SYMBOLISM OF HERALDIC COLORS, FURS, LINES & ORDINARIES or...

What does it mean if your coat of arms bears a red boar's head?

The following descriptions and meanings are gleaned from a variety of sources, some of which disagree on those meanings. The most commonly accepted meanings are given, but scholars vary in the their opinions concerning the reliability of any "commonly held" historic meanings for coats of arms and crests.

For examples of the different positions for heraldic animals, see our "Sample Lions In Heraldry" page.

Element	Illustration	Meaning
Labarum (Constantine's Cross)		Good omen; Christianity
Label		Indicates first-born. See Marks of Cadency
Ladder (Scaling Ladder)		One who was fearless in attacking; if against a tower, be on guard against spiritual and corporeal enemies
Lamb or Ewe		Gentleness and patience under suffering
Lamb carrying staff or banner with a cross (paschal lamb)		Faith; innocence, bravery, gentleness, purity, resolute spirit
Lamp/Lantern (See also "Candle")		Light, life, and spirituality
Lance or Javelin		The perfection of martial affairs; emblem of knightly service; devotion to honour
Laurel Leaves		Peace and/or triumph; success, renown, glory and victory
Lavender		Constancy and loyalty
Leg		Strength, stability, and expedition
Lemur
Leopard or Ounce		Valiant and hardy warrior who enterprises hazardous things by force and courage
Leopard's head swallowing a fleur-de-lis (jessant)		Represents the lion of England swallowing the lily of France
Letter (i.e., A, B, C)		May represent great battles or tournaments beginning with that letter
Level		Equity and upright action; virtuous person
Lightning Bolt		Swiftness and power
Lilac		Beauty, pride, youth, innocence
Lily		Purity; see "Fleur-de-lis"
Linden branch or leaves		Life, vitality, energy, resurrection
Lion	(See Sample Lions)	Dauntless courage; Bravery, strength, ferocity, and valour
Lotus		Mystery and truth; perfection, purity
Lozenge or Lozengy		Honesty & Constancy
Lunel (Four crescent moons facing each other)		One who has been honored by the sovereign; hope of greater glory
Lupine		Imagination
Lure (hawk's)		One who is fond of the highest pursuits, such as hunting and falconry
Lymphad (See also Ship)		See Ship
Lyre		Contemplation; tempered judgment
Man		Various meanings
Magnolia		Nobility, perseverance, love of nature
Maple leaf		Gift-giving; bestowing honor
Marigold		Devotion and piety; Splendid beauty and sweetness
Martlet (footless swallow)		Symbol of the fourth son (mark of difference); may signify one who has to subsist by virtue and merit, not inheritance
Mascle (hollowed out lozenge)		Persuasiveness
Masonic Square
Mastiff		Courage, vigilance, and loyalty
Matches		(Usually in a roll and fired) Possible reference to one who has dared the terror of such a weapon in battle
Maunch (lady's sleeve)		"For my lady's sake"
Mermaid		Eloquence
Millpick		Miller's tool
Millrind (or millstone)		The mutual converse of human society; miller's tool
Mint		Virtue; Warm feelings
Mitre (See Bishop's Mitre for more images)		Authority
Mole		Unknown
Monkey		Unknown
Moon		Serene power over mundane actions
Moor/Saracen/Turk		Dates back to the Middle Ages when it was considered an honor to take a Moor's head
Moor fowl or Moor-cock		Association with the law or the legal profession
Mortar Piece		One who has dared the terror of such a weapon in battle
Morning Glory		Affection
Mount/Mound (See "Coupeaux")		(Rounded terrace at base of the shield) Unknown; may be purely an artistic device
Mulberries		Liberality, felicity, and peace
Mule		Often borne by abbots and abbesses who have pastoral jurisdiction, but not real jurisdiction
Mullet (Star)		Divine quality from above; mark of third son
Musical Pipes		Festivity and rejoicing
Myrtle		Love, mirth and joy
Nettle Leaf		"Sting of death" to all foes; pride, vanity
Oak Garb or Sheaf		The harvest of one's hopes has been secured
Oak Tree, Leaves, Bush		Great age and strength; Heroism and victory
Oak Tree/Bush with Acorns		Continuous growth and fertility
Olive Branch or Leaves		Peace and concordance; reconciliation
Orange Blossom		Marriage and fecundity; Virginity and innocence
Orchid		Magnificence
Orle	(example with roses)	Circle of something; Preservation or protection
Ostrich/Ostrich plumes		Willing obedience and serenity
Otter		One who lives life to the fullest
Owl	(See Examples of Owls)	One who is vigilant and of acute wit
Ox		Valour and generosity
Pale/Palet/Pallet/Paly		Military strength
Palm Branch		Victory, justice, and royal honour; conquest, success and peace
Palm Tree		Righteousness and resurrection; victory; creative power and peace
Pansy		Thoughtful recollection
Panther		Fierce, but tender and loving to children and will defend her children with her life
Papal Headdress		Pope's Headdress
Parchment/Scroll/Diploma		Possible reference to academic or scholarly achievement
Parrot		Unknown
Paschal Lamb		Faith, innocence, bravery, gentleness, purity, resolute spirit
Passion Nails		Token of poignant suffering undergone by the bearer
Pavilion		Readiness for battle
Peacock		Beauty, power, and knowledge
Peacock Feather		Beauty, power, and knowledge
Pear		Felicity and peace
Pegasus	See Examples of Pegasus	Poetic genius and inspiration; messenger of God
Pelican		Self-sacrifice and charitable nature; When feeding her young ("in her piety"), symbolizes the duties of a parent or parental love
Pen		Art of writing and educated employment
Pennon or Flag		Refers to some special action in which it was captured or as a reward for gallant service
Peony		Healing
Periwinkle (blue quatrefoil)	See "Quatrefoil"	Hope and joy
Petunia		Soothing presence
Pheasant		Person of many resources
Pheon (Spear-head)		Dexterity and nimble wit; readiness for battle
Phoenix		Symbol of resurrection
Pig		Fertility
Pike (Fish) (See also Spear)		A true, generous mind; virtuous for himself, not because of his heritage; also unity with Christ, spiritual nourishment.
Pile		Represents large pieces of wood used in building bridges; engineering skills, builder; May represent a pennon or flag
Pilgrim's Stave/Staff Palmer's Stave/Staff		The shepherd's watchfulness; Christian faith; pastoral authority; also may refer to early pilgrimages to Jerusalem
Pillar (See Column)		Fortitude and constancy; with serpent coiled around it, wisdom with fortitude
Pincers		Honour; emblem of the smith's trade
Pine		Death and eternal life thereafter
Pine Cone		Life
Pineapple		Hospitality; warm welcomes; celebration
Pipes (See Musical Pipes)		Festivity and rejoicing
Pitcher		Office of service
Plant		Hope and joy
Plow or Ploughshare		Labouring in the earth and depending upon providence
Plume of feathers		Sign of willing obedience and serenity of mind
Plummet		Equity and upright action; virtuous person
Poinsettia		Purity; Christmas
Pomegranate Fruit		Fertility and abundance; prosperity
Poplar leaf		Hope and joy
Poppy (sanguine quatrefoil)		Hope and joy; Imagination and dreaminess
Portcullis (Castle Gate)		Protection in an emergency
Primrose (Cowslip)		Innocence and youth; young love
Proboscides		Elephant trunks; usually represented in pairs; the elephant symbolizes longevity, strength, royalty, dignity, patience, wisdom, happiness, and good luck
Pussy Willow		Motherhood