1. Medieval Shields

2. Background Medieval Shield Designs
The Medieval Shield Medieval Shields were developed to shield, or protect, a knight or soldier from the direct blows from the weapons of their enemies. Medieval shields were made of a variety of materials including Hide or animal skins (leather), Bark, Wood, Metal, Leather-covered wood and Wicker or basket work. The art of designing, displaying, describing, and recording arms is called heraldry.
Medieval Shield Designs. Medieval shield designs were decorated with symbols which were used as a means to recognise a knight when they were jousting at tournaments and on the battlefield. The decoration and colors on a shield, or the shield symbols were therefore highly functional allowing knights to be easily recognised.

3. Colors and Their Meanings
Shield Colors: Yellow or Gold - Generosity White or Silver - Peace & Sincerity Black - Constancy (& sometimes Grief) Blue - Loyalty & Truthfulness Red - Military Fortitude & Magnanimity Green - Hope, Joy & sometimes Loyalty Purple - Royal Majesty, Sovereignty & Justice 3

4. Animals
Heraldic Animals: Bear - Protectiveness Bee - Industriousness Camel - Perseverance Dog - Loyalty Double Eagle & Eagle - Leadership & Decisiveness Dragon - Defender of Treasure Falcon or Hawk - Eagerness Fox - Cleverness Griffin (part eagle, part lion) - Bravery Horse - Readiness to Serve Lion - Courage Pelican - Generosity & Devotion Raven - Constancy Snake - Ambition Stag, Elk or Deer - Peace & Harmony Tiger - Fierceness & Valor Unicorn - Extreme courage Wolf - Constant Vigilance 4

5. Lines
Zigzag Lines represented Fire
Wavy Line represented Sea or Water
Bumpy Line represented Earth or Land
Crenulated Line represented a Town or Wall

6. Symbols
Heraldic Symbols: Axe - Dutiful Bridge - (signifies a governor or magistrate) Crescent - Enlightenment Crosses - Christian sentiments Crown - Authority Fire - Zeal Flaming Heart - Passion Fleur-de-lys (stylized Iris flower) - Purity (associated with France) Hand - Faith, Sincerity & Justice Heart - Sincerity Horns & Antlers - Fortitude Lightning - Decisiveness Moon - Serenity Oyster Shell - Traveler Ring - Fidelity Scepter - Justice Star - Nobility Sun - Glory Sword - Warlike Tower or Castle - Fortitude & Protectiveness 6

7. Other Design Options
Common Design Features (heraldic terminology): Bend - a diagonal stripe Chevron - an upside-down "V" Chief - broad stripe across top of shield Dexter - the right-hand side of the shield (from its user's perspective) Ermine - a white fur pattern (with black tail tips) Fess - broad horizontal stripe through center Pale - broad vertical stripe through center Passant - an animal shown walking Rampant - an animal standing on hind legs Sinister - the left-hand side of the shield (from its user's perspective) 7

8. Example Coats of arms 8

9. Example Coat of Arms 9