Symbols in a Coat of Arms

When people first look at a coat of arms, they often notice the colours. They create contrast, strength, and character. But if one looks a little closer, it quickly becomes clear that it is the symbols that tell the story.

A lion rising in combat.
A tree with deep roots.
A sword raised in protection.

These figures are not random decorations. They are the language heraldry uses to express who you are, where you come from, and which values you wish to pass on to the next generation.

In heraldry, these symbols are known as charges. They are placed on the shield and form the very narrative of the arms.

Where colours create atmosphere, symbols create meaning.

In the Middle Ages, symbols were often a direct reflection of life itself. Knightly families used animals that symbolised courage and strength. Merchant families chose anchors or ships. Craftsmen used tools from their trade.

In this way, the coat of arms became a visual language that could be understood long before most people could read.

But heraldry is not only history. It is still alive today. When modern families create a coat of arms, they often choose symbols that represent their values, their roots, or the hopes they wish to carry forward to future generations.

A charge can therefore be many things.

It may be an animal symbolising strength or freedom.
A tree telling of lineage and roots.
A star pointing toward hope and the future.

When symbols are chosen with care, a coat of arms becomes more than a beautiful image. It becomes a story that can live on for generations.

In this guide, we explore the symbols of heraldry.
We look at their history, their traditional meanings, and how families today can find the symbols that best represent them.

What is a charge in heraldry?

In heraldry, the figures placed on the shield are called charges. The term may sound technical, but in practice it simply refers to the symbols that give a coat of arms its story.

A charge can be almost anything.

It may be an animal, a tree, a star, a sword, or an anchor. It may be a tool from an old trade, a symbol from nature, or a figure that carries a deeper idea. In the Middle Ages, many of these symbols arose quite naturally from the lives of the people who bore the arms.

A knight might choose an animal symbolising courage.
A merchant family might choose a ship or an anchor.
A family with roots in forest and countryside might choose a tree.

In this way, charges became a visual language. They made it possible to recognise a family long before names were written down or genealogical records became common.

Although heraldry follows fixed rules for colours and composition, the symbols themselves are surprisingly free. Historically, almost anything could appear in a coat of arms, as long as it could be drawn clearly and recognised at a distance.

This is also why symbols are the most living part of heraldry. They connect history with the present and allow each family to tell its own story through images.

When one looks at a coat of arms, it is therefore often the symbols that are remembered. The colours create the whole, but it is the figures that give the arms their personality.

In the following sections, we look more closely at some of the best-known symbols in heraldry — and at how they have been used over time to express values, character, and identity.

Where do the symbols come from?

When one first sees a coat of arms, the symbols can seem almost mythical. Lions, eagles, swords, stars, and trees fill the shield like small stories from another age.

But most heraldic symbols did not begin as abstract ideas.

They arose out of real life.

Heraldry developed in Europe during the twelfth and thirteenth centuries, when knights began to use charges to recognise one another on the battlefield and in tournaments. When a knight wore helm and armour, his face could no longer be seen. Identity therefore had to be shown through colours and symbols.

These symbols quickly became personal.

A warrior might choose a lion to show courage.
A hunter might choose a stag's head.
A family connected to the sea might choose a ship or an anchor.

In this way, heraldry became a visual language.

The symbols said something about the person or family who bore them.

In many cases, the symbols were also inspired by the natural world around people. Animals, plants, and heavenly signs appear again and again in European coats of arms because they were familiar and easily recognisable.

Religion also played a role. Crosses, stars, and fleurs-de-lis could express faith or connection to particular traditions. In other cases, symbols were taken from work and trade — hammers, swords, wheels, or tools that spoke of a family's occupation.

During the Renaissance and later centuries, symbols also began to acquire more explicitly symbolic meanings. People began to interpret them as expressions of virtues and values. A lion no longer stood only for an animal, but for courage. An oak did not stand only for a tree, but for strength and endurance.

In this way, heraldry gradually became both history and symbolism at once.

Today, many families still choose their symbols from these two layers. Some point back to roots and history. Others are chosen because they express values or hopes for the future.

It is precisely this combination that makes heraldry alive.

A coat of arms is not merely an image.
It is a story — told in symbols.

Why do heraldic animals not always look like real animals?

When one first sees heraldic animals, their appearance can be surprising. Lions do not always resemble the lions seen in wildlife films, and eagles can seem almost decorative in form.

That is because heraldry was never intended to depict nature realistically.

Its purpose was recognisability.

