Heraldry and the use of symbolism in art

Presented by: bruceblackart.com

What is a symbol?

Can you think of one symbol that would best represent

who you are?

Before we talk about heraldry, let’s discuss symbolism for a bit.

Here are some symbols that are part of our everyday life. They are instantly recognizable.

What are some other symbols that we use?

The Fleur de Lis is a symbol that has been used in imagery for centuries. This one is from an Egyptian Temple made around 200 B.C.E

In the last slide, the shield had a fleur de Lis on it. Did you know that this symbol has a long history dating back as far as ancient Egypt?

Legend The English translation of "fleur-de-lis" (sometimes spelled "fleur-de-lys") is "flower of the lily." This symbol, depicting a stylized lily or lotus flower, has many meanings. Traditionally, it has been used to represent French royalty, and in that sense it is said to signify perfection, light, and life. Legend has it that an angel presented Clovis, the Merovingian king of the Franks, with a golden lily as a symbol of his purification upon his conversion to Christianity. Others claim that Clovis adopted the symbol when water lilies showed him how to safely cross a river and thus

succeed in battle.

In the Middle Ages the symbols of lily and fleur-de-lis overlapped considerably in religious art.

Michel Pastoureau, the historian, says that until about 1300 they were found in depictions of Jesus, but gradually they took on Marian symbolism and were associated with the Song of Solomon’s "lily among thorns," understood as a reference to Mary. Other scripture and religious literature in which the lily symbolizes purity and chastity also helped establish the flower as an iconographic attribute of the Virgin.

Fleur-de-lis on 14th century Syrian albarello.

Religion and War Joan of Arc carried a white banner that showed God blessing the French royal emblem, the fleur-de-lis, when she led French troops to victory over the English in support of the Dauphin, Charles VII, in his quest for the French throne.

The Roman Catholic Church ascribed the lily as the special emblem of the Virgin Mary.

Due to its three "petals," the fleur-de-lis has also been used to represent the Holy Trinity.

Military units, including divisions of the United States Army, have used the symbol's resemblance to a spearhead to identify martial power and strength.

In the 14th century, the fleur-de-lis was often incorporated into the family insignia that was sewn on the knight's surcoat, which was worn over their coat of mail, thus the term, "coat of arms."

The original purpose of identification in battle developed into a system of social status designations after 1483 when King Edmund IV established the Heralds' College to supervise the granting of armor insignia.

Heraldry and the Fleur de lisIn the twelfth century, either King Louis VI or King Louis VII (sources disagree) became the first French monarch to use the fleur-de-lis on his shield. English kings later used the symbol on their coats of arms to emphasize their claims to the throne of France.

The arms of Edward III (from 1340),including the fleur-de-lis; similararms were used by subsequentEnglish monarchs until 1800

French arms before 1376(France

HERALDRYWarriors have painted symbols on their shields for a long time, but it was not until around the 1200s that they began to be used as a legacy continuing from one generation to the next.

The tomb of Geoffrey V, Count of Anjou(died 1151) is the first recorded example of hereditary armory in Europe. The same shield shown here is found on the tomb effigy of his grandson, William Longespée, 3rd Earl of Salisbury

Heraldry is the profession, study, or art of devising, granting, and blazoning arms and ruling on questions of rank or protocol, as exercised by an officer of arms. Heraldry comes from Anglo-Norman herald, from the Germanic compound *harja-waldaz, "army commander". The word, in its most general sense, encompasses all matters relating to the duties and responsibilities of officers of arms. To most, though, heraldry is the practice of designing, displaying, describing, and recording coats of arms and heraldic badges.

Historically, it has been variously described as "the shorthand of history" and "the floral border in the garden of history.“

The origins of heraldry lie in the need to distinguish participants in combat when their faces were hidden by iron and steel helmets. Eventually a formal system of rules developed into ever more complex forms of heraldry.

Though heraldry is nearly 900 years old, it is still very much in use. Many cities and towns in Europe and around the world still make use of arms. Personal heraldry, both legally protected and lawfully assumed, has continued to be used around the world. Heraldic societies exist to promote education and understanding about the subject.

In HERALDRY, each portion of the shield has a name and a function.

Nothing is superfluous!

Now, Design your own coat of arms!

For this project, you will create a personal coat of arms for yourself.

1. Think of your strongest personality trait. Now think of an animal that would symbolize that trait.

2. What is your lineage? Is there a symbol that you can think of that best represents your heritage or your familie’s past history?

3. Which two colors do you think depict your personality? Create a pattern using just these colors.

4. What activities define you? What symbols could you create to show those activities?

5. What’s one thing you would like to achieve in the next five years? How about the next ten years?

LET’S GET STARTED!

6. What is your astrological sign? Draw a picture of it.

7. Are you strongly religious? Is there a symbol that represents your faith?

8. Does have your family have any heirlooms that have been passed down? For example: a watch, set of china, war medals?

9. How can you symbolize your time at CPA?

10. How many people are in your family? Is family important to you? How could you symbolize your family?

END OF SLIDE SHOW… the rest is up to you!

Presented by: bruceblackart.com another pretty good artist!