Supporters in Heraldry

When looking at a large heraldic achievement, it is often not only the shield itself that catches the eye.

On either side of the shield may stand animals, human figures, or mythical creatures.
They support the shield. Hold it upright. Guard it.

These figures are called supporters.

In some arms they are lions.
In others they are stags, bears, angels, or knights.

In royal and civic arms, supporters can be impressive and majestic — symbols of power, protection, and authority.
But in personal and modern arms, supporters can also add an additional layer to the story.

They stand as guardians around the shield.

Where the shield shows the family's symbols, the supporters may express strength, character, or values.
They may represent courage, loyalty, nature, tradition, or culture.

But supporters are also among the most misunderstood elements of heraldry.

Historically, they were not used by everyone.
In many countries, supporters were reserved for royalty, nobility, or institutions.

Today, the rules are more open, especially when designing new personal arms.

This naturally raises an important question:

When does it make sense to use supporters — and when is it better to leave them out?

For in heraldry, a simple truth often applies:

Sometimes more elements make the arms richer.
At other times, they make them heavier.

This guide explains the history of supporters, their symbolism, and how they are used in heraldry — both traditionally and in modern family arms.

Where do supporters come from?

Supporters did not appear at the same time as the earliest coats of arms.

The earliest heraldic arms of the twelfth and thirteenth centuries often consisted only of the shield, the helm, and the crest. The arms needed to be clear in battle and on seals, and simplicity made them easy to recognise.

Only later did figures begin to appear around the shield.

In the Middle Ages, the first supporters appear in illustrated armorials and ceremonial representations. They did not necessarily stand physically beside the shield in battle — rather, they were an artistic way of presenting the arms.

One can almost imagine the scene:

A great coat of arms is displayed in a hall, in a manuscript, or on a seal.
Beside the shield stand two animals or figures, as though holding it forward.

It was a way of making the arms more majestic and ceremonial.

As heraldry developed through the late Middle Ages and the Renaissance, supporters became especially associated with:

• royal arms
• noble families
• orders of chivalry
• cities and institutions

They became a sign of status.

A simple family coat of arms still consisted primarily of the shield and helm.
But greater achievements — especially royal and state arms — grew in complexity.

Here, supporters became a natural part of the whole.

This can be seen clearly in many European national arms.
Two animals or figures stand on either side of the shield and present it as a symbol of power and protection.

One of the most famous examples is the two supporters of the royal arms of the United Kingdom. Other countries use stags, eagles, griffins, or human figures.

They all share one thing:

They guard the arms.

For that reason, supporters often create a sense of strength, stability, and authority.

But although they were historically associated with royal and noble arms, that does not mean the idea behind them has disappeared in modern heraldry.

Today, supporters are still used — but often with greater freedom and a more symbolic meaning.

Types of supporters — animals, humans, and mythical creatures

Once you begin noticing supporters in heraldry, something quickly becomes clear:
there is no single type.

Some arms are flanked by majestic lions.
Others by stags, bears, or horses.
Sometimes knights or angels stand beside the shield.
And in more imaginative achievements, one encounters dragons, griffins, and other mythical beings.

This is no accident.

Supporters are not merely decoration.
They are an extension of the story of the arms.

Where a charge on the shield is often a concentrated symbol, supporters can give the achievement movement, character, and personality.

One may almost think of them as the guardians of the arms.

Animals — heraldry's strongest symbols

The most common type of supporter in heraldry is the animal.

This is not only a matter of aesthetics.
Animals have long served as powerful symbols of qualities and character.

A lion may signal courage and strength.
A stag may stand for dignity and nature.
A bear may symbolise raw strength and endurance.

When such creatures appear as supporters, they take on a particular role.
They become not merely symbols, but protectors of the shield.

That is why they are often shown in an upright position, turned toward the shield, as though supporting or defending it.

In many European arms, lions have become the most iconic supporters.
They appear in countless royal, civic, and noble achievements.

But heraldry is far more varied than that.

One also finds:

• stags
• horses
• wolves
• bears
• eagles
• unicorns

In British heraldry in particular, the unicorn became a famous supporter, often appearing together with the lion.

This shows how heraldry can be both naturalistic and imaginative at the same time.

Human figures — knights, angels, and historical figures

In some achievements, the supporters are not animals, but human figures.

They may be armoured knights standing with their hands upon the shield.
They may be historical figures, heroes, or national personifications.

In ecclesiastical arms, one may also encounter angels holding the shield.

Here, the atmosphere changes.

Where animals often project raw strength, human supporters can give the arms a more narrative or ceremonial character.

