Canting arms
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Canting arms is a technique used in European heraldry whereby the name of the individual or community represented in a coat of arms is "translated" into a visual pun.
The term probably originally came from the same root as the term 'cant' (originally to sing) in the meaning of slang or argot. Other languages call it speaking arms, e.g. in Dutch sprekend wapen.
An example of canting arms are those of the late Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, who was born Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon. Her arms, shown to the right, contain in sinister (i.e. on the wearer's left, viewer's right) the bows and blue lions that make up the arms of the Bowes and Lyon families.
[edit] Rebus coat-of-arms
When the visual representation is not straightforward but as complex as a rebus, this is sometimes called a rebus coat of arms.
[edit] Examples of canting arms
Canting arms – some in the form of rebuses – are quite common in German civic heraldry. They have also been increasingly used in the 20th century among the British royal family.
Wappen Eberbach Baden.png
Eberbach's arms: Eber = boar; Bach = brook (wavy blue fess) |
Wappen Waldbrunn MOS.png
Waldbrunn's arms: Wald = forest; Brunn = fountain |
Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon Arms.svg
Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon's arms: Bowes = bows; Lyon = blue lions |
|
Beatrice of York Arms.svg
Princess Beatrice of York's arms: Beatrice = three bees |
[edit] Sources and references
(incomplete)
The Heraldry Series |
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| Blazon • Cadency • Canting arms • Coat of arms • Officers of Arms Badge • Crest • Compartment • Mantling • Mon • Quartering • Shield • Supporters • Heraldic flags |
da:Talende våben de:Redendes Wappen eo:Laŭnomaj blazonoj fr:Armes parlantes it:Arma parlante nl:Sprekend wapen pl:Herb mówiący fi:Puhuva vaakuna sv:Talande vapen
