Most of us are intimidated by the concept of "family arms" believing that they must be inherited to be authentic. Not so! The origin of arms was, of course, to enable knights in full armor to identify themselves to others. Even today combatants, be they armies or sports teams, must identify clearly which side they belong to. Thus we have all the various uniforms. We are so accustomed to this that we seldom think of clothing as a form of heraldry. But just consider how much information we glean from what any given person is wearing!

So, we are constantly endeavoring to identify ourselves even though we do it almost unconsciously.

The reward of creating your own coat of arms is, first taking the time to discover how you wish to identify yourself, then deciding on clear and simple symbols to achieve that identification. Having done this (not so easy as it sounds) assembling them into an emblem that tells your story. And here is where the ancient rules of Heraldry come to your assistance in a most wonderful way..

ABOUT MY COAT-OF-ARMS

My coat of arms was executed by William Armstrong Lewis, a heraldic artist and a dear friend. Thanks to Bill I learned that it’s altogether legitimate to design your own coat of arms. Having an artist friend to render it is all to the good. But the important thing is to find clear and simple symbols that describe who you are, or who you aspire to be, symbols that identify your uniqueness. Adhering to the ancient rules of heraldry makes it all more fun and challenging.

As a woman I might have used a lozenge (diamond) shape but I chose the shield. The dipper and North Star above and the Southern Cross below on an indigo field represent the northern and southern hemispheres of planet Earth.   The bend (or band), curved because I like the gracefulness of a curve, represents the environment: silver for water, the river of life, and green for the land and that which grows on it. The whole suggests my personal desire to be an involved and appreciative citizen of the world.

The crest is a Scottish wildcat sedant, (sitting,) which honors pride in my Scots ancestry. In his upraised claw the cat holds a heart. I hope I am a loving person. The scroll at the bottom should contain a motto. At the time of the designing and painting of the arms I had not decided on a motto. Now I think it should simply be the motto of Clan Chattan, of which my clan McBain is a sept (member) “Touch not the cat bot (without) a glove.”  

HOME

Home • Color • B&W • Biography • Heraldry • Contact me • Links ©2005 Pictures are property of Loel B. Shuler and not to be copied or otherwised used without permission