Hey there,
When I was in high school, I saw a company at a mall kiosk that would enter your surname into a computer and print out your family’s coat of arms. I thought it would make a nice gift for my parents. So I gave them my surname, which was Ott.
As promised, they delivered a colorful coat of arms print out complete with, you guessed it, an otter on the shield.
I have no idea where they got this design or who came up with it. But even though it wasn’t legit, I liked the idea of having a crest or coat of arms.
Afterall, throughout history, a coat of arms not only served to provide an identity, it also designated your rank or position. So who wouldn’t want that?
The formal term for coats of arms is heraldry. Merriam-Webster defines heraldry as:
“The practice of devising, blazoning, and granting armorial insignia and of tracing and recording genealogies.”
In the Catholic Church, it’s known as ecclesiastical heraldry. Everyone from the Pope and Cardinals to Archbishops and Bishops have a personal coat of arms. And it’s not uncommon for a Diocese and sometimes a church to have their own coat of arms.
Coat of arm designs include various symbols, like the keys that the Pope uses to signify the keys to the church that Jesus gave to Saint Peter. There are devotions to various Saints and mottos. The combinations of colors, shapes, symbols, and text are endless. A coat of arms is as unique as a Social Security number.
This week, Genuflect paints the colorful history of ecclesiastical heraldry. We look at what it is; its guiding principles; the meaning behind some of the symbols and colors; coats of arms of Pope Francis, other members of the Holy See, and basilicas around the world; the Archbishop responsible for modern-day ecclesiastical heraldry; and a US priest who’s getting in on the heraldry fun.
As you look through these resources, put on your creative hat and imagine the symbols you would include on your coat of arms to signify your identity as a Catholic.
Keep Believing-
Katy Barrilleaux
Founding Editor, Genuflect
P. S. For the latest Catholic news, be sure to check out Genuflect Daily. We hand pick the top Catholic news you care about. Subscribe to the site and submit stories you find on the internet … and upvote all your favorites.
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Ecclesiastical Heraldry Explained
Heraldry dates back to medieval times. It’s a colorful and creative form of identification that has evolved over time. Each one is unique to its owner and includes its own language. Here’s a brief overview.
What is Heraldry in The Catholic Church? | Simply Catholic
Principles of Heraldry
Elisa Taddei provides an introduction to some of the principles guiding coats of arms, like crest divisions, shapes, colors, and partitions. It’s a strong foundation of knowledge you’ll want to have before reviewing coats of arms.
Principles of Heraldry | Eyes of Rome
Papal Heraldry in Architecture
Unfortunately we don’t have many of the very early papal coats of arms. Churches were rebuilt or modified, removing the artwork. Here’s a fascinating look at some of the heraldry that has survived in churches, other buildings, or even Roman walls.
The Coats of Arms of the Popes in the Middle Ages | Rome Art Lover
Papal Heraldry Evolution
There are rules that guide the design of coats of arms. However, even with papal heraldry, there has been an evolution. Ecclesiastical Heraldry expert Michael McCarthy explains why Pope Benedict XVI changed the tiara to a mitre.
Papal Coat of Arms Still Relevant | EWTN
Pope Francis’ Coat of Arms
Here’s a look at Pope Francis’ coat of arms along with the explanation of the various elements’ meanings and his motto.
The Coat of Arms of Pope Francis | Holy See
Holy See Heraldry
This collection of heraldry examples from Vatican City features all the popes since 1958, including some of their coats of arms from when they were an Archbishop. So you can see how they updated their coats of arms when they became pope.
Holy See (Vatican) | Martin’s Ecclesiastical Heraldry
Basilicas’ Coats of Arms
It’s not uncommon for buildings and churches to have a coat of arms. Here’s a colorful look at the various coats of arms of the major and minor basilicas around the world.
The Papal Basilicas in The World | Martin’s Ecclesiastical Heraldry
Heraldry Artist
The rules guiding ecclesiastical heraldry were not always so strict, nor were they necessarily followed. This is the story of Archbishop Bruno Bernard Heim who literally wrote the guide on heraldry and became the foremost expert and counsel in the Catholic church. He’s credited with designing more than 3,000 coats of arms.
A Renaissance of Catholic Heraldry 1945-1980 | The Heraldry Society
Heraldry And Parables
A talented priest in the US has taken up heraldry, even designing coats of arms for 13 nearby priests and churches. See his creative designs and read why he compares ecclesiastical coats of arms to Jesus’ parables.
Monroe Priest Creates Catholic Heraldry as Art, Personalized Language | Catholic News Herald
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