Whenever we roam around European countries such as Poland, we almost always see family crests engraved on the front gates and statues; we even see the
Poland flag, side by side with a
crest flag raised outside houses and commercial buildings in the city. And one cannot help but wonder why does it seem that these crests are very important. Probably it has played a big part of their history as a country; or it might have influenced what they have become today.
Crests, also known as coat of arms and armorial bearings, has been a worldwide tradition dating back in the 12th century. In Europe, it was used as a symbol belonging to a particular person or group of people; and was usually used in various ways such as a seal to a legal document wherein authorities only has to look over the seal and recognize the owner. But what makes it different from a seal and emblem, you may ask? Well it has a formal description that is expressed as a blazon.
Although most of us think that crests are the property of the whole family and all members can make use of it, this was not the case during the earlier years of England and Scotland, only one person in the family can make use of crests. It is considered a legal property handed over from father to son; and descendants of the original bearer who so willingly would like to bear the crest, must modify the appearance by changing the color or adding a new feature.
by:
The Flagman
