Talk:Coat of arms

Japan

Should discuss unusual phenomenon of rare Japanese armigers, such as the current Emperor. --99.139.239.108 (talk) 18:35, 6 July 2008 (UTC)

Questions

Though a coat of arms certainly has to do with heraldry, I think it deserves its own article. jheijmans

I did consider the option of renaming the Heraldry page to Coat of arms as this is all it currently covers. One definition (which I would concur with) is

The art or office of a herald; the art, practice, or science of recording genealogies, and blazoning arms or ensigns armorial; also, of marshaling cavalcades, processions, and public ceremonies. Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc. User:Rjstott

• "Experts" NEVER use the term "Coat of Arms" when they could use Armorial Bearings! Skull 'n' Femurs 16:00, 30 November 2005 (UTC)

That is simply false. What I suspect you mean is that when they're feeling in a formal mood they tend to write "armorial bearings." But in everyday speech and writing, they use "coat of arms" or (even more frequently) "arms" as shorthand all the time: [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] etc., etc. Doops | talk 18:45, 30 November 2005 (UTC)

User Doopshas validated my point, above, by trying to refute it. All the references cited are “magazine” or “brochure” style pages. The articles in Wikipedia form a more formal encyclopedia and should use a more formal style. "Experts" NEVER use the term "Coat of Arms" when they could use Armorial Bearings in a formal context, such as here in the Wikipedia. "Arms" may well be used, if referenced or defined - when first used - to replace of the continuous use of “Armorial Bearings”. "The origin of the Coat of Arms was a jacket or tabard worn by a mediaeval Knight over his armour in order to identify himself. Nowadays the expression "Coat of Arms" is generally applied to what is officially called an "Achievement", which consists of various parts: a shield, helmet, mantling, wreath, crest, motto and sometimes supporters and decorations." [6] Now here, "generally applied" is not in a more formal context, such as a Wikipedia article. Talk Skull 'n' Femurs 10:24, 2 December 2005 (UTC)

Well, then, I misunderstood your point. Sorry. I thought you were trying to imply that the phrase "coat of arms" is somehow wrong. It isn't. We should reserve our opprobrium for things (like "crest of arms") which are actually out-and-out wrong.

I think, too, that you're overestimating the informality of "coat of arms." It's not tee-shirt-and-jeans informal; it's shirt-and-tie informal. If the wikipedia changed every instance of "arms" or "coat of arms" to "armorial bearings" it would be dressing up in white-tie-and-tails formal, which is overkill, even for the wikipedia. You're right, of course, that heralds use "arms" more often than "coat of arms" — "arms" is shorter! In for a penny, in for a pound. Doops | talk 10:31, 2 December 2005 (UTC)

By the way, it was silly that "armorial bearings" didn't appear in the page and didn't redirect here. I've fixed that now. Doops | talk 10:37, 2 December 2005 (UTC)

Crest of arms?

I suggested a while back that coat of arms is also sometimes referred to as crest of arms, but an editor refuted my claim (edit summary was: "crest of arms? there aint no such thing!"), but apparently Coat of arms is sometimes referred to as such[7]. I intend to re-introduce this into the article – but I'll will wait pending input from others. What ya reckon? / Ezeu 19:35, 30 November 2005 (UTC)

S/he's right; there ain't such a thing. A crest is a very specific thing, and the word is very often misued to mean something it doesn't. Like so many others, the Elmbridge council could use a vocabulary lesson. Of course the wikipedia needs to cater to all, even the misinformed, not ignore misconceptions incompletely; which is why there are notices on crest and heraldry and this page to help people learn what "crest" actually means. Doops | talk 21:35, 30 November 2005 (UTC)

Thanks for the clarification. I have edited the article accordingly. / Ezeu 21:53, 30 November 2005 (UTC)

unsourced?

