Heraldic Symbols

Lion rampant

The most common heraldic beast. Typically depicted rampant (rearing on hind legs), the lion appears in the arms of England, Scotland, Norway, and countless noble families.

Bravery, valor, strength, and royalty.

Bear rampant / passant

Common in Swiss and German heraldry. The bear of Bern is one of the most famous municipal charges, and bears appear in the arms of numerous cities.

Strength, cunning, and ferocity in protection of kindred.

Stag lodged / at gaze

The hart or deer, usually depicted at full speed (courant) or with one forefoot raised (at gaze). Prominent in the arms of Württemberg and many hunting regions.

Peace, harmony, and policy. One who will not fight unless provoked.

Horse courant

Symbol of Lower Saxony and Hanover. The Saxon steed (a white horse on a red field) is one of the most recognizable German heraldic charges.

Readiness for duty, speed, and nobility.

Griffin segreant

A mythical creature with the body of a lion and head/wings of an eagle. Combines the king of beasts with the king of birds, representing exceptional valor.

Valor and death-defying bravery. Guardian of treasure and precious possessions.

Dragon rampant

A winged, four-legged serpentine creature. The Welsh dragon (Y Ddraig Goch) is the most famous heraldic dragon, though dragons appear throughout European heraldry.

Defender of treasure and a valiant protector.

Unicorn rampant

The unicorn is a key supporter of the Royal Arms of Scotland and the United Kingdom. In heraldry, it symbolizes extreme courage and is often depicted with a crown collar and chain.

Extreme courage, virtue, and strength.

Eagle displayed

The king of birds in heraldry, typically shown displayed (wings spread). The double-headed eagle was the emblem of the Holy Roman Empire and later the Russian Empire.

Strength, courage, far-sightedness, and immortality.

Pelican in her piety / vulning herself

Traditionally shown 'in her piety' — wounding her own breast to feed her young with her blood. A powerful Christian symbol frequently used in ecclesiastical heraldry.

Self-sacrifice, charity, and devotion to one's people.

Falcon close / rising

Often depicted 'belled and jessed' (with falconry equipment). Popular in the heraldry of noble families associated with the hunt.

One who does not rest until the objective is achieved.

Martlet

A stylized bird without feet, similar to a swift or swallow. Used as a cadency mark for the fourth son in English heraldry.

One who must rely on their own efforts, not resting from labor.

Fleur-de-lis

The stylized lily, most famously associated with the French monarchy. Three golden fleurs-de-lis on blue formed the arms of France for centuries.

Purity, light, and the French crown. Also associated with the Virgin Mary.

Rose barbed and seeded

The heraldic rose (shown from above with five petals) is England's national flower. The Tudor rose combines the red rose of Lancaster with the white rose of York.

Hope, joy, and the English crown.

Thistle slipped and leaved

The national emblem of Scotland. The Order of the Thistle is Scotland's highest chivalric order, with the motto 'Nemo me impune lacessit'.

Defiance and retaliation. 'No one provokes me with impunity.'

Oak tree eradicated / oak leaves

The oak tree or oak leaves appear in many German and English arms. An oak tree is the symbol of several cities, and oak wreaths denote civic honor.

Great age, endurance, and strength.

Crown / coronet

Crowns of various types indicate rank: royal crowns, ducal coronets, mural crowns (for cities), and naval crowns. Each has a specific design in heraldic convention.

Authority, dominion, and sovereign power.

Sword erect / in pale

A sword may be shown upright (in pale), crossing other charges, or held by a supporter. A sword in a gauntlet represents armed readiness.

Justice, military honor, and martial readiness.

Key / keys in saltire

Crossed keys are the emblem of the papacy (the Keys of St. Peter). Single keys appear in the arms of many cities, representing trust and guardianship.

Knowledge, guardianship, and ecclesiastical authority.

Castle triple-towered

A castle or tower is one of the most common municipal charges, appearing in the arms of hundreds of European cities. The arms of Castile feature a golden castle on red.

Safety, grandeur, and a fortified place.

Cross / per cross

The plain cross (extending to the edges of the shield) is an ordinary. Hundreds of cross variants exist: cross pattée, cross moline, cross fleury, Maltese cross, and many more.

Christian faith and the Crusades.

Saltire

A diagonal cross (X-shape), famously white on blue in the flag of Scotland (St Andrew's Cross). Also appears in the arms of many families and municipalities.

Resolution and St. Andrew's martyrdom.

Chevron

An inverted V-shape, one of the basic heraldic ordinaries. The chevron appears in the arms of many English families. Multiple chevrons (chevronels) are also used.

Protection. A symbol of those who have achieved distinction through service.

Bend / bend sinister

A diagonal band running from upper dexter (top-left) to lower sinister (bottom-right). The bend sinister (reversed) was historically associated with illegitimacy.

Defense or protection. A knight's shield strap.

Pale

A vertical band running down the center of the shield, one of the basic heraldic ordinaries. 'Per pale' (divided vertically) is a common partition of the field.

Military strength and fortitude.

Fess

A horizontal band across the center of the shield. The fess divides the shield into roughly three equal parts and is one of the most ancient ordinaries.

Military belt or girdle of honor.