A coat of arms had to be seen at a distance — on the battlefield, in a tournament, or on a seal in wax. For this reason, symbols were drawn in clear and forceful forms, with details simplified and lines made distinct.

Many of the artists who drew medieval coats of arms had never even seen some of the animals they depicted. Lions, leopards, and other exotic creatures were known through stories, bestiaries, and religious manuscripts, but not from direct observation. They were therefore rendered on the basis of description and earlier illustration.

Over time, these depictions developed into fixed heraldic forms.

A heraldic lion was no longer drawn as a zoological lion, but as a symbol with its own style and tradition. It often stands upright, with claws extended and tail raised, because it is meant to express strength and readiness for combat.

In the same way, eagles, bears, and other animals developed their own stylised forms in heraldry.

This means that they should not be read as studies from nature.

They should be read as symbols.

When a lion appears in a coat of arms, it is therefore not about the animal itself, but about the values the animal represents.

Courage.
Strength.
Protection.

These meanings are what made heraldic animals some of the most recognisable symbols in European history.

The most classic symbols in heraldry

When one looks through historical armorials and old seals, something quickly becomes clear. Although heraldry allows nearly endless variation, certain symbols appear again and again.

This is no accident.

In the Middle Ages, coats of arms were above all a system of recognition. The symbols had to be clear, easy to understand, and strong enough to be remembered. For that reason, many of the most frequently used charges were drawn from nature, mythology, or the objects people knew from everyday life.

Some expressed strength.
Others expressed wisdom.
Others told something about a family's origin, occupation, or values.

Over time, these figures became heraldry's shared visual language. Many are still used today, both in historical coats of arms and in modern family arms.

Let us look more closely at some of the best known.

The lion – heraldry's most famous symbol

The lion is without doubt the best-known animal in heraldry. It appears in countless coats of arms throughout Europe and has become a symbol of kingship, strength, and courage.

Already in the Middle Ages, the lion was regarded as the king of beasts. It was therefore an obvious symbol for knights and rulers who wished to show strength and authority.

In heraldry, the lion often appears upright on its hind legs with claws extended. This posture is called rampant, and it gives the animal a dynamic and combative appearance.

At other times, the lion is shown walking with its head facing forward. In older heraldic terminology, this form was sometimes called a leopard, even though it was still in fact a lion. This is a good example of how heraldry developed its own language and traditions.

When modern families choose a lion for their coat of arms, it is often because of the values it symbolises:

strength
courage
protection
leadership

That is why the lion remains one of the most popular symbols in new family arms.

The eagle – vision and power

Where the lion symbolises strength on earth, the eagle often symbolises power and vision from the sky.

The eagle has been used in heraldry since the Middle Ages and became especially associated with imperial authority. The Roman Empire used the eagle as a symbol, and the tradition continued in the Holy Roman Empire, where the double-headed eagle became a powerful sign of rule.

In heraldry, the eagle is often shown with its wings spread wide. This posture is called displayed, and it gives the bird a majestic and almost monumental expression.

Traditionally, the eagle is associated with:

vision
freedom
strength
oversight

In modern coats of arms, it is often chosen by families who want a symbol of ambition and broad perspective.

The bear – raw strength and endurance

The bear is a more earthbound symbol than the lion, but it carries a very particular power.

In many European traditions, the bear has been associated with strength, courage, and protection. At the same time, it represents a kind of calm force — a creature that does not seek conflict, but is almost unbeatable when challenged.

In heraldry, the bear may appear walking, standing, or in a combative pose. It is often used in coats of arms from regions where bears historically formed part of the natural world.

As a symbol, the bear may represent:

endurance
protection
strength
stability

The wolf – intelligence and cooperation

The wolf is a symbol of a different character.

Where the lion represents royal strength, the wolf often symbolises intelligence, loyalty, and the ability to work together. Wolves live in packs, and for that reason the wolf in heraldry has also been used as a sign of community and strategy.

In some traditions, the wolf also represents courage and independence.

A wolf in a family coat of arms may therefore express:

loyalty
family bonds
strategy
survival

The tree – roots and lineage

One of the most meaningful symbols in modern heraldry is the tree.

Although trees also appear in historical coats of arms, their symbolism is especially fitting in family arms. The tree provides a natural metaphor for the development of a lineage across generations.

The roots symbolise the past.
The trunk symbolises the present.
The branches symbolise future generations.

For that reason, many families today choose trees for their arms as an image of:

lineage
roots
growth
connection between generations

The star – hope and guidance

Stars are among heraldry's most elegant symbols.

In the Middle Ages, stars were often associated with divine guidance or with hope for a brighter future. They could also symbolise ambition and the striving toward something greater.