Is this a joke? The article is a tiny little stub right now. It includes absolutely no obscure information; everything in it is common knowledge. I can gladly add references for the sake of "further reading" or suchlike; but it's impossible to cite sources for my latest rewrite since the source is me! Doops | talk 18:17, 1 December 2005 (UTC)

Opening ¶

Hi. Here's the opening ¶ under the preferred version of User: Skull 'n' Femurs:

A coat of arms - properly called a Heraldic Achievement, or less formally Armorial Bearings or just Arms - is also often wrongly called a crest of arms. In European tradition it is a set of colourful symbols with origins in the designs used by mediaeval knights to make their armor and shield stand out in battle or tournaments and enable quick recognition.

The main problem with this is that it takes a question of terminology and makes it the centerpiece of the article. The article isn't about terminology (or at least it shouldn't be); it's about COATS OF ARMS. Therefore the first sentence should, like practically every other article, define it. The first ¶ should lay out the situation as clearly and legibly as possible. We have to remember the reader first and foremost.

Additionally, I do not see the need to work "achievement" into the first sentence. The 2nd ¶ already makes quite clear what a heraldic achievement is and when that phrase is and is not synonomous with "arms" and "coats of arms." Insofar as this is an issue, the article cannot help involving itself in terminology; and it is important that we helpe the reader to navigate that minefield. But again, simplicity and clarity should be our watchword.

Finally, let me repeat what I said earlier up this page — in your obsession, Skulls n' Femurs, with "armorial bearings" and "heraldic achievements" you're trying to become more 'correct than the experts'. That has two problems: as a matter of style, it makes the wikipedia look forbidding and uptight; as a matter of substance, it might leave the reader with the misapprehension that "arms" and "coat of arms" are somehow wrong, which they aren't. Doops | talk 23:22, 6 December 2005 (UTC)

Oversweepingly broad statement

In some heraldic traditions (such as the Scottish) it is basically true that coats of Arms are individual possessions which can be passed down through more than one generation in the line of heirs (usually the eldest sons), but it is NOT true in other traditions (such as the English, where many cousins of the same surname can have identical coats of arms). The article page should reflect this. AnonMoos 20:22, 1 January 2006 (UTC)

No. both England and Scotland require differencing of arms for younger sons. Scotland's system is complicated and comprehensive, specifying several generations' worth of of changes involving borders, color changes, changes of lines to wavy/embattled/engrailed/etc. England's system is much simpler: there are specific charges which younger sons add to their arms; after a few generations the pile up of cadency marks (as they are called) becomes unbearable and the person applies for a fresh set of arms for his cadet branch (usually based on / related to his ancestral arms). But cousins should never have identical arms in either place. Doops | talk 21:25, 1 January 2006 (UTC)

Unfortunately, that happens not to be the case. The English system has a set of cadency marks (for the FIRST son as well as for other sons), which can be used to distinguish the arms of sons (as individuals) from those of their father (particularly when the father is still alive), if desired; and these cadency marks have been used on some occasions to differentiate between different branches of a family. But cadency marks are by no means obligatory, and patrilineal cousins quite frequently have the same set of arms. Furthermore, in the Polish system, minor nobility families with dozens of different surnames can all have exactly the same coat of arms. AnonMoos 17:19, 2 January 2006 (UTC)

quarterly

As I (mis)understand the history, the "coat of arms" is so called because it was painted or embroidered on a cloth tunic worn over metal armor to keep the sun off; this "coat" had the same design as the shield. The word coat is also used for the components of an impaled or quartered shield, and the article ought to mention this somewhere. —Tamfang 07:30, 16 February 2006 (UTC)

flexible standards

Someone seriously wrote that the "coats of arms" of France and Italy are more heraldic than that of the USA? —Tamfang 07:40, 16 February 2006 (UTC)

Do you suggest it is otherwise? Is there an American heraldic standard? Kittybrewster 22:27, 18 February 2006 (UTC)

I suggest that the US Great Seal has a blazonable shield with a supporter and the "coats of arms" of Italy and France resemble heraldry about as much as the jar of pens on my desk. —Tamfang 23:24, 18 February 2006 (UTC)

All three of them are about as heraldic as my pants, perhaps the Italian and Usonian more so than the French. —Nightstallion (?) 09:42, 20 February 2006 (UTC)

