This weeks showcased coat-of-arms will be the surname Anderson from Denmark. I can find over 16 different registered coats-of-arms with this name. As always unless you know your direct ancestry it is impossible to know which one of the coats-of-arms would be in your ancestral line and in these cases I refer to the oldest coat-of-arms I can find. Information for this coat-of-arms was found in 'Rietstaps Armorial General'.
CREST: A
greyhounds head couped per pale or (gold) and sable (black) on the
the neck a saltire counter-changed
MOTTO: VIRTUTE
ET FORTUNA (By Valor And Good Fortune)
Lets
break this down. We will start with the arms:
ARGENT
(Silver or White): Sometimes fancifully called Luna in the
arms of princes, as also Pearl in those of peers: peace and
sincerity.
CHEVRON: Protection;
granted as a reward to one who has achieved some notable enterprise.
Said to represent the rooftree of a house, and has sometimes been
given to those who have built churches or fortresses or who have
accomplished some work of faithful service.
GULES
(Red): The term is probably derived from the Arabic gule, a
red rose; introduced by the Crusaders. Some historians feel the word
is derived from the Latin gula, which in old French is found as
gueule, i.e. the "red throat of an animal." Others, again,
have tried to find the origin in the Hebrew word gulade, which
signifies red cloth. Symbolizes a warrior or martyr; military
strength and magnanimity.
MULLET
(star): Usually 5 pointed however, in French heraldry the
mullet is a six-pointed star. It usually represents the rowel of a
spur. The mullet is also the mark of distinction of the third son. Is
also said to denote some Divine quality bestowed from above.
VERT
(Green); (fr. sinople): The French are said to have called
it Sinople, from a town in Asia Minor (Sinope) from which were
brought the best materials for dyeing green, or silks and stuffs of a
brilliant green color; signifies hope, joy, and loyalty in love.
QUATREFOIL
(Fr. Quartefeuille): A charge the design of which may have
been derived from some four-leaved flower, but more probably produced
in the course of the ordinary workman’s craft. When quatrefoils are
slipped, the stalk should join the lower leaf. It is sometimes spelt
caterfoil.
OR
(Gold or Yellow): Known as 'jaune'; symbolizes generosity
and elevation of the mind; one of the two metals of Heraldry. 'Or' is
from Latin aurum): the chief of the tinctures; it is called Sol by
those who blazon by the sun and planets.
Next
we will do the crest:
GREYHOUND: Are
one of the oldest breeds of dogs, and appear in art and literature
throughout history. The breed was developed nearly 5,000 years ago in
Egypt. Known in England before the 9th century, the Greyhound was
bred and raised by the aristocracy. For 700 years it was illegal
under English law for a commoner to own a Greyhound. It was used to
hunt small game, especially hares. In ancient Egypt the Greyhound
were not only companions, but they were revered and almost worshiped;
they were cherished so much that a birth of one was second in
importance only to the birth of a human boy. When a pet Greyhound
died the entire family mourned by shaving their heads, fasting and
crying. When Greyhounds died, they were buried, mummified, and placed
in the tomb of their owner. Often the tombs were decorated with
figures of favorite Greyhounds. Greek mythological figures were often
portrayed with Greyhounds and Hecate, goddess of wealth, is often
shown with a Greyhound. The same is true for Pollex, protector of the
hunt. The ancient Romans also had an appreciation of the Greyhound;
their Gods and Goddesses, were shown with Greyhounds.
COUPED: Cut
off smoothly, as distinguished from erased and is especially used to
describe the way the head or limb of an animal is displayed.
PER
PALE: Represents two
or more branches of the same family being represented on one coat of
arms or a reference to kinfolk such as the house of the father and
the house of the mother etc.
OR
(Gold or Yellow): Known
as 'jaune'; symbolizes generosity and elevation of the mind; one of
the two metals of Heraldry. 'Or' is from Latin aurum): the chief of
the tinctures; it is called Sol by those who blazon by the sun and
planets.
SABLE
(Black): Derived from animals with black feet called Sable;
signifies constancy or sometimes grief; mysteriousness.
SALTIRE: The
term is from Middle English sautire, which is from Middle French
saultoir or saulter to jump, or from Latin saltare. In the days of
old the Saltire was made of the height of man and was driven full of
pinnes (metal pegs), the use whereof was to scale the low walls of
towns; from this interpretation the Saltire was bestowed upon one who
was successful in accomplishing such a military mission. The Saltire
is also known as St. Andrew’s cross as according to legend is that
shape because the apostle Andrew petitioned the Roman authorities who
had sentenced him to death not to crucify him on the same shape of
cross as Christ, and this was granted. St. Andrew is Scotland’s
patron saint and the Saltire is today its flag and national symbol;
from this interpretation the Saltire is in recognition of Scotland,
its patron saint, faith and resolution.
COUNTER-CHANGED
(fr. Contre): Simply means opposite.
Next week we will showcase the coat-of-arms of 'Foreman'.
Showcase Product Of The Week:
Next week we will showcase the coat-of-arms of 'Foreman'.
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