ANTELOPES

The word comes from Medieval Latin anthalopus and from Late Greek antholops. It was only the Egyptian elite who were allowed to hunt various species of Antelope and Ibex and considered them magical, and even had amulets made in their shapes.

In Heraldry, Antelopes seem to appear more often in the arms of royalty but not exclusively so. The symbol represents action, agility and sacrifice and a very worthy guardian that is not easily provoked, but can be fierce when challenged.

In Sumerian mythology, the antelope was both a lunar and solar animal. As a solar creature it was sacred to the God Ea who was sometimes called Ea-Onnes ("the antelope of Apsu and of creation") and the God Marduk. In its lunar form the antelope or gazelle was sacred to the Goddess Astarte. In Egyptian Lore, this animal represented Osiris and Horus, but was also sacred to the Goddess Isis, and it was sacrificed to the desert God Set.

In most of Asia Minor the antelope was considered to be a lunar animal and associated with the Great Mother. In India it was an emblem of Shive, the chariots of Chandra.

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BEE

In Christian tradition, the Bee was the emblem of Christ, of his forgiveness (the sweetness of his honey), with his justice (through its sting), and Christian virtues, because of the exemplary way worker bees behave towards their queen.

It is an ancient Minoan symbol of the soul; Melissa the bee is the symbol of the Goddess of Regeneration.

It is also an ancient belief that bees were begotten of bulls. An emblem of Regal power (the Egyptians) the Bee denotes a well-governed industry, resurrection, steadfastness and obedience.

ANNULETS

The emblem of fidelity; a ring worn as a sign of Knighthood (Roman)…it stood as the symbol of nobility and jurisdiction, and was the gage of royal favour and protection; also a mark of Cadency of the fifth son. Commonly called in Latin, Annulus, but by Cambden, Annellm, which perhaps he took from the French, Annelet, for so they call them. And Colomliere speaks of them thus: " The Hiero^ glyphick of the Ring is very various; some of the " Ancients made it to denote Servitude, alleging, " that the Bridegroom uses to give it to his Bride, " to denote to her that she is to be subject to him, which Pythagoras seem'd to confirm, when he prohibited wearing a Ring, that is, not to (' submit to over rigid Servitude). Many believe the Rings do rather denote the Truth and Fidelity they owe to one another, than that they import any Servitude. The Romans by the Ring represented Liberty and Nobility, and none among them were allow'd to wear it, but such as were of their Knightly Degree, and Soldiers of Renown. A Ring may also signify Secrecy, especially if it have a Seal cut on it : And it may be the Emblem of Love, if the Face, the Cypher, or the Arms of the Person belov'd are engrav'd on it. The Ring also denotes Strength, by reason of its circular Figure ; so that this Figure is graceful and of great Signification.

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BOW AND ARROW

Denotes a man resolved to abide the uttermost hazard of battle, which to that end has furnished himself to the full. A symbol of Artemis the Greek Goddess of the hunt, nature and birth. Many of Artemis’ roles may appear incompatible in nature. She is associated with death, brought swiftly through her arrows and healing.

She is both Goddess of the hunt and the protector of wild animals. The Bow and Arrow, together or as separate charges often represent canting arms (canting arms are heraldic bearings that represent the bearer's name in a visual pun or rebus). Eg: Bowman, Fletcher, Archer etc.; the French for arrow is flèche. Sagittarius (Latin for Archer) is one of the constellations of the zodiac.

Sagittarius is commonly represented as a centaur drawing a bow.

FIGHTING IRISH III

is now available at the website

a Monster collection of over 1450 Coats of Arms recorded in Ireland.

If you have an Irish surname or an English or Scottish one, with an Irish branch, you'll likely find it here.

GAELIC CRESTS-SCOTLAND

Similar to the Gaelic Crest-Ireland featured on site we prepared a Scottish version and have included it in the Gold collection.

BLAZON TIP

The key to a good blazon is when you can create a coat of arms from the blazon only, without the benefit of an image. How a blazon is worded is dependant on source (herald, manuscript etc), heraldic education and/or experience with the art of blazoning, country of origin and your personal style. Blazons are subject to interpretation, and of course, opinion.

If you need help with a blazon email the office and we'll do our best to help you. French to English translations are also available when time permits.

We are leaving this help tip up, as more and more of you are upgrading

your Corel Draw software to X3 or X4 or X6

Corel Draw has changed some default settings in X3 and X4 that can render your vector images black, do the same for your F9 preview and in the case of X4 display your image excessively dark.

Fixes:

• Top Command Bar/View Select 'enhanced' and not 'enhanced with overprints';

• Top Command Bar/Tools/Color Management Color Mode for Effects-should be set at RGB (not CMYK); 

• Top Command Bar/Tools Select 'Save Settings as default' ;

• When importing AG graphics into X4, make sure you first group your image before using the F9 full screen preview (X3 imports the graphic already grouped).