Um, exactly where was this statement supposed to have been made? I looked at the last version of the article before your edit, and could find no comparison made between the arms of the US and those of France or Italy. What I saw was a statement that France and Italy had arms, even though they are no longer monarchies. --EncycloPetey 04:53, 21 February 2006 (UTC)

It said the ex-monarchies "retain" coats of arms, which is false of Italy and France (though true, more or less, of Hungary and Croatia); and that the USA Seal is "not an armorial achievement". The comparison is created by the juxtaposition. —Tamfang 05:11, 21 February 2006 (UTC)

Since the two topics appeared in separate paragraphs, I expect that the statements were written at different times by different individuals, and were not intended to be juxtaposed. In any case, the new text dodges this problem. --EncycloPetey 09:34, 21 February 2006 (UTC)

External link removal?

The external link at the bottom links to a program for Win95. Surely that's very old and should be removed? →bjornthegreat ^t|_c 12:52, 21 April 2006 (UTC)

Helmets

Helmet#Sovereign - Kittybrewster 13:33, 17 November 2006 (UTC)

Umm...Kitty...you'll have to be a bit more clear on the purpose of this edit. The link that you've pointed to is very Britannocentric in its explanation of heraldic helmets, but I cannot determine why you put it here.--Eva ^bd 15:09, 17 November 2006 (UTC)

I'm not sure it's practical to list the format in each country but an example is not a bad thing. Perhaps it would be best to add 'for example in the UK the coronets were' Alci12 16:32, 17 November 2006 (UTC)

A query was raised by a French User as to the appropriate helm for a Baronet. I was surprised it was not covered by en.wiki - it is now. - Kittybrewster 20:39, 17 November 2006 (UTC)

Coats of Arms and Fair Use

If I want to include the coat of arms of a family in an article in wikipedia, do I need to get the permission of the family? Does fair use apply? Anyways, in the US is ownership of really old coats of arms even recognized? nadav 05:50, 16 March 2007 (UTC)

I would that that would fall in the guidelines of Fair Use if you are using the coat of arms to illustrate that family only.--Eva ^bd 14:26, 16 March 2007 (UTC)

A particular representation of a coat of arms may be under copyright; but if you re-draw the coat yourself, or use your own photograph of a public display, you're in the clear. —Tamfang 06:01, 3 April 2007 (UTC)

Good point.--Eva ^bd 13:54, 3 April 2007 (UTC)

Vandalism

For some reason, this page has been attracting a lot of IP vandalism. Maybe it's time for Wikipedia:Semiprotection. nadav 08:22, 26 April 2007 (UTC)

I listed it on Wikipedia:Requests for page protection, and it will be semiprotected for 5 days. nadav 12:16, 28 April 2007 (UTC)

When arms are in a circle, what is it?

Can anyone confirm what is the correct description of this i.e. used here for the Royal Greenwich Hospital, Thanks! Gustav von Humpelschmumpel 18:37, 27 May 2007 (UTC)

In rare cases a blazon will specify the precise shape of the shield; but usually that is left up to the heraldic artist's discretion. Most commonly, this flexibility allows for standard mediaeval-looking "heater" shields or more florid baroque forms (chosen according to context-appropriateness); but I see no reason why this circular depiction couldn't also be an extreme example of artistic license. On the other hand, it's also possible that this photo actually shows not an oddly-shaped escutcheon but rather a badge, which would be blazoned something like this: on a roundel argent, a crown or on a cross gules between four anchors of the second. Doops | talk 18:52, 27 May 2007 (UTC)

That's what I thought- thanks! It's just that the heraldic badge doesn't say anything specifically about "round" badges. Gustav von Humpelschmumpel 21:07, 27 May 2007 (UTC)

The heraldic badge article is right now a pretty pathetic stub. Suffice it to say that badges consisting of stuff on a roundel are relatively common. (Incidentally, in my blazon above I forgot that another name for a roundel arguent is a plate which could have saved me a little typing.) Doops | talk 21:11, 27 May 2007 (UTC)

Do you think we should redirect to Badge and add the heraldic info there as the two things are clearly connected? Gustav von Humpelschmumpel 21:49, 27 May 2007 (UTC)

