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Just to clear some terminology:

- crest is the thing on top of the helmet on a heraldic achievement, coat of arms is the term you are meaning

- family coat of arms is a bit misleading term, as oftenmost the coat of arms is of an individual (in this case you, as wife often bears the arms of her husband; however you can also make arms for each of you and display them side by side on the same shield as marital arms I you like), passing from father to eldest son, and the other sons would inherit a bit different arms. However, in some countries (Germany, for example) all children would inherit the same undifferenced arms, so there a family coat of arms is more relevant for a term. Depens where you live and what heraldic traditions you follow, really.

And to anwer your question: the best option in this case IMHO is to make arms by yourself, for example with Inkscape, a free vector software (any decent vector or bitmap software is good, really). Internet has many places to find SVG files with shield shapes, ordinaries and various heraldic charges, for example Wikimedia commons and Wappenwiki. The key thing, however, is to check the copyright licencing, as some images/vector files are in public domain but most require some attribution and are for non-commercial use only (so wedding invitations ought to be okay).

This is usually recommended as a primer to newcomers

http://uhuhhhhh.blogspot.com/2012/10/simple-heraldy-cheerfully-illustrated.html?m=1

This one is far more advanced and goes into great detail about heraldry (with a focus on British heraldic jurisdictions, but also some continental references)

https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/41617?msg=welcome_stranger

I'd recommend Inkscape, it's a free vector-based program. It requires some getting used to it, but after that it's easy to manipulate object sizes and shapes without the loss of quality.

I know one precisely that, a book called Lines of succession : heraldry of the royal families of Europe

https://www.amazon.com/Lines-Succession-Heraldry-Families-Europe/dp/0760732876

Were you involved in the design process in any way?

Here are some design questions that may give you some ideas for charges to use in your crest and badge/s. Feel free to answer these privately for yourself. No need to share. https://hastebin.com/imulesumuq.cpp

Also, keep in mind that the tinctures and charges from your shield don't need to be repeated on a crest and badge.

I was updating my nation's aesthetics, so I started yesterday on updating the COA to reflect on the new flag design. You can see the old COA at my nation's Wiki, which was created with the help of a friend (because during that time I didn't know yet about heraldry), he gave me help on how to design the full achievement during that time.

[P.S. Can you help me blazon this? Thanks!]

Yes the book in question is "An illustrated collection of the coats of arms of maltese families" by Charles A. Gauci
https://www.amazon.com/Illustrated-Collection-Coats-Maltese-Families/dp/9990900698

With regard to supporters, although this sub almost always comments that they are reserved for royalty, etc., here are some references that allow for them in varying instances outside of exclusive royal usage. It seems to be worthy of discussion based on location & customs.

Here is a specific example of helmed swans : “On the seal of Jean, Duc de Berri, in 1393 the supporter is a helmed swan (compare the armorial slab of Henry of Lancaster, in Boutell, Plate LXXIX.).”

“Heraldic supporters as such, or badges occupying the position and answering the purpose of supporters, and not merely as artistic accessories, in England date from the early part of the fourteenth century. Very restricted in use at first, they later rapidly became popular, and there were few peers who did not display them upon their seals”

“The right to bear supporters in Scotland is on a widely different basis from that in any other country. As in England and Ireland, peers and Knights Grand Cross are permitted to obtain grants of these distinctions. But outside and beyond these there are many other families who bear them by right.”

“In Scotland, where, of course, until quite recently supporters were granted practically to anybody who chose to pay for them...”

“Supporters in Germany date from the same period as with ourselves, being to be met with on seals as far back as 1276. At first they were similarly purely artistic adjuncts, but they have retained much of this character and much of the purely permissive nature in Germany to the present day. It was not until about the middle of the seventeenth century that supporters were granted or became hereditary in that country.”

Source: https://www.gutenberg.org/files/41617/41617-h/41617-h.htm#page407

Ah, much better than mine. I was wondering, would it be possible to describe it as "per fess abased" ? Such as the example in this. Or is that not a term you're aware of?

