THE COLORS ON COATS OF ARMS |
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| Color | Meaning |
| Or (Gold) | Generosity |
| Argent (Silver or White) | Sincerity, Peace |
| Purpure (Purple) | Justice, Sovereignty, Regal |
| Gules (Red) | Warrior, Martyr, Military Strength |
| Azure (Blue) | Strength, Loyalty |
| Vert (Green) | Hope, loyalty in love |
| Sable (Black) | Constancy, Grief |
| Tenne or Tawny (Orange) | Worthwhile Ambition |
| Sanguine or Murray (Maroon) | Victorious, Patient in Battle |
LINES ON COATS OF ARMS |
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| Name | Meaning |
Image |
| Nebuly Line | Clouds or Air |  |
| Wavy Line | Sea or Water |  |
| Embattled Line | Fire, Town-Wall |  |
| Engrailed Line | Earth, Land |  |
| Invecked Line | Earth, Land |  |
| Indented Line | Fire |  |
SHIELDS ON COATS OF ARMS |
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| Name | Meaning |
Image |
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Chief |
Dominion, authority, wisdom, achievement in battle |  |
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Pale |
Military strength, fortitude |  |
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Bend |
Representative of a Knights scarf – signifies Defence |  |
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Fess |
Signifies the Military Belt – represents Honour |  |
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Chevron |
Represents the roof of a house – signifies Protection, faithful service |  |
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Cross |
Christian, one who had served in the Crusades |  |
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Saltire |
St. Andrew’s cross, signifying Resolution, Resolve |  |
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Pile |
represents wood used in bridge-building – signifies construction, building |  |
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Canton |
Representative of a flag ‘added’ to the arms, and may contain a charge granted by a Sovereign |  |
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Bordure |
Represents Honour, as used to differentiate between family members |  |
HERALDIC BEASTS |
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Name |
Meaning |
Image |
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Lion |
Fierce Courage. In Ireland the Lion represented the ‘lion’ season, prior to the full arrival of Summer. The symbol can also represent a great Warrior or Chief. |
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Tiger |
Fierceness and valour |  |
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Fish |
Of Regal origin, one of high nature. In Ireland the Fish is associated with the legend of Fionn who became the first to taste the ‘salmon of knowledge’. The Celtic ‘Otherworld’ was often a place of water, a lake or sea, where would dwell Gods represented by fish. |
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Bear |
Fierce Protection |  |
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Wolf |
Perseverance in siege or effort |  |
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Leopard |
Valiant and enduring warrior |  |
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Horse |
Readiness for duty |  |
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Bull |
Valour and magnanimity |  |
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Boar |
Fierce fighter, fights to the death. In Ireland the boar is one of the most popular charges. The meat of the boar was considered to be food of the Celtic Gods. The symbol of the boar was worn in battle as a charm against injury. |
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Boars Head |
Hospitality |  |
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Conies (Hares and Rabbits) |
Peace-loving |  |
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Fox |
Wise defence, wisdom |  |
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Dog (Talbot, Greyhound) |
Courage, fidelity, loyalty |  |
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Dolphin |
Affection, charity |  |
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Tortoise |
Invulnerability |  |
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Griffin |
Valiant soldier – to the death, Vigilance. In Ireland the worship of the sun in pre-Christian times was often represented by the Griffin. It later became a symbol of gold – ‘yellow light’. |
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Dragon |
Valiant defender |  |
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Stag, Buck or Deer |
Skillful, Politic, lover of harmony. In Ireland the Stag was one of the most ancient of charges and was regarded as the most handsome. The Stag represents the very ancestors of the Celtic race. |
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Snake. |
