that resonate with your family, though traditional colors include red, blue, purple, green, and black, with silver and gold as metallic hues. Natural colors can also be employed to depict specific symbols.
- Traditional shields primarily adhere to specific color schemes, but this activity allows for creative color choices.
Assemble the Crest: Use glue to affix each piece and create a unified crest. Consider adding a centerpiece or multiple symbols within the shield, especially if it's divided into sections.
- You can also incorporate supporters on either side of the shield, typically animal figures that enhance the design's balance.
Incorporate a Motto: If your family has a motto, design a banner to place atop the crest and inscribe the motto on it.
Add Your Family Name: Position a banner featuring your family name at the crest's top.
Pro Tips
Cautions
- In regions like the United Kingdom, crests and coats of arms hold significant importance. Acquiring and utilizing one requires meeting specific eligibility criteria typically established by the government.