In many coats of arms, stars help create balance in the design, but they almost always carry symbolic meaning.

A star may represent:

hope
direction
ambition
light in darkness

The sword – honour and protection

The sword is one of the most classical symbols of the Middle Ages.

Originally, it represented the role of the warrior. But in heraldry, the sword also became a symbol of justice and protection.

A sword in a coat of arms does not therefore necessarily mean warfare. More often, it symbolises the will to defend what one holds dear.

For this reason, the sword is associated with:

honour
justice
protection
courage

The crown – dignity and authority

The crown is a symbol often associated with royal arms. But it may also appear in other contexts as a sign of dignity and honour.

In heraldry, many different types of crowns exist and can signal rank or historical connection. In modern family arms, the crown is often used more symbolically — as a sign of dignity, pride, or independence.

A living library of symbols

The most important thing about heraldic symbols is that they have never been completely fixed.

Although many figures carry traditional meanings, families over the centuries have also interpreted them in their own way. This is one reason heraldry still feels alive today.

A coat of arms can therefore both build on old tradition and tell an entirely personal story.

The symbols are not mere decoration.
They are the language the coat of arms speaks.

Canting arms – when the symbols say the name

One of the most fascinating phenomena in heraldry is known as canting arms, sometimes also called speaking arms.

Here, the coat of arms begins almost to play with language.
The symbols are chosen not only for their meaning, but because they point directly to the name itself.

It may be subtle.
It may be poetic.
And sometimes it is entirely obvious.

If a family is named Rose, a rose may appear in the arms.
If the name is Falcon, a falcon may become the central figure.

But often the idea is more creative than that.

In heraldry, one finds many examples where a name is broken into images.

A name such as Rosendal might, for example, become a shield with:

a rose in one part
and a valley in another

When one sees the arms, the eye almost reads the name through images.

It is this kind of visual wordplay that gave canting arms their name. The shield speaks.

A tradition of both humour and pride

Canting arms arose already in the Middle Ages and quickly became popular across much of Europe. They had a special charm because they made the arms easy to remember.

When a person saw the symbol, the connection to the name could often be understood at once.

But canting arms were not only practical. They also carried a touch of humour and creativity. For all its rules, heraldry was never entirely without playfulness.

A family could therefore choose symbols that pointed to the name while also saying something about its history or values.

In some cases, the wordplay was very direct.
In others, the connection was more subtle and required a little thought.

When the name becomes images

There are many ways to create canting arms.

Sometimes a single symbol is used that directly matches the name.

A rose for Rose.
A hart for Hart.
A falcon for Falcon.

At other times, the name is divided into several parts, each receiving its own symbol.

A name such as Rosendal may become:

a rose
and a valley

A name such as Bergström might become:

a mountain
and a flowing stream

In this way, the coat of arms becomes almost like a little visual language, in which the symbols together tell the name.

When tradition meets creativity

Although canting arms have a long tradition, they are still highly relevant in modern heraldry.

Many families find great pleasure in discovering that their name can be translated into images. Sometimes the idea presents itself immediately. At other times, it takes a little creativity to find the right visual interpretation.

But it is precisely here that something special happens.

When a coat of arms both:

reflects the name
respects the rules of heraldry
and still feels personal

then it becomes more than a symbol.

It becomes a story about the family.

Arms that are remembered

Canting arms have a particular strength.

They are easy to remember.

Once one has seen the connection between the symbols and the name, it is rarely forgotten. That is why this type of arms remained popular throughout heraldic history.

And perhaps that is why they still fascinate today.

A coat of arms does not have to be complicated to be strong.

Sometimes the best idea is the simplest.

One symbol.
One name.
One story.

How do you choose symbols for a family coat of arms?

When a family first begins to think about a coat of arms, one question almost always arises:

Which symbols should we choose?

There is no single right answer. Heraldry has, over the centuries, allowed room for both tradition and personal interpretation. That is precisely why two coats of arms may be entirely different and still feel equally right for the families who bear them.

What matters most is that the symbols mean something.

A good coat of arms rarely begins with a random motif. It begins with a story.

Start with the family's roots

For many families, inspiration begins with family history.

Where does the family come from?
Does it have roots in forest, countryside, or sea?
Have certain places carried special meaning through generations?

Some families choose symbols that point directly back to their geographical roots. A tree may symbolise a family long connected to woodland. Waves or a ship may speak of ties to the sea. A mountain may point to the landscape from which the family comes.

In this way, the coat of arms becomes a visual memory of where the family began.