They may represent:

• faith
• protection
• history
• culture

In some cases, they also reflect a particular role or identity — for example, a chivalric tradition or an historical connection to a place.

Mythical creatures — heraldry's imagination

A third category of supporters is the mythical creature.

Here heraldry enters a more symbolic and imaginative realm.

Among them one finds:

• griffins
• dragons
• sea creatures
• unicorns

Such beings often combine the qualities of more than one animal.

A griffin, for example, has the body of a lion and the head and wings of an eagle.
This gives it a symbolism of both strength and vision.

Mythical supporters became especially popular during the Renaissance, when heraldry developed into a more artistic and decorative discipline.

They allowed artists to create dramatic and impressive achievements.

But they are still used today — especially when the arms wish to express something beyond the merely historical.

They may symbolise:

• imagination
• legend
• cultural heritage
• or simply a family's particular story

Two supporters — a balance

An interesting feature of heraldry is that supporters almost always appear in pairs.

One on each side of the shield.

This creates balance.

It also allows the two figures either to mirror one another or to complement one another.

In some arms they are identical — two lions, two stags, or two knights.

In others they are different.

A classic example is the royal arms of the United Kingdom, where a lion and a unicorn stand on either side of the shield.

This creates a more dynamic narrative.

When supporters make sense — and when they do not

Although supporters can be impressive, they are not always necessary.

In many personal arms, a strong shield, a helm, and a crest are more than enough.

For heraldry also has an important aesthetic principle:

Less is more.

An achievement with too many elements can lose its clarity.

For that reason, many modern family arms deliberately choose not to use supporters.

But when they are used with care, they can add an extra dimension.

They can make the arms grander.
More ceremonial.
More narrative.

And in some cases, they can give the achievement an almost mythic strength.

Symbolism in supporters — what they can say about a family

When seeing supporters for the first time, they may appear merely as a decorative frame.
Two figures standing beside the shield and holding it forward.

But in heraldry, they are almost never accidental.

Supporters form part of the story of the arms.
They function as guardians around the family's symbol.

Where the shield often bears the central signs — the lion, the tree, the sword, or the star — the supporters may provide room to express more about the story or values the arms represent.

One may almost imagine them as figures standing at the gate to the family's history.

They protect the shield.
They present it.
And they give the viewer a sense of character.

Guardians and strength

Historically, supporters were often chosen from animals or beings that symbolised strength and protection.

A lion beside a shield sends a clear message.
It stands there as a guardian.

A bear may project raw force and endurance.
A stag may lend a more dignified and nature-bound atmosphere.

When two creatures stand beside an achievement, it gives the impression that the arms are not just an image — but something carried forward and protected.

This is an old symbolism, growing out of the way heraldry was displayed in ceremony and in armorial art.

Character and values

Supporters may also be used to express traits of character.

If a shield bears a tree or a mountain, the supporters may perhaps be animals that inhabit that landscape.

If an achievement symbolises courage and readiness for struggle, strong beasts such as lions or wolves may reinforce that story.

If a family wishes to suggest wisdom or balance, calmer or more dignified figures may create a very different impression.

In this way, supporters may serve as a kind of visual commentary on the shield.

They extend the story without overcrowding the shield itself.

Culture and roots

In some arms, the supporters also reflect a cultural or geographical connection.

An achievement inspired by Nordic tradition might, for example, choose animals from northern nature.

Arms inspired by medieval chivalric culture might use knights or squires as supporters.

In modern heraldry, families may also choose creatures or figures that have played a role in their own history.

It may be an animal from the family's home region, a figure from an old story, or something that represents an important family value.

Here the supporters become a way of making the achievement more personal.

The relationship between shield and supporters

The most important principle in heraldic design is balance.

The shield is always the centre.

The supporters must never draw attention away from it.

Rather, they should frame the arms and lift them forward.

When that is achieved, a special harmony arises.

The shield tells the family's symbolic story.
The supporters give the achievement strength, character, and movement.

It is a balance with which heraldry has worked for centuries.

When supporters are used with care

In modern family arms, supporters are not a requirement.

Many choose a simpler achievement without them.
Others choose them precisely to give the arms a more substantial and ceremonial appearance.

The decisive question is not whether they are used — but how they are used.

If chosen thoughtfully, they can lend the arms a vivid and powerful character.

If added merely for ornament, they can quickly make the achievement heavy.

Heraldry's old principle still applies:

A good coat of arms is clear, balanced, and easy to recognise.

May anyone use supporters?

