* Symbols are used to represent something. What symbols do we use in everyday life? RecycleDollarsCopyright

* Symbols help people identify what they are looking at. * How many more symbols can you think of in the next 5 minutes? Make a list: * --

* Here are some symbols that were used when Coat of Arms were created. There are a lot so this is just a sample. Agricultural ToolsLabouring in the earth and depending upon providence; see also Scythe and Sickle AnchorHope; religious steadfastness AnnuletFidelity AntelopeA mythical animal with the body of a stag, the tail of a unicorn, a tusk at the tip of the nose, tufts down the back of the neck, chest, and thighs Arm (or Hand) in Armour or Embowed A person with qualities of leadership

Axe Execution of military duty Beacon One who is watchful, who gave the signal in time of danger Bear Strength, cunning, ferocity in the protection of one's kindred Beaver Industry and perseverance Bee Efficient Industry Bells Power to disperse evil spirits; a hawk's bells denotes one who was not afraid of signalling his approach in peace or war

Bishops Mitre Authority Boar Bravery; fights to the death Buck One who will not fight unless provoked; peace and harmony Bulls Head Valour, bravery, generosity Cannon and Cannon Balls One who has dared the terror of such a weapon in battle Candle Light, life, and spirituality

Castle Safety Cat Liberty, vigilance, forecast, and courage Cinquefoils Clarion Ready for war Column Fortitude and constancy; with serpent coiled around it, wisdom with fortitude Cornucopia (horn of plenty) The bounty of nature's gifts Hope and joy

Deer One who will not fight unless provoked; peace and harmony Dog Courage, vigilance, and loyalty Dolphin Swiftness, diligence, salvation, charity, and love Dove Loving constancy and peace; the Holy Spirit; with an olive branch in its bill, it signifies a harbinger of good tidings Duck Person of many resources Ermine Spot Mark of Dignity

Escarbuncle Supremacy; brilliant gem Estoile Grasshopper Noble and home-bred Huitfoil Mark of cadency for the ninth son Label Indicates first-born Lamp Lantern Light, life, and spirituality Celestial goodness; noble person

Lion Dauntless courage Martlet Symbol of the fourth son (mark of difference); may signify one who has to subsist by virtue and merit, not inheritance Mullet Divine quality from above; mark of third son Paschal Lamb Faith, innocence, bravery, gentleness, purity, resolute spirit Peacock Beauty, power, and knowledge Pelican Self-sacrifice and charitable nature; When feeding her young ("in her piety"), symbolizes the duties of a parent or parental love

Quatrefoil (Primrose) Brings good tidings Rose Mark of the seventh son; Hope and joy; see also meanings for specific colors of roses Serpent/Snake/Lizard Wisdom Swan Poetic harmony and learning, or lover thereof; light, love, grace, sincerity, perfection Tiger Fierceness and valour; resentment; dangerous if aroused Water Bouget One who carried water to an army or a besieged place

* Colours have different meanings. * Can you think of any? *

Red is the colour of fire and blood - energy, war, danger, strength, power, determination as well as passion, desire, and love. In Heraldry, it represented courage Light red: passion, sensitivity, and love. Pink: romance, love, and friendship. It denotes feminine qualities and passiveness. Dark red: vigour, willpower, rage, anger, leadership, courage Brown suggests stability and denotes masculine qualities. Red

Orange Orange combines the energy of red and the happiness of yellow. It is associated with joy, sunshine, and the tropics. Orange represents enthusiasm, fascination, happiness, creativity, determination, attraction, success, encouragement, and stimulation. Dark orange: deceit and distrust. Red-orange: desire, passion, pleasure, domination, aggression Gold: illumination, wisdom, and wealth. Gold often symbolizes high quality.

Yellow is the colour of sunshine. It's associated with joy, happiness, intellect, and energy. Dull (dingy) yellow: caution, decay, sickness, and jealousy. Light yellow: intellect, freshness, and joy. Yellow

Green Green is the colour of nature. It symbolizes growth, harmony, freshness, and fertility. Green has strong emotional correspondence with safety. Dark green is also commonly associated with money. Dark green: ambition, greed, and jealousy. Yellow-green: sickness, cowardice, discord, and jealousy. Aqua: emotional healing and protection. Olive green: traditional colour of peace.

Blue Blue is the colour of the sky and sea. It is often associated with depth and stability. It symbolizes trust, loyalty, wisdom, confidence, intelligence, faith, truth, and heaven. In heraldry, blue is used to symbolize piety and sincerity. Light blue: health, healing, tranquillity, understanding, and softness. Dark blue: knowledge, power, integrity, and seriousness.

Purple Purple combines the stability of blue and the energy of red. Purple is associated with royalty. It symbolizes power, nobility, luxury, and ambition. It conveys wealth and extravagance. Purple is associated with wisdom, dignity, independence, creativity, mystery, and magic. Light purple: evokes romantic and nostalgic feelings. Dark purple: evokes gloom and sad feelings. It can cause frustration.

White White is associated with light, goodness, innocence, purity, and virginity. It is considered to be the colour of perfection. White means safety, purity, and cleanliness. As opposed to black, white usually has a positive connotation. White can represent a successful beginning. In heraldry, white depicts faith and purity.

Black Black is associated with power, elegance, formality, death, evil, and mystery. Black is a mysterious colour associated with fear and the unknown (black holes). It usually has a negative connotation (blacklist, black humour, 'black death'). Black denotes strength and authority; it is considered to be a very formal, elegant, and prestigious colour (black tie, black Mercedes). In heraldry, black is the symbol of grief.