Values can also become symbols

Other families choose their symbols according to the values they wish to pass on.

What matters most in the family?

Courage.
Loyalty.
Knowledge.
Unity.

In heraldry, many symbols have over time acquired traditional meanings. A lion is associated with strength and courage. An eagle can symbolise vision and freedom. A book may represent learning. An anchor often stands for hope and stability.

These symbols can therefore serve as visual expressions of the values a family wishes to carry forward through generations.

The name can be a key

As we saw in the section on canting arms, the name itself can also be a source of inspiration.

Many surnames contain images if one looks at them with a little imagination. A name may hold animals, plants, landscapes, or old words that can be translated into symbols.

When a coat of arms reflects the family name in this way, a special connection arises between symbol and identity.

It makes the arms easier to remember — and, more importantly, it makes them feel natural for the family who bears them.

Simplicity makes the arms stronger

When choosing symbols, it is tempting to try to tell the entire family story at once.

But heraldry has learned through the centuries that simplicity creates strength.

The most memorable coats of arms often consist of only a few elements. One strong symbol can be far more powerful than many small ones.

A tree.
A lion.
A star.

When the symbol is clear and distinct, the arms become easier to recognise — and easier to pass on to the next generation.

Symbols should be able to endure

A coat of arms is not only for the present.

It is a symbol that may follow a family through generations. For that reason, it is wise to choose symbols that can carry meaning far into the future.

The question is therefore not only:

What does this symbol mean to us today?

But also:

Will it still make sense to our children and grandchildren?

When symbols feel timeless, the coat of arms becomes part of the family's history — not only a project for one generation.

When ideas become a coat of arms

Choosing symbols is often the most creative part of the process. It is here that the family's history, values, and identity begin to take shape in images.

Once the right symbols have been found, the rules of heraldry can help bring them together into harmonious arms, where colours, forms, and figures work together.

In this way, the coat of arms becomes more than a drawing.
It becomes a symbol of the family itself.

Modern symbols in family arms

Although heraldry has roots in the Middle Ages, it is not a closed tradition. On the contrary, it has developed over centuries alongside the society around it.

Today, many families choose symbols that reflect their own time and story.

It may be a compass symbolising direction and adventure.
A book representing learning and knowledge.
A bridge standing for connection between people or generations.
Or a tree speaking of lineage, roots, and growth.

These symbols did not necessarily appear in medieval coats of arms, but they can still fit naturally within heraldry, as long as they follow the basic principles of simplicity and clarity.

This is exactly why heraldry remains a living tradition.

A modern family coat of arms can build on historical symbols while also expressing values that make sense today.

If you wish to explore this subject more deeply, we have created a separate guide on modern heraldic symbols, where we look at many of the symbols contemporary families choose for their coats of arms.

How many symbols should a coat of arms contain?

Once one begins gathering ideas for a family coat of arms, a natural enthusiasm often arises. A family may have many stories, many values, and many symbols that all feel meaningful.

It can therefore be tempting to place them all in a single shield.

But heraldry has taught an important lesson over the centuries:

The strongest coats of arms are almost always the simplest.

A coat of arms must be recognisable at once. In the Middle Ages, this mattered on the battlefield and in tournaments. Today, it is more about aesthetics and clarity, but the principle remains the same.

When a shield becomes too crowded with figures, it loses its strength. The eye no longer knows where to focus, and the power of the symbol weakens.

That is why many of the best-known coats of arms consist of only a few elements.

An animal.
A tree.
A star.

Sometimes just one symbol.

A single symbol can say much

In heraldry, a symbol need not be complicated to carry meaning. On the contrary, a single motif can often hold several layers.

A lion can symbolise strength, protection, and leadership.
A tree can speak of lineage, roots, and growth.
A star can stand for hope, direction, and the future.

When the symbol is strong enough, it does not need the support of many other figures.

Balance between history and clarity

This does not mean a coat of arms may contain only one symbol. Many historical arms contain several charges, especially where the shield is divided into sections.

But even in such cases, there is almost always a clear structure. The symbols work together rather than competing for attention.

A good coat of arms therefore feels balanced. It can be read quickly, and the charges stand out clearly.

Arms that can live through generations

When a coat of arms is simple, it also becomes easier to use across generations.

It can be reproduced in many forms:

on seals
on documents
on rings
on banners
or as art in the home

A clear composition makes the arms robust. They can be drawn again and again without losing their identity.

That is why simplicity is not a limitation in heraldry.

It is a strength.