Wisdom. In Ireland the Snake was a symbol of fertility and renewal, and also, because of its forked tongue, was associated with lightning and the sun. |
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HERALDIC BIRDS |
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| Name | Meaning |
Image |
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Martlet/Swallow |
One who has been disposessed of land. Sign for fourth son. In Ireland the Martlett was the bird of perpetual movement. |
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Eagle |
Protector, a person of action, noble nature, power, strength. In Ireland the eagle, along with other birds, was regarded as one of the ‘demons of the air’ and was thus a very popular and powerful charge. |
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Peacock |
Beauty, pride |  |
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Swan |
A musical person, poetry, harmony In Ireland the Swan was regarded as the bird that bore the spirit of a dead Celtic Chieftain sway to the next life. |
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Dove |
Love, Peace. In Ireland the Dove was regarded as the bird of God. |
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HERALDIC PLANTS |
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| Name | Meaning |
Image |
| Fleur-de-lis | Sixth son In Ireland this ‘flower of light’ can often have a Christian significance. |
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| Oak Tree and Leaves, Acorns | Antiquity and Strength In Ireland the Oak tree was the most noble of the Chieftain trees. |
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| Holly | Truth |  |
| Apples, Pears, Fruit | Freedom, Peace |  |
| Wheat Sheaf/Garb | Plentifulness, achievement of hope. In Ireland the Garb often represented the fertility of a particular area. Saint Kieran blessed the corn crop so the symbol was sometimes used as a mark of respect to him. |
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| Red Rose | Hope, Joy. Symbol for the seventh son. |  |
| Trefoil/Shamrock | Perpetuity, longevity. In Ireland the Shamrock was used by Saint Patrick to explain the Holy Trinity and thus has Christian significance. |
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| Quatrefoil/Primrose | Good tidings of Spring |  |
| Double quatrefoil | Sign of the ninth son |  |
| Cinquefoil | Hope, Joy |  |
OTHER HERALDIC CHARGES |
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| Name | Meaning | Image |
| Escallop Shell | Successful commander, one who has made long journeys |  |
| Heart | Sincerity, truthfulness, charity |  |
| Hand | Faith, sincerity, justice In Ireland the open hand was often used as a means of communicating through the ancient language known as ‘Ogham’. The open hand may have also signified the sun. |
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| Red Hand | The mark of a Baronet. In Ireland the open red hand is often a symbol of the Province of Ulster.<> |
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| Arm | An industrious person |  |
| Arm with armour | A person fit for high deeds |  |
| Human Head | Honour |  |
| Crown | Regal or senior authority, heavenly reward |  |
| Finger Ring or Annulet | Fidelity. Sign of the fifth son. |  |
| Lozenge | Honesty, constancy, noble birth |  |
| Anchor | Hope |  |
| Ship, Lymphad, Boat, Galley | Hope, a sea-faring tradition |  |
| Axe | Military duty |  |
| Tower | Grandeur, society, wealth |  |
| Cross | Of Christian significance. May also refer to families who engaged in the Crusades. | |
| Cross Moline | Eight son |  |
| Label | First son |  |
| Cushions | A mark of authority |  |
| Estoile (a star with wavy points) | God’s goodness, superiority |  |
| Mullet (5-pointed Star) | Divine quality bestowed by God. Sign of the third son. |  |
| Sun | Glory, Splendour, Authority. In Ireland the Celts worshiped the sun as well as other celestial bodies. The invocation of the sun would be the same as invoking truth. |
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| Crescent | Hope of glory, one who has been enlightened. Sign of the second son. |  |
| Hunting Horn | A person of high or noble pursuits |  |
| Arrows, Arrow-Heads | Military readiness, affliction |  |
| Spear | Devotion to honour, knightly service |  |
| Spear-head/Pheons | readiness for battle |  |
| Horse-Shoe | Good Luck |  |
| Maunch/Sleeve | A symbol of devotion, victory in tournament |  |
| Chain | A mark of honour and obligation |  |
| Helmet | Wise defence |  |
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Torch |
Zealousness, a signal service |  |
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Book |
if open: Manifestation, if closed: Counsel |  |
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Passion Nails |
Poignant suffering |  |
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Bell |
Power to disperse evil |  |