What do the elephant tusks represent on the South African coat of arms?
Symbolism of the Coat of Arms The elephant tusks symbolise wisdom, steadfastness and strength. At the centre stands a shield, which signifies the protection of South Africans from one generation to the next. Above it is a spear and a knobkierie. Together, they assert the defence of peace rather than a posture of war.
What does each symbol on the South African coat of arms mean?
It is the symbol of the source of life, of light and the ultimate wholeness of humanity. The completed structure of the Coat of Arms combines the lower and higher oval shape in a symbol of infinity. In the symbolic sense this is the implied rebirth of the spirit of our great and heroic nation.
What do the symbols of the coat of arms mean?
Coat of arms, the principal part of a system of hereditary symbols dating back to early medieval Europe, used primarily to establish identity in battle. Arms evolved to denote family descent, adoption, alliance, property ownership, and, eventually, profession.
What other symbols are on the coat of arms?
HERALDIC SYMBOLS AND THEIR MEANINGS (Glossary)
- ABYSS: The honor point of the shield, the very center.
- ACORN: The symbol of plenty, also used in coats of arms as a pun on the name (Canting arms)
- ANCHOR: The emblem of hope, usually painted with a rope attached.
- ANNULET: A ring, the symbol of strength.
Can I use coat of arms?
There is no such thing as a ‘coat of arms for a surname’. Coats of arms belong to individuals. For any person to have a right to a coat of arms they must either have had it granted to them or be descended in the legitimate male line from a person to whom arms were granted or confirmed in the past.
What does the rising sun on the coat of arms mean?
The rising sun It is the symbol of the source of life, of light and the ultimate wholeness of Humanity. The completed structure of the Coat of Arms combines the lower and higher oval shape in a symbol of infinity.
What makes up a coat of arms?
The coat of arms on an escutcheon forms the central element of the full heraldic achievement which in its whole consists of: shield, supporters, crest, and motto. A coat of arms is traditionally unique to an individual person, family, state, organization or corporation.
What does the rising sun represent?
The symbol once thought by the Japanese to light the darkness of the world, became a symbol of darkness to the rest of Asia. In former Japanese occupied countries, the rising sun flag symbolizes Japanese imperial aggression and war crimes.
What is the meaning of national coat of arms?
A national coat of arms is a symbol which denotes an independent state in the form of a heraldic achievement. An important use for national coats of arms is as the main symbol on the covers of passports, the document used internationally to prove the citizenship of a person.
What are coat of arms used for today?
A coat of arms is a symbol used to identify families or individuals. It is a detailed design that often includes a shield, crest, helmet, motto, and more. The image could be used as a whole, or the crest can be used as a simplified symbol.
Where can the coat of arms be seen?
The Coat of Arms is the seal of state of the Government, arguably the most important of the National Emblems and is located at the top of all government documents.
What are the features of national coat of arms?
Two white wavy bands on the shield, which form the letter “Y” Two horses on either side of the shield. Some flowers at the base. An eagle standing on the shield.
What is the difference between a seal and a coat of arms?
A seal is not called a coat of arms, it may contain arms but does not by necessity contain an example of such. The origin of the term coat of arms is in the surcoat , the cloth tunic worn over armour to shield it from the sun’s rays.