It's the only example I've been able to find of this kind of design like the OP's, the original source is this site

Thanks! I use Inkscape for this sort of thing, and the charges I downloaded from here (and modified some).

Not necessarily one source. I've came across it in history works before, but can't remember exactly which ones. What I've seen is that the first recorded use of heraldry as we understand is related to the Bayeux Tapestry.

Here are some online references, definitely not definitive or thoroughly researched, however. I will have to look into it in more detail.

Discusses the two schools of thought on heraldry - Encyclopedia Britannica - The two schools of thought are that heraldry has always existed and people were using devices, etc. on their shields to denote individual families. Some hold that the old colors, symbols, etc were only connected to military units and did not become related to families until the 11th Century.

Here is a wikipedia link for the Origins of Heraldry, sorry it's wikipedia

Does it have to be a physical copy, or would a kindle version work? https://smile.amazon.co.uk/Complete-Guide-Heraldry-Illustrated-Designs-ebook/dp/B004XBLS1C/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1660091049&sr=8-1

If it needs to be a physical version they say they've got a couple of hardcover copies left, but I'm not 100% certain they're complete - they are however cheap enough I've taken the risk on one.

I see that the Complete Guide to Heraldry was already recommended, but there are also a couple of other books.

If you’re interested about learning the British tradition specifically, there’s a book called Simple Heraldry

And also the Illustrated Book of Heraldry which has a section in the latter half of the book that covers various different national traditions.

http://www.openculture.com/2019/03/killer-rabbits-in-medieval-manuscripts-why-so-many-drawings-in-the-margins-depict-bunnies-going-bad.html

Because I can and I want to, the US has no heraldic authority to dictate if I can or not.

A comment left by another user on anbolder post if mine

"With regard to supporters, although this sub almost always comments that they are reserved for royalty, etc., here are some references that allow for them in varying instances outside of exclusive royal usage. It seems to be worthy of discussion based on location & customs.

“Heraldic supporters as such, or badges occupying the position and answering the purpose of supporters, and not merely as artistic accessories, in England date from the early part of the fourteenth century. Very restricted in use at first, they later rapidly became popular, and there were few peers who did not display them upon their seals”

“The right to bear supporters in Scotland is on a widely different basis from that in any other country. As in England and Ireland, peers and Knights Grand Cross are permitted to obtain grants of these distinctions. But outside and beyond these there are many other families who bear them by right.”

“In Scotland, where, of course, until quite recently supporters were granted practically to anybody who chose to pay for them...”

“Supporters in Germany date from the same period as with ourselves, being to be met with on seals as far back as 1276. At first they were similarly purely artistic adjuncts, but they have retained much of this character and much of the purely permissive nature in Germany to the present day. It was not until about the middle of the seventeenth century that supporters were granted or became hereditary in that country.”

Source: https://www.gutenberg.org/files/41617/41617-h/41617-h.htm#page407

And in Canada, a person just has to pay a higher amount to have supporters"

I didn't "make" the eagle. I just took an SVG of an Austrian coat of arms from Wikimedia Commons and edited it using Boxy SVG Editor, an online app. The rest I created using internet assets and Paint 3D.

That would explain why I've never seen it. RES hides the new reddit button. It took me a good few months to even find out there is a new reddit.

Yet more reasons to use RES.

Right, I see what you're getting at - but usually that spot is taken up with a crest, not a repetition of the arms.

It's a bit long winded - and I hope you're feeling up to a bit of a read - but it's explained fairly thoroughly [here](https://www.gutenberg.org/files/41617/41617-h/41617-h.htm#page326) .

The quick version is that the crest can be almost anything, and whilst a plate with the arms on is a *possible* form, they tend not to be mere repetitions of the arms.

For example, the crest in the Royal Arms for Britain is a lion (in different positions depending on whether it's the English or Scottish centred arms). For a given armiger, it might be a lion, an eagle, an upright arm clutching a sword - and these may have no similarity or resemblance to the arms at all, possibly matching a badge used by the armiger in question, or again, maybe not.