When one looks at the great and impressive coats of arms in historical books, supporters are almost always present. Lions, unicorns, knights, or other figures stand on either side of the shield and give the achievement an almost ceremonial strength.

But in classical heraldry, supporters were not something everyone could simply use.

In many European countries, they were traditionally associated with high rank. Kings, princes, noble families, or cities might use supporters as part of their arms. They became a sign of status and authority.

In Britain, this tradition remains especially clear. There, supporters are often reserved for the nobility or institutions that have received a specific grant permitting their use.

In Denmark and much of Northern Europe, however, heraldry has generally been more open.

There has never been a central heraldic authority regulating private coats of arms in the same way. This means that private families may in principle choose the elements they wish — so long as they do not copy existing arms.

Even so, the traditions remain influential.

For that reason, many modern family arms still use supporters with restraint. Not because they are forbidden, but because heraldry is also about balance and dignity.

A simple coat of arms can often be stronger than an overburdened one.

When supporters make sense in modern family arms

In modern heraldry, supporters are therefore something to choose with care.

They can give an achievement an impressive and almost ceremonial character. When two figures stand beside the shield and present it, the whole composition gains greater presence.

This may be particularly fitting if the arms represent:

• a large family or lineage
• an organisation or community
• an historical narrative

Here the supporters may help underline the significance of the arms.

But in many personal family arms, it is often wise to begin more simply.

A classical heraldic achievement consists first and foremost of:

• the shield
• the helm
• the crest

These elements alone may already tell a powerful story.

If one later wishes to enlarge the achievement — perhaps once several generations have taken it to heart — supporters can become a natural way for the arms to grow.

In that way, the supporters are not mere ornament.

They become a later extension of the family's story.

How do you choose good supporters?

If one chooses to use supporters in a family achievement, it is important that they fit the rest of the design.

They should never be arbitrary.

In heraldry, they work best when they support the symbolism of the shield.

An achievement with a tree, for example, may be flanked by woodland creatures.
One with maritime symbols may be accompanied by sea creatures or seabirds.

What matters most is that the supporters do not compete with the shield.

They must support it.

That is why they are often shown in a calm and symmetrical posture, turned toward the shield, as though presenting it to the viewer.

When this succeeds, a special stillness comes into the design.

The shield tells the story.
The supporters give it strength.

Heraldry's old principle: balance

If there is one principle that runs through nearly all successful heraldic achievements, it is this:

Balance.

Arms may be rich in symbolism, but they must never become heavy.

That is why many heraldic artists choose supporters only when the design truly calls for them.

A good coat of arms can stand perfectly well on its own.

But a well-chosen pair of supporters can — when used properly — raise the arms from a symbol to a stage upon which the family's story is presented.

Frequently asked questions about supporters in coats of arms

What are supporters in a coat of arms?

Supporters are figures placed on either side of the shield, appearing to hold or support it. They may be animals, human figures, or mythical creatures, and are used to give the achievement a more ceremonial and narrative character. In many historical arms, they symbolise strength, protection, or the values of the family.

May anyone use supporters in a family coat of arms?

In many European countries, supporters were traditionally reserved for noble families or institutions with special privileges. In Denmark, however, there is no heraldic system regulating private coats of arms in that way. Modern families may therefore in principle choose to use supporters, provided they do not copy existing arms. Even so, many still use them with restraint in order to preserve heraldic balance and tradition.

Which animals are often used as supporters?

Lions are among the most classical supporters in heraldry, but many other animals also appear. Stags, bears, horses, wolves, and eagles are all found in historical arms. In British heraldry, the unicorn is also a famous example. The choice of animal usually depends on the symbolism or story the arms are meant to express.

Must the supporters be the same on both sides?

Not necessarily. Many achievements use two identical supporters in order to create symmetry, but it is also common to use two different figures. A well-known example is the royal arms of the United Kingdom, where a lion and a unicorn stand on either side of the shield.

What do supporters symbolise?

Supporters often symbolise strength, protection, or character traits a family wishes to emphasise. They may also reflect nature, culture, or mythology. In some achievements they reinforce the symbolism of the shield, while in others they add an additional layer to the family's story or values.

Are supporters necessary in a coat of arms?

No. Most classical coats of arms consist only of the shield, the helm, and the crest. Supporters are an additional feature that became common only in later heraldry. Many modern family arms choose a simpler form without supporters in order to preserve clarity and balance.

Where are supporters placed in a coat of arms?

Supporters are placed on either side of the shield and often stand upon a base or compartment. They are normally turned inward toward the shield, as though supporting or protecting it. This creates a symmetrical and harmonious structure in the full heraldic achievement.