ARGENT
Argent is silver in blazonry. It is taken from the metal and denotes nobility, serinity, and peace. Silver has also been associated with the qualities of purity and chastity, because it withstands the test of fire.
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BEND
Bend is the diagonal division of a shield. In ancient times it was the shoulder belt of armament worn about the shoulder and arm.
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SABLE
This colour, black, comes from the fur of an animal and is associated with night and repentance. The quality of serenity is attributed to the tincture, sable, from scriptiral sources.
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CROWN
The crown is a symbol which aquired many different variations in form and meaning through the centries. Some of it's meaning are: sovereignity, victory, and royalty.
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ERMINE
This tincture originates from the regal fur, ermine, and is composed of a white background with black spots. The fur signifies royalty and aristocracy. The animal itself symbolizes purity, from the legend that it preferred death to defilement.
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SALMON
Fish have long appeared on coats-of-arms. They are probably indicative of fertility and abundance and, of course, the fact that long ago families would live by using the natural resources of land, water and sky.
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BARRY
This discribes the shield divided by horizontal lines, and represents the military belt and girdle of honour worn in ancient times.
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THE MANTLE
The mantle or scrollwork about the shield was taken from the cloak worn by the knight. It is purely decorative, the swirls and twists originally indicative of the torn mantle and slashes incurred in battles.
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