MOTTO or SLOGAN:
The motto or slogan is often found below the shield in a banderole. In Scottish tradition, the motto appears above the heraldic achievement. In Spanish tradition, it is written on the shield instead.
The motto or slogan itself can say anything you want. Choose from a banner to house the slogan below.
HELMET and MANTLE:
The helmet is above the shield. The style of the helmet varies. In some traditions, only the highest ranks of the nobility have the right to display open helmets. Lower ranks and burghers had to display a closed helmet. Clergymen like bishops use a miter or other ecclesiastical hats instead of helmets. The helmet has the torse and crest on top. The mantling is tied to the helmet.
SHIELD:
The escutcheon is a shield that displays the coat of arms. The escutcheon is the most important part of any heraldic achievement. The escutcheon can have a variety of shapes. Many look like a classical knight’s shield. Coats of arms for women sometimes use a diamond-shaped lozenge or an oval. Clergy sometimes uses oval shapes, too. Others, like Aboriginal Canadians, use round shields.
Select your shield and describe it in your email OR provide a screenshot of your selection.
SUPPORTERS:
Supporters are figures or objects on either side of the shield holding it up. Most of the time, supporters are real or imaginary animals or humans. Only sometimes plants or objects are supporters.
Coat of Arms:
The principal part of a system of hereditary symbols dating back to early medieval Europe, used primarily to establish identity in battle. Arms evolved to denote family descent, adoption, alliance, property ownership, and, eventually, profession.
CHARGES:
Charges are the emblems and devices occupying the field of a shield. Geometric charges are so-called ordinaries. But any symbolic representation of an animal, an inanimate object, a person, a plant, or a building can be a charge.
For this element, you are free to pick anything you want: animals, objects, people, plants, buildings, etc.
The mantle is a symbol of sovereign power and is generally reserved for royalty. In a few cases, its use has also been granted to other nobles. Thus, many call it the “royal” mantle. With a few exceptions, the mantle is red on the outside and with ermine on the inside.
Welcome to the PicPotential Coat of Arms guide. If you are interested in having your custom Coat of Arms created, please reach out and we will walk you through the process. Payment is required before work begins.
Below are a few examples, the definition of Coat of Arms, a description of each Coat of Arms element with example picture, and various elements to choose from.
This is the first step in the process and it lays out the base of the coat of arms. Colors, etc will be chosen later.
Please review each section below and make a note of your selection for each element. Not all elements are required. It is 100% up to you. After you have chosen your elements, email them to photoedit@picpotential.com. I will confirm and ask some follow up questions.
CROWN:
The crown is often a symbol of a sovereign state, usually a monarchy. Crowns are also often symbols of religious status, divinities, or their representatives. Crowns can replace the helmet or sit atop the helmet or at its base. When used in a heraldic achievement with a mantle, the crown is often atop the mantle and atop the shield.
CREST:
The crest is the device borne on top of the helmet. The crest can be any symbolic representation of objects, plants, animals, or humans. The crest is probably the reason why heraldic achievements and coats of arms are called family crests often.
For this element, you are free to pick anything you want: animals, objects, people, plants, buildings, etc.