Carved Coat of Arms: What Each Part Means

A carved coat of arms turns the parts of a heraldic design — the shield, helmet, torse, mantling, and motto — into a relief in wood. Two coats of arms by wood sculptor Oleg Peresvet show what each part means and how it looks when it is carved: one with a griffin, made as a commission for a client, and one with three fish and a pair of tall wings.

The parts of a carved coat of arms

A full coat of arms has several parts, and each one has its own name in heraldry. Both of the examples below include these main parts, although only the griffin design has a motto:

• The shield. It carries the main figures of the arms, such as animals, objects, or buildings.
• The helmet. It sits above the shield.
• The torse. A twisted wreath of cloth on top of the helmet, traditionally in the two main colors of the arms.
• The mantling. The flowing, leaf-like shapes around the helmet and the shield. They come from the cloth that knights wore over their helmets against heat and blows, and in heraldic art they are often shown cut and torn.
• The motto. A short line of text, often in Latin, on a scroll. Not every coat of arms has one.

For a general overview of how coats of arms developed in Europe, see the Britannica entry on heraldry. The two designs below show these parts in wood.

A short history of coats of arms

European nobles began to use heraldic designs widely in the 12th century. The term itself goes back to the surcoat, the decorated garment worn over armor, above all at tournaments. Before 1200, arms were already passed from parent to child; in England, this was the case during the reign of Richard I and the Third Crusade (1189–1192).

In England and Scotland, arms belonged to one person, not to a family, and other descendants could use them only with a small change, such as a different color or an added charge. The crest, a figure fixed on top of the helmet, was added later, in the 14th century. A coat of arms does not need a crest, while a crest is rarely shown on its own.

In this strict heraldic sense, only one of the two designs has a crest: the pair of tall wings above the helmet of the fish design. On the griffin design, the helmet carries the torse but no figure above it. Below, “crest” is also used in the everyday sense of a family coat of arms, and the Britannica entry on coats of arms explains the terms in more detail.

The griffin coat of arms: a commission for a client

The first coat of arms was carved as a bespoke project for a client. At the center of the shield stands a winged griffin, rising on its hind legs, together with a key.

In heraldry, a griffin has the body of a lion and the head, breast, and front legs of an eagle. It stands for strength and is seen as a guardian. When it rises on its hind legs, it is called “segreant,” the griffin’s version of the lion’s “rampant.” In British heraldry, a griffin is never shown with closed wings, and on this carving both wings are raised.

Below the griffin is a castle with three towers, set between two oak branches with acorns. Above the shield sits a closed helmet marked with a cross, with a twisted torse on top. The mantling on both sides is carved as open, pierced leaves, so the wall behind shows through it.

Across the bottom runs the motto “Fortes Fortuna Adjuvat,” also spelled “Adiuvat.” It means “fortune helps the brave” and appears in Phormio, a comedy by the Roman playwright Terence. The Roman poet Virgil used a close version, “audentis Fortuna iuvat,” in the Aeneid. Pliny the Younger wrote that his uncle, Pliny the Elder, said “Fortes fortuna iuvat” in AD 79, when he took his fleet toward the erupting Mount Vesuvius.

The coat of arms with three fish

The second coat of arms is a custom design. Its shield shows a winged creature with a long, coiled, fish-like tail. Below it are three fish, two side by side and one beneath them, all shown swimming horizontally. In heraldry, fish in this position are called “naiant.”

Above the shield is a closed helmet with a cross and a twisted torse. On top of the helmet rise two tall wings, and the whole design is clearly taller than it is wide.

The mantling around the shield is carved as deep leaves. In painted heraldry, one side of the mantling is usually shown in a color and the other in a metal. This coat of arms has no motto.

An existing coat of arms or a new design

If a family already has a coat of arms, as a drawing or a digital file, Oleg Peresvet can recreate it in wood. He describes the aim of such a recreation as “museum quality” precision. For families without one, he can design a new coat of arms together with the client.

A bespoke commission can begin with a family crest, a drawing, or just a description. The design is worked out in sketches and 3D renders first, and progress photos are sent during the carving, which normally takes one to two weeks. Shipping time varies by destination, and installation at the client’s location can be arranged.

“The wood is never just material. It is part of the design.”

Wood and finish

For a bespoke piece, the client can choose walnut, oak, iroko, or another wood. Oleg Peresvet’s pieces are sealed with a non-toxic antique wood wax. In his own words, his style “channels an old-world, antique feel.”

A carved coat of arms needs no special care. It only needs to be dusted with a clean, dry cloth from time to time and kept away from water. More of his work, from Norse wall panels to sword stands, can be found under carved wall art.

FAQ

Can an existing family crest be carved in wood?

Yes. Oleg Peresvet can recreate an existing family crest in wood from a drawing or a digital file.

Can a new coat of arms be designed for my family?

Yes. A new coat of arms can be designed together with the client, and sketches and 3D renders fix the design before the carving starts.

Which wood is used for a wooden coat of arms?

The client can choose walnut, oak, iroko, or another wood. Oleg Peresvet’s pieces are sealed with a non-toxic antique wood wax.

What does “Fortes Fortuna Adiuvat” mean?

It is Latin for “fortune helps the brave.” The line appears in Phormio, a comedy by the Roman playwright Terence.

How do I care for a wooden coat of arms?

No special care is needed. Dust it with a clean, dry cloth when needed and avoid contact with water.

If your family has a coat of arms, or you would like one designed, get in touch with Oleg Peresvet about a carved coat of arms of your own.