Coat of arms 🛡️

A coat of arms, also known as an ensign armorial or heraldic shield, is a decorative design used to identify individuals, families, and institutions. Its purpose is to visually distinguish among people and their backgrounds. It usually consists of a shield, crest, helm, mantling, and supporters, but let’s be honest, no one really cares about the technical stuff.

The coat of arms originated in medieval Europe when knights needed a way to quickly identify friends from foes on the battlefield. Today, it has become a sign of prestige, honor, and wealth, but most people just think it’s an excuse to put a fancy picture on their stationary.

Sometimes, the symbols on a coat of arms are meant to represent the virtues of the individual or the institution. For example, a lion could symbolize strength and courage, while a unicorn could represent gentleness and purity. But other times, it seems like the designer just chose random animals and objects based on what they thought looked cool.

One famous example of a coat of arms with a questionable design is that of the Monty Python comedy troupe. Their coat of arms features a crest with a foot, and the motto “Sit on my face and tell me that you love me.” It’s safe to say that they weren’t too concerned with representing their virtues.

So, the next time someone shows off their family crest or institutional logo, just remember that it’s either a mark of prestige or a way to show off a quirky personality. Either way, it’s worth a chuckle. 🤣