Re: Heraldic "Meanings"
Posted: 07 Aug 2015, 19:30
My take on the topic, hopefully consistent with all the above comments but as usual for me, more wordy.
A particular charge or color may well be included for some symbolic reference, which may be obvious (Vert for Mr. Green or Mr. Verde);
or a little less obvious but still clear with a little thought or minor digging (some visual reference to the etymology or history of the Name, such as commonly used symbols for Saint Whatsis for Mr. Whatsis, or a wolf for Mr. Love based on the etymology easily found in a dictionary or name book, or looking up a non-English name and looking for a cant in that language or to the English translation of the name);
or a more esoteric chain of references that will leave most observers clueless (e.g. tracking a name in a Bible Concordance, then to the Greek, Hebrew or Aramaic root word, then alternate English words derived from that original root meaning, and choosing a visual symbol somehow referencing that alternate word - a real pain in the neck, and for me at least a last resort, but may provide a secret satisfaction for family members in the know...or not...)
Or for those of us with a Scottish or Irish name, indeterminate cadency from historical Chiefly arms, whether or not the visual reference goes beyond clannish sentiments. Or a similar approach for others based loosely on the historic arms of a similarly-named place or person.
Any or all of which may, or may not, be useful in any particular case of designing new arms. But in most cases, the charge or color or whatever will likely be open to different or even contradictory symbolic inferences, and seldom if ever related to or correlated with the sort of esoteric nonsense in the lists of hidden meanings rightly trashed above.
Doesn't mean new arms can't include esoteric symbolism from the lists, but the designer can't reasonably expect others to recognize or appreciate the intended symbolism. The new design will need to stand on it's own even without the footnotes.
A particular charge or color may well be included for some symbolic reference, which may be obvious (Vert for Mr. Green or Mr. Verde);
or a little less obvious but still clear with a little thought or minor digging (some visual reference to the etymology or history of the Name, such as commonly used symbols for Saint Whatsis for Mr. Whatsis, or a wolf for Mr. Love based on the etymology easily found in a dictionary or name book, or looking up a non-English name and looking for a cant in that language or to the English translation of the name);
or a more esoteric chain of references that will leave most observers clueless (e.g. tracking a name in a Bible Concordance, then to the Greek, Hebrew or Aramaic root word, then alternate English words derived from that original root meaning, and choosing a visual symbol somehow referencing that alternate word - a real pain in the neck, and for me at least a last resort, but may provide a secret satisfaction for family members in the know...or not...)
Or for those of us with a Scottish or Irish name, indeterminate cadency from historical Chiefly arms, whether or not the visual reference goes beyond clannish sentiments. Or a similar approach for others based loosely on the historic arms of a similarly-named place or person.
Any or all of which may, or may not, be useful in any particular case of designing new arms. But in most cases, the charge or color or whatever will likely be open to different or even contradictory symbolic inferences, and seldom if ever related to or correlated with the sort of esoteric nonsense in the lists of hidden meanings rightly trashed above.
Doesn't mean new arms can't include esoteric symbolism from the lists, but the designer can't reasonably expect others to recognize or appreciate the intended symbolism. The new design will need to stand on it's own even without the footnotes.