When the family has several symbols

Sometimes, however, a family's story may contain several symbols that all feel important. In such cases, heraldry still offers ways to preserve balance.

One classical solution is to divide the shield into sections. A shield may, for example, be divided into four parts — a quartering — with each part bearing its own symbol.

In this way, several elements can be included without the design losing its structure.

But even here, an important rule of thumb applies:

Four symbols are normally the absolute maximum.

Once the number becomes greater, the arms quickly begin to appear unsettled and difficult to read.

Symbols can also be placed outside the shield

In a full heraldic achievement, there are also other places where symbolism may be expressed.

Above the shield stand the helm and crest, which often repeat or expand the symbolism of the shield. In some achievements, supporters — figures standing beside the shield — can also carry part of the story.

In this way, a coat of arms may contain several layers of meaning without the shield itself becoming overcrowded.

Less is more

Even though heraldry offers these possibilities, most experienced heraldic artists return to the same advice:

Less is more.

The most memorable coats of arms are those in which the symbols are few, clear, and strong. A single motif can often say more than many small details.

When arms are simple, they are also easier to use through generations. They can be reproduced on seals, documents, rings, or works of art without losing their character.

That is why simplicity is not a limitation in heraldry.

It is one of its greatest strengths.

The meaning of symbols – tradition and free interpretation

When one begins reading about heraldry, one quickly encounters lists of symbols and their meanings. Lions stand for courage, eagles for strength, stars for hope, trees for lineage and roots.

These interpretations have developed over centuries and have become part of heraldic tradition.

But, as with colours, reality is somewhat more nuanced.

In the Middle Ages, symbols were chosen first and foremost for visibility and recognisability. A lion was a strong motif that could be seen at a distance. A cross or a sword was easily recognised on a shield or seal.

The detailed symbolism described in many books today developed especially during the Renaissance and later centuries. At that time, people began to assign more fixed meanings to figures and connect them with particular virtues or ideals.

This does not mean these meanings are wrong.

But they are only one part of the story.

Heraldry has always been a living tradition in which families interpreted symbols in their own way. An animal might symbolise courage for one lineage and protection for another. A tree might represent the natural world around the family home — or the family itself and its roots.

What matters most is therefore not whether a symbol follows a fixed list of meanings.

What matters most is that the symbol feels right for the family.

When a coat of arms is created with respect for heraldic rules and at the same time with a personal story in mind, something special emerges. The symbols become more than images — they become part of the family's identity.

And perhaps that is why heraldry still fascinates today.

A coat of arms may be hundreds of years old and still feel alive. New generations can see the same symbols and find their own meaning in them.

That is the strength of heraldry.

The interpretation of symbols may change over time, but the arms themselves can continue to live on.

Frequently asked questions about symbols in coats of arms

What do the symbols in a coat of arms mean?

The symbols in a coat of arms are called charges in heraldry. They are used to express something about the person or family behind the arms. Historically, the symbols might point to a family's origin, occupation, or character.

Many symbols have, over time, acquired traditional meanings. A lion is often associated with courage and strength, an eagle with power and vision, while a tree may symbolise lineage, roots, and growth.

At the same time, heraldry has always allowed room for personal interpretation. What matters most is not a fixed list of meanings, but that the symbols feel meaningful to the family who bears the arms.

May a family choose its own symbols for a coat of arms?

Yes, there is no law preventing private families from creating their own coats of arms, provided they do not copy an existing one.

This means that families are free to choose symbols that represent their history, values, or name. Heraldic tradition does, however, offer guidelines that help create clear and harmonious arms — including rules for colours, contrast, and simplicity.

How many symbols should a coat of arms contain?

Most heraldic artists recommend keeping the number of symbols low. The strongest coats of arms often consist of one or only a few clear motifs.

If a family wishes to include several symbols, the shield may be divided into sections — for example into four parts — with each section bearing its own motif. Four symbols are generally considered the upper limit for a harmonious design.

Can a coat of arms contain modern symbols?

Yes. Although heraldry has its roots in the Middle Ages, it remains a living tradition. Many modern family arms include symbols that represent contemporary values or interests.

These may include books, compasses, bridges, or other motifs that say something about the family's identity. What matters most is that the symbols can still be drawn clearly and simply within the heraldic tradition.

What are canting arms?

Canting arms are coats of arms in which the symbols play on the family name. This may be direct — such as a rose for a family named Rose — or more inventive, where the name is divided into several visual elements.

A name such as Rosendal, for example, might be represented by a rose and a valley within the shield. This type of arms has been popular in heraldry since the Middle Ages because it makes the arms easy to remember.