EDIT: This may be a difference in practice between German-style and British-style heraldry though.

​

There’s a book called “The Illustrated Book of Heraldry” by Stephen Slater and in the back of the book he has a chapter that breaks down several national traditions and even has a section on Nazi Heraldry and it’s differentiation from German heraldry. I’m not an expert in that department nor do i have the book readily accessible at the moment but i certainly hope this helps you find the answers you’re looking for!

I think a lot of really great points have been touched on already.

I do really appreciate that you’ve taken the time to research and learn first, and I will also say it’s always a little difficult being a mutt, which i totally get, as I’m Japanese, Italian, Black, Middle Eastern, and English.

1) I spent at least a solid month YouTubing, reading through this book, and luring here on the subreddit and occasionally reaching out to a few of the individuals who seemed to pop up most and who seemed to know what they were talking about. After that, I decided that I wanted my arms to tell a story. Not represent a last name or my profession but the series of events that lead me to creating that blazon/emblazonment that represent myself. How did I get here? What was my journey? Why? (Obviously, others may have an entirely different way of doing that, but this was how I came about my arms)

2) I’ve only ever changed my arms twice. First when I learned the rules of heraldry better and got the advice of an actual heraldic artist, and secondly when I discovered (after about 6 long months of research) the Kamon (heraldic emblem) of the Japanese side of my heritage and added it to my crest.

3) Nope! Something entirely unique.

4) well, I went with British heraldry but that’s because it was the first type of heraldry that I was introduced to but ALSO because I enjoy the idea of having an individual achievement that represents JUST me, but I can also pass it down to my sons and have them change an element to better represent themselves as an individual. Sort of a philosophical idea of evolution over time for me. You could always try to make an arm that encompasses several cultures, As somebody already mentioned, here in the states it’s a little more loose in terms of what we can do, but I’d avoid making any egregious choices haha

According to Fox-Davies ‘A Complete Guide to Heraldry’ the shape and position does matter in changing who the coat of arms belong to and “is indicative of rank of the helm”. He states that “[helms of] Sovereign and the Royal princes of [England] shall be of gold, placed in an affronté position, and shall have grilles. The helmet of a peer shall be of silver, shall be placed in profile, and shall have golden grilles, frequently stated to be five in number, a detail not stringently adhered to. The helmet of a knight or baronet shall be of steel, placed full-faced, and shall be open... The helmet of an esquire or gentleman shall be of steel and in profile, with the visor closed.”

And that in German heraldry you find that the “newly ennobled” use closed visors and older families (of higher position) use the open or barred grille.

Although he does say that these rules are quite loose though.

What matters is if the crest would work if it were in 3d upon the helm (ie facing the right way).

Inkscape should do if you want to mock up using ready parts from Wikimedia Commons. And Inkscape is open source and free.

For all asking how the OP made this:

It's a program called Inkscape. You can download it for free at Inkscape.org. If it seems daunting, there is a built-in tutorial, as well as tons of YouTube videos to teach you the finer points. Inkscape used .svg files. You can get some .svg files from this group's Assets folder near the top of the r/heraldry page.

I don't know if Adobe Illustrator can open .svg files. But Inkscape is free and open source, link. It takes some time to get used to, but ones you get the hang of it it works wonderfully. There are a lot of tutorials online.

Do you want to design your own crown? Because it is often easier to alter an existing one, then to design one form scratch.

For the arms attributed to abstractions and allegoric impersonation of concept, it is indeed a shame you do not read french. There are several well known medieval works which show that and several modern studies on that matter.

For the heraldic authorities I wrote "in a modern sense". Medieval heralds were not exactly the heraldic administrative body we know today. The charter of 1484 principally deals with giving them the statute of corporation. It's only during the 16th century that they were granted a regular legal power of heraldic control, with the royal commissions for the visitations (Adrian AIles even says during the second half of 16th c.). In fact, the link between heralds and heraldry during the middle ages tends to be more and more discussed by historians. You should read this : https://www.academia.edu/25791000/The_emergence_of_the_word_Heraldry_in_the_seeventeenth_century_and_the_roots_of_a_misconception

I mean. This subreddit is for the discussion of heraldry, yes. And we can answer questions, yes. But we can’t give a full crash course on the entire subject and then arbitrarily “give” somebody a cost of arms. You need to learn how it works and make one for yourself.