No. There ought to be a link, and perhaps a section on the badge article explaining the historical connection, but heraldic badges are personal insignia, whereas modern badges are typically linked to an office or rank. There is enough of a difference that the articles should remain separate. --EncycloPetey 23:42, 27 May 2007 (UTC)

Subject to the small cavil that some offices do indeed have heraldic badges associated with them, Encyclopetey is absolutely right -- the heraldic badge article may be weak now but it definitely has the scope to be an important article someday. Doops | talk 00:59, 28 May 2007 (UTC)

Outside of the Society for Creative Anachronism I've only seen one representation of badges on roundels: it's figure 822 in The Art of Heraldry (p.334), "The Stafford Badges as exemplified in 1720 to William Stafford Howard, Earl of Stafford" – and none of those has an ordinary throughout. Usually badges have no field. I think what we have here is simply a shield bent into a circle for convenience. The Royal Arms are sometimes put on a round shield to fit neatly within the Garter. (But I'll read up on badges tomorrow.) —Tamfang 08:10, 28 May 2007 (UTC)

Assuming the website knows what it is talking about (which of course it might not), here are the badges of some English and Welsh counties and boroughs; about half of them involve some sort of roundel. (But of course you're right to say, as I said above, that the image could just show arms bent into a circle.) Doops | talk 17:19, 28 May 2007 (UTC)

And some of those do use some or most elements of the arms of those places in a roundel. Gustav von Humpelschmumpel 15:51, 29 May 2007 (UTC)

Yeah, but that's silly in my view, and contrary to the whole point of a badge. Doops | talk 16:04, 29 May 2007 (UTC)

Edit by History2007

History2007 is misrepresenting sources, and adding irrelevant information to this article.

• Item: History2007 says in this edit that "seals and coats of arms were designed to make a good impression and say something about their owners." and attributes this information to an article at the British Museum [8]. The article being cited does not even talk about coats of arms. First of all, the article is about medieval seals, and not about coats of arms. It does not even mention coats of arms. The article does say "Most seals say something about their owners." It does not say that they were "designed" to do this, but rather that modern workers can tell something about the owner from the seal. It clarifies this with the following sentences: "A king, for instance was represented in a very specific way, as was a queen, a bishop or a noble lord and lady." The word "impression" in the article refers to the pressing of a seal into wax, not about making an impression on the viewer. So the source has been thoroughly misrepresented in three ways. —This is part of a comment by EncycloPetey (of 22:37, 7 January 2008 (UTC)), which was interrupted by the following:

• Agree, and even if it was properly sourced, it doesn't deserve its own level 2 header, and it definately doesn't deserve to be the opening header. -- I. Pankonin (t/c) 03:42, 8 January 2008 (UTC)

• Item: The latter portion of the article reviews style by geographic region, including the UK, Japan, and regions of continantel Europe with differences in heraldic tradition and style. History2007 insists on adding an entire section devoted to the Vatican, half of the text of which is about one personal set of arms used by Pope John Paul II. These arms should be discussed on a more specific article, not in a general article about Coats of arms. The information added about "Vatican heraldry" is unreferenced, except for the single bit about the origin of Pope John Paul II's armory.—This is part of a comment by EncycloPetey (of 22:37, 7 January 2008 (UTC)), which was interrupted by the following:
  • That wasn't actually referenced either. The source discussed aspects of Pope John Paul II's life, but did not discuss the coat of arms, or support that the coat of arms intentionally reflected those aspects of his life. Further, it said "popes use personal coats of arms once they are elected", implying that they do not use them before they are elected. Gimmetrow 07:55, 8 January 2008 (UTC)

• Item: History2007 has added text saying that "According to respected historian Emily J. Hutchison, as early as 1405, John the Fearless began distributing emblems that corresponded directly to his ideology." That's great but it has nothing to do with coats of arms. This fact does not belong in this article, which is about coats of arms. It may be placed on an article about medieval tokens or emblems, but should not appear here.—This is part of a comment by EncycloPetey (of 22:37, 7 January 2008 (UTC)), which was interrupted by the following:

• I think this would be appropriate in heraldic badge. Agree that it's not appropriate here. -- I. Pankonin (t/c) 03:42, 8 January 2008 (UTC)

• Item: History2007 says: "Valentin Groebner argues that the images composed on coats of arms are in many cases designed to convey a feeling of power and strength, often in military terms." This is one person's opinion, and is at odds with the majority of heraldic scholarship. It also claims "in many cases" without explaining that it is actually a minority of cases that do this. Most arms, especially the oldest ones, are simple geometric designs. Many later ones are canting arms, which pun on the owner's name. Arms were not designed "to convey a feeling of power and strength" in the majority of cases. The idea was held by Victorian-age heralds, but has been repeatedly debunked by later authors.—This is part of a comment by EncycloPetey (of 22:37, 7 January 2008 (UTC)), which was interrupted by the following:

• I think this can stay. This is useful information, and it would be more useful if the views that you mentioned were also represented. -- I. Pankonin (t/c) 03:42, 8 January 2008 (UTC)

• Item: History2007 says that "Museums on medieval coat of arms also point out that as emblems they may be viewed as a pre-cursors to the corporate logos of modern society, used for group identity formation." and cites this source. The source, in fact, is not a museum but a travel guide. Worse, it does not say what History2007 claims it does. It does draw an analogy between the medieval arms and the corporate logo, saying that "They were an early version of what we might call today the "logo" or corporate identity". It does not say that they were a precurosr, and does not say that they were used for group identity information. It says they were used for personal identity, like a signature would be.

--EncycloPetey (talk) 22:37, 7 January 2008 (UTC)

• Agree with the comments about the source, but I think corporate coats of arms - which are not the same as logos - deserve a mention. The evolution of logos and coats of arms was completely separate, but since they're both symbolic, they have a lot in common. The information about Mitsubishi is relevant, even though it's about a logo, because of its history as a mon. -- I. Pankonin (t/c) 03:42, 8 January 2008 (UTC)

Reply

Good, now you are actually using some logic. So we can have a discussion. I do NOT agree with your logic, but this is a starting point for a debate.

The heart of the section I added was about the fact that "coats of arms are not just identification symbols, but intend to convey a message, often of respect, and at times intend to re-inforce an ideology". I can bring in 20 more references that support this fact. It is fact that coats of arms are communication tools as well as identification tools and since the 19th century they have ONLY been communication tools.

A good example was the reference I had from University of Warwick. Every English university has a coat of arms. It is not to identify them in battle, it is to "communicate an image". As for the Pope's coat of arms and its marian symbolism, it was ONLY to communicate a message and an ideology.

I think teh above fact is essential in understanding coats of arms today and deserves to be in the article. I can bring in many references, but you will, within minutes dismiss them, for you have clearly not read teh references I had. Therefore, before deleting the section again, please air your objection to the statements above first. Thanlk you. History2007 (talk) 00:17, 8 January 2008 (UTC)

You have replied, but you have not answered any of the objections I noted to your text. You have simply added back the unsupported and irrelevant information. Of the sources you cite that I have followed up on, none contains the cited information or supports your POV. You are still claiming content from the British Museum site that isn't there. Claiming that a reference contains information does not make it true, and certainly not when the cited source does not even address the subject. Adding 20 more citations of sources that don't actually say what you claim will not make any difference. You also did not read my comments above if you think I have "no objection" to the section on the Vatican. It is not I that hasn't read the references. I have read them and quoted them above, but you seem to have missed that fact. Please re-read my comments above and respond to them in the context of the sources you've "cited" instead of simply spouting personal beliefs. --EncycloPetey (talk) 01:30, 8 January 2008 (UTC)

P.S. by the way, I assume you are no longer objecting to the sections I wrote on Japan and the Vatican. I guess you may have even learned someting from me in the past 3 days and everytime you see a Mitsubishi logo you will know the crest it came from. So at least some progres is being made History2007 (talk) 00:21, 8 January 2008 (UTC)

