Everyone has a right to have coat of arms!
This is an essential point to emphasize to new armigers (the individuals entitled to bear arms). Historically, the main difference between noble arms and civic coats of arms lies in the specific charges (elements) that may be used. For instance, a gentleman’s coat of arms cannot include crowns or supporters, among other restricted elements.
Creating a coat of arms requires strict adherence to numerous heraldic rules. The fundamental rules include:
- Uniqueness: A coat of arms must be completely unique. Identical coats of arms cannot be used by different armigers, even if they are blood relatives. A father’s coat of arms must differ from his son and heir’s. To achieve this, heraldry employs cadency marks or differences to indicate birth order by modifying the original arms.
- Singularity: An armiger cannot have two or more different coats of arms at the same time. This rule does not apply to different artistic interpretations or designs of the same arms (see rule 3).
- Blazon Over Design: The artistic interpretation (the visual style) is flexible as long as heraldic rules are respected. When devising a coat of arms, the only definitive element is the blazon (see rule 7).
- Orientation: Heraldic right (dexter) corresponds to the viewer’s left, and heraldic left (sinister) corresponds to the viewer’s right.
- Tincture Rule: Heraldic colors must be properly composed. There are four primary colors: red (gules), blue (azure), black (sable), and green (vert); two metals: gold (or) and silver (argent); and three additional colors: purple (purpure), orange (tenné), and dark red (sanguine). The core rule is that metal cannot be placed upon metal, and color cannot be placed upon color. Metals must contrast with colors, though they can overlay each other in specific heraldic arrangements.
- Marshalling: This is the practice of combining several coats of arms onto a single escutcheon (shield) to clearly show relationships, such as between a husband and wife. Through a method called impalement, the husband’s arms are placed on the dexter (viewer’s left) side, and the wife’s arms are on the sinister (viewer’s right) side.
- The Blazon: A blazon is the formal textual description of a coat of arms, written in precise language so that an artist can accurately reconstruct the visual image from the text alone.
A coat of arms functions as a lifelong trademark that represents the armiger, and it is a legacy passed down to future heirs. You can use your coat of arms as a personal or business logo, on letterheads, in email headers, on presentations, websites, bookplates (ex-libris), and more.
Devising a coat of arms is a highly responsible and complex task that should only be entrusted to professional experts. Many individuals and companies offer “high-quality” services, but they often simply copy existing arms belonging to people with similar surnames, or rely on generic templates.
My approach is entirely different. I collaborate closely with each potential armiger, analyzing your needs and creating a custom solution rooted in family history, values, faith, or significant life events. A coat of arms should be a source of pride, not shame. Careful historical analysis, meticulous craftsmanship, and creativity are the foundation of my success.
My reputation and the quality of my portfolio speak for themselves. You can view examples of my previous commissions in the Gallery section of this website.
Available Services
You can commission the following custom heraldic items:
- Coat of Arms
- Crest
- Badge
- Full Heraldic Achievement
- Signum (Monogram)
- Ex Libris (Bookplate)
- Supporters.
Pricing is determined on a project-by-project basis, and multiple items can be combined into a single package. Please review Terms & Conditions for Commission before reaching out.
Should you require further information, please do not hesitate to contact me at contact@heraldikum.com.