Coat of Arms

A coat of arms is the symbol or badge of a family, person or even organization. The idea started in Europe in the middle Ages, when knights began to add decoration to their armor. This helped soldiers tell the difference between their own army and the enemy on a battlefield. It also helped people to tell knights apart in jousting contests. The designs on a cot of arms symbolized the achievements of the family, and were passed on from generation to generation. A coat of arms is still put together by people called heralds, and the process is known as heraldry.
Parts of a coat of arms
Each coat of arms has a unique combination of colors and symbols. The positions of the different features are described in special terms, such as sinister (left) and Dexter (right).The geometric designs in a coat of arms are called ordinaries.