Actually, no, I haven't learned anything from your information. I already knew about the Mitsubishi logo from the collection of books I have on Japanese mon. I already knew about John Paul II's arms and symbolism from reading other sources. You are simply coming across as egotistical in making the above assumptions, which do not seem to be substantiated by any evidence. --EncycloPetey (talk) 01:33, 8 January 2008 (UTC)

PPS Further thought: Perhaps there shoud just be a section on the "modern use of coats of arms" e.g. at univeristies, etc. and that can then include references to the fact that they are now used as communication tools, etc. That may in fact resolve the debate. You can even find those references yourself if you like, for there are plenty out there. Thanks History2007 (talk) 00:49, 8 January 2008 (UTC)

I am busy for the erst of today probably, but will reply in a day or so. In the meantime, the key question is this: Is there a need here for a section on the "modern use" of coats of arms. Let us settle that issue first. So do you think this article needs to be about medieval times, or is there a place for discussing "modern usage". I think modern usage deserves a section. What do you think of that question first? History2007 (talk) 01:36, 8 January 2008 (UTC)

There isn't enough information yet for a whole section on that subject. So it does not deserve a whole section unto itself yet. --EncycloPetey (talk) 01:45, 8 January 2008 (UTC)

Let me rephrase my question: assuming there is additional information (which I can easily obtain) will it be relevant? Relevance is a key issue you have brought about, so it needs to be addressed. Are coats of arms as defined here ONLY medieval, and is there need for a new article on "Modern coats of arms"? I seems that two articles would be too many for they need to link together, e.g the Mitsubishi case. Hence my guess is that given new information it will be relevant, sice your reply relied on the lack of info. History2007 (talk) 06:11, 8 January 2008 (UTC)

First: a clear definition

Item A

Item B

Item C

Item D

File:COA of Brunei.svg

Item E

File:COA of Argentina.svg

Item F

Item G

Item H

I thought a ittle bit more about the issues. It is best to start at the top leve. First, siince you questioned my motives, I asked myself: “Why do I bother to edit this little article on coats of arms anyway?”

Fact 1: Whether this article exits or not makes no difference to my life. I edited it because I was trying to understand coats of arms because it seemed like fun. I do not manufacture coats of arms and make no penny from them. I was just trying to understand them. The Pope's coat of arms made me think of them in the first place. I realized they are communication tools. I had not thought of them before. I was a line of thought that yet remains open.

Fact 2: Wikipedia does NOT help a user understand coats of arms. I still do not know what they are as defined by the article and how they are different from the terms seal and emblem used in the article. Other logically oriented users may have similar questions.

The real test:

Using the guidelines in the article, can a user easily guess which of these symbols on the right are classified by the article as a coat of arms, an emblem or a seal? If so, what is the reasoning therein?

By the way, one of them is listed as neither a coat of arms, nor a seal, nor an emblem but as another term. Can you guess which one without looking at the gallery? Until that issue of a "definition for coat of arms" is resolved the rest of the details have to wait.

My first problem with the current article: How is the term coat of arms (as used) distinguished from seal and emblem? There is an implied answer within the article that a coat of arms has a distinct geometric shape. Namely a seal has a round/circular shape while a coat of arms has a triangular shape like a shield. The article implies that there is a specific European tradition in heraldry that requires specific elements. It seems to me that coat of arms of Switzerland breaks these rules and must be excluded from the gallery. So what are these rules? When does an emblem become a coat of arms?

I can think of a mapping of metric spaces that preserves specific properties to a representative within a congruence class (by the way the congruence class article needs help too, for it misses geometric and algebraic cases!). The Swiss coat of arms seems to have the absolute minimal requirements here. But then all the other emblems and seals in the gallery must be deleted. For instance the emblem of France is clearly NOT a coat of arms. Or is it? And ehat about Indonesia? Will someone clarify this? And visually speaking how is the emblem of Turkey making its way into the gallery? It seems so similar to the Swiss coat of arms, yet it is called an emblem? So how are they different? Is it the pointed edge? The article is not specific or factual here. As for Ethiopia, Japan and the United States, well they are clearly not coats of arms and have no place in the gallery. Hence the gallery needs serious deletions if we are to be logical.

