In
heraldry, supporters, sometimes referred to as ''attendants'', are figures or objects usually placed on either side of the
shield and depicted holding it up.
Early forms of supporters are found in medieval seals. However, unlike the
coronet or
helmet and
crest, supporters were not part of early medieval heraldry. As part of the heraldic
achievement, they first become fashionable towards the end of the 15th century, but even in the 17th century were not necessarily part of the full heraldic achievement (being absent, for example, in ''
Siebmachers Wappenbuch
''Siebmachers Wappenbuch'' () is a roll of arms first published in 1605 as two heraldic multivolume book series of armorial bearings or coats of arms of the nobility of the Holy Roman Empire, as well as coats of arms of city-states and some ...
'' of 1605).
The figures used as supporters may be based on real or imaginary animals, human figures, and in rare cases plants or other inanimate objects, such as the
pillars of Hercules of the
coat of arms of Spain. Often, as in other elements of heraldry, these can have local significance, such as the
fisherman
A fisher or fisherman is someone who captures fish and other animals from a body of water, or gathers shellfish.
Worldwide, there are about 38 million commercial and subsistence fishers and fish farmers. Fishers may be professional or rec ...
and the
tin mine
Tin mining began early in the Bronze Age, as bronze is a copper-tin alloy. Tin is a relatively rare element in the Earth's crust, with approximately 2 ppm (parts per million), compared to iron with 50,000 ppm.
History
Tin extraction and use can ...
r granted to
Cornwall County Council, or a historical link; such as the lion of
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Wales to its west and Scotland to its north. The Irish Sea lies northwest and the Celtic Sea to the southwest. It is separated from continental Europe ...
and unicorn of
Scotland
Scotland (, ) is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Covering the northern third of the island of Great Britain, mainland Scotland has a border with England to the southeast and is otherwise surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean to ...
in the two variations of the
Coat of Arms of the United Kingdom. The arms of nutritionist
John Boyd-Orr use two 'garbs' (
wheat
Wheat is a grass widely cultivated for its seed, a cereal grain that is a worldwide staple food. The many species of wheat together make up the genus ''Triticum'' ; the most widely grown is common wheat (''T. aestivum''). The archaeologi ...
sheaves) as supporters; the arms of ,
missile
In military terminology, a missile is a guided airborne ranged weapon capable of self-propelled flight usually by a jet engine or rocket motor. Missiles are thus also called guided missiles or guided rockets (when a previously unguided rocket ...
s; the arms of the state of
Rio Grande do Norte
Rio Grande do Norte (, , ) is one of the states of Brazil. It is located in the northeastern region of the country, forming the northeasternmost tip of the South American continent. The name literally translates as "Great Northern River", re ...
in
Brazil
Brazil ( pt, Brasil; ), officially the Federative Republic of Brazil (Portuguese: ), is the largest country in both South America and Latin America. At and with over 217 million people, Brazil is the world's fifth-largest country by area ...
,
trees.
Letters of the
alphabet
An alphabet is a standardized set of basic written graphemes (called letters) that represent the phonemes of certain spoken languages. Not all writing systems represent language in this way; in a syllabary, each character represents a syllab ...
are used as supporters in the arms of
Valencia, Spain. Human supporters can also be
allegorical figures, or, more rarely, specifically named individuals.
There is usually one supporter on each side of the shield, though there are some examples of single supporters placed behind the shield, such as the
imperial eagle of the
coat of arms of the Holy Roman Empire
Over its long history, the Holy Roman Empire used many different heraldic forms, representing its numerous internal divisions.
Imperial coat of arms
Coats of arms of Holy Roman Emperors
The ''Reichsadler'' (" Imperial Eagle") was the he ...
. The
coat of arms of the Republic of the Congo
The coat of arms of the Republic of the Congo has a shield with a rampant red lion holding a torch. The background color of the shield is gold with a green, wavy, horizontal stripe along the middle. A golden crown sits above the shield. Two larg ...
provide an extremely unusual example of two supporters issuing from behind the shield. While such single supporters are generally eagles with one or two heads, there are other examples, including the
cathedra in the case of some Canadian
cathedral
A cathedral is a church that contains the ''cathedra'' () of a bishop, thus serving as the central church of a diocese, conference, or episcopate. Churches with the function of "cathedral" are usually specific to those Christian denominations ...
s. At the other extreme and even rarer, the Scottish chief
Dundas of that Ilk had three supporters: two conventional red lions and the whole supported by a salamander. The
coat of arms of Iceland even has four supporters.
The context of the application of supporters may vary, although entitlement may be considered conditioned by grant of a type of
augmentation of honour by admission in
orders of chivalry or by
heraldic authorities, such as in the case of traditional
British heraldry
Heraldry is a discipline relating to the design, display and study of armorial bearings (known as armory), as well as related disciplines, such as vexillology, together with the study of ceremony, rