"Coat of Arms"

Skill in Use of Symbols and Symbolism

Congratulations! The king is considering granting your family (or you personally) a coat of arms. If he does, you will be able to call yourself “Gentleman” or “Lady.” (That’s big stuff!)  However, he wants to know about your plan for the coat of arms; you have to send him a “draft.”

Read the requirements below and create your coat of arms. Have your coat of arms ready to share TWO CLASSES FROM NOW. The best will be recognized!

Your coat of arms will involve these key items:

1.       A design to go on a shield. This is where you can be VERY creative. You should create a shield that includes symbols that are important to your family and represent your family’s “personality.”

a.       Your shield must include an ANIMAL you think represents the “personality” of your family. You may know that a lion represents fierceness and royalty. An owl represents wisdom. Be creative. If you think a dolphin is best to represent your family, be prepared to explain how your family’s characteristics are demonstrated by a dolphin.

b.       Your shield must include an OBJECT and/or PLANT. An olive branch represents peace. A thorn bush represents – well – something prickly (so you had better handle it with care)! If your family loves babies, maybe there’s a pacifier somewhere on the shield. If your family always takes road trips, then perhaps there’s a flat tire somewhere on your shield (to represent that getting to your destination isn’t always smooth!). If your family values having pizza together every Friday, perhaps there’s a pizza slice somewhere. You get the idea.

c.       COLOR. Don’t overdo it unless your family lives in a hippie commune, then tie-dye is okay. But use our notes on symbolism to guide you!

2.       A family motto. A motto is a brief statement used to express a principle, goal, or ideal. You should think of a motto for your family (or for yourself, if you’re just making a coat of arms for you personally). You might want to ask help from your parents/guardians! Examples include:

a.       Who Dares Wins (U.K. Special Air Service Regiment)

b.       Swifter. Higher. Stronger. (Olympics)

c.       The Best or Nothing (Daimler-Chrysler)

d.       Semper Fidelis (“Always faithful” – U.S. Marine Corps)

e.       Set It and Forget It (from a volleyball team)

f.        Leave It All on the Field (from a soccer team)

g.       Winning Isn’t Everything. It’s the Only Thing. (Vince Lombardi?)

h.       Leave It Cleaner Than You Found It. (My motto for traveling groups.)

HINT: You might want to practice your ideas before creating your final version. I will give you a blank shield.

GRADING: Your grade is weighted mostly on how well you can explain the symbolic meanings of the colors, designs, and objects that appear on your coat of arms. If you just throw something together that looks cool, but can’t explain what everything means and why you included it, then you will not earn a good grade. So THINK about your motto. THINK about what will go on the shield and why. You will write an explanation for every aspect, so it all has to be planned carefully.

WHAT TO TURN IN:

EXPLANATIONS for your choices must be typed on a SEPARATE sheet of paper. Therefore, you will turn in:

1.       Shield drawing with family name and motto

2.       Explanation sheet that interprets the motto and all aspects of the shield.

Coat of Arms Worksheet

Colors I May Use

Animals I May Use

Objects or Plants I May Use