Yet it seems that in fact the three terms “coat of arms”, “seal” and “emblem” have been used as a congruence class within the article. Hence either:

1. The article title needs to change to something new.

2. Many items from the gallery must be deleted.

3. It must be admitted that the terms seal, coat of arms ad emblem are used as a congruence class.

In my mind the only solutions are:

A. A clear answer to the above dilemma a thinking user will have.

B. Many deletions from the gallery.

C. Approach 3, by declaring a congruence class.

The article is in clear need of further explanation and restructuring. Please express your thoughts before we go further. Thank you. History2007 (talk) 06:11, 8 January 2008 (UTC)

The base definition of a coat of arms is identifying marks on a shield or a coat for use in battle. Over the centuries, a strict formula has evolved in Europe for representing these on a shield with a helm, crest, and mantle, and anything that uses that formula can also be called a coat of arms, even though it may not have ever been used in battle. Strictly, the term coat of arms refers only to the shield. The full representation is referred to as an armorial achievement. The Japanese custom is included here, because it fits the base definition of a symbol for use of an individual in battle.

Often, national emblems are referred to as coats of arms because they're similar or serve a similar function. The French emblem is not a coat of arms. Quote from the Wikipedia article:

“ Technically speaking, it is an emblem rather than a coat of arms, since it does not respect heraldic rules—heraldry being seen as an aristocratic art, and therefore associated with the Ancien Régime. ”

If you're new to the subject, I recommend reading Boutell's Heraldry. The heraldry article is much better than this one if you just want a short review. -- I. Pankonin (t/c) 06:52, 8 January 2008 (UTC)

Socialist heraldry might also help. -- I. Pankonin (t/c) 06:56, 8 January 2008 (UTC)

Thank you for the link. But if I have to read an external link, that means that the Wikipedia article has failed to inform me. Why don't we "fix the wiki-article" rather than having to go and read soemthing outside. In the end, Wikipedia is intended ot be complete. Right? Now, in your view, what is the rationale for universities using them? Again, thanks for the link History2007 (talk) 07:22, 8 January 2008 (UTC)

Yes, it needs to be improved. This article is rated as start-class, which is the lowest rating an article can have if it's not a stub. I gave you that link so you could have more information for editing.

Universities have arms because heraldry is considered an aristocratic art, and universities were originally only attended by the priviledged class. It's more of a tradition than anything else. -- I. Pankonin (t/c) 23:42, 8 January 2008 (UTC)

Thank you for the clarification. I will try to read up on these items. They are interesting. So universities use them as "symbols that communicate status" and I guess in time aristocrats have also used them as "status symbols" rather than just "identification marks" - dare I say the Prada or Giorgio Armani marks of the 18th century? I wondered if anyone had looked into the symbolism used in the archetypal context of Man and His Symbols. I did a search, but found almost nothing. I will look more.... My guess is that there is some underlying mechanism for communicating a message there in, and as discussed before, at times an "ideology", e.g. the university of Glasgow's coat of arms with the open book of knowledge at the top [9] probably tries to emphasize the importance of reading, learning, etc. History2007 (talk) 05:50, 9 January 2008 (UTC)

Indonesia

The motto on the bottom of Indonesian coat of arms reads Bhinneka Tunggal Inka. It should reads Bhinneka Tunggal IKA (not inka). Wrong spelling. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 125.164.74.120 (talk) 03:38, 27 February 2008 (UTC)

The Popes

I'm not happy with this language:

The Vatican has its own coat of arms, as the Coat of arms of the Holy See. Yet there is an at least 800-year-old tradition for personal Papal coat of arms that goes back to Pope Innocent IV.

This implies that the Papacy is (armorially) special when it isn't. Around eight centuries ago, every person in a position of authority started using a coat of arms. When the office is not hereditary, the arms of the office (if any) and of its occupant are distinct. Let's find other wording. —Tamfang (talk) 02:59, 9 October 2008 (UTC)

You could be bold and try and find another way of wording it yourself, as you seem to know a bit about papal heraldry. --DWR^talk 20:30, 11 October 2008 (UTC)