Try watching this

Or try reading this

You gotta do some learning instead of expecting it for free.

There’s a great book called Simple Heraldry that touches on Scottish heraldry and explains certain things much better than I ever could. I highly encourage you give it a read. It’s very short yet wildly informative. And being new to the heraldry community, while it’s easy to say ‘eh I don’t care’ I would suggest following the general rules, as you don’t want to practice improperly, that could potentially cause issues down the line. But that’s just me haha.

In terms of design ideas, if you want symbology to represent military background, there are several things you could do.

Some people, just to speak on general military service, will have muskets or cannons as apart of their arms, others will have scrolls to represent the constitution. Some may include things to represent heir favorite military tools or locations where they served.

Depending on your branch you may also add some symbology that alludes to the Service. (ie. Navy/Boat or anchor, Marines/Eagle or sword, Army/Chevron or mullet, Air Force/Eagle in flight or lightning, etc)

I think that comes down to the flavor you’re going for. Keep in mind that the Shield and crest do not need to be the same. So if you’re going for more than one branch or if you want the shield to be specific to your history, and have the crest to represent general military service you can absolutely do that.

Thanks for the constructive feedback. I did not think mantling is used only with the helm, will change that up later.

I agree that the eagle is cliche but it just happened to be the symbol of my nation and it is used everywhere, so it also had to be placed here.

My country can be found here: https://www.nationstates.net/nation=arwindom .

Have a good day!

Context: Kievan Jakall is the capital city of the Tsardom of Jakall, one of the numerous federated states in the Ujangian Federation (more info about Ujangian Federation: https://www.nationstates.net/nation=ujang/detail=factbook/id=214660). The Tsardom of Jakall is hugely influenced (read: inspired) by East Slavic cultures, hence the Russian elements in the CoA. The tower represent the city itself, while the walls represent the 80 metre Jakallian Great Wall, built during the reign of the first Tsar, Iniedzakan I Freivanodursson. The four wings are the symbols of the Freivanodursson dynasty, which the populace soon identify themselves with. The Tsarist crown represents its status as the capital city of the whole Tsardom. The motto is in Jakallian language written in a modified Armenian script: "Datskillinn Tsiabidzin", the City of Love.

Unrelated, given your background you might have some interest in Israeli professor Ben-Ami Shillony’s writings, who has a very interesting book on the relation of these two communities.

Symbolism: the background represents my origin. The top half symbolizes my Circassian origin (paternal) with its 12 golden Stars on green. The bottom half symbolizes my Uzbekian origin (maternal) with its crescent and 12 white stars.

In the middle there are a pencil symbolizing my hobby for writing, a brush symbolizing my job as designer and a stethoscope symbolizing me being a med student and in future hopefully a physician

If anyone is interessted on what book this is: It is a Vexillology, Heraldry and Cartography Sketchbook from Amazon

For details like crests I don't know there's anything talks about the entire tradition. It gets extremely complicated. For example, the rules u/Mustarotta gave for crests in Finland were almost certainly implemented in the Swedish period, which means they were probably identical to the rules adopted in Sweden, but probably weren't used in the rest of the German-influenced countries. If they were implemented under the Tzar they would be similar to Russia's rules. It's also possible the Tzars took the Swedish rules and adapted them to the Russian system to add Princes.

In general learning about non-English traditions is somewhat challenging unless you know the relevant language.

What I did was learn about my own tradition (British, so most of the material is English), and then hang out in places like this. I take note when the Germans do something kinda like the Scots. This was my first Scottish heraldry book, and I also got a small book/large pamphlet-type thing that went into English rules. I got both on a trip to the UK in 1998ish, so it would have been available for sale at castles and such places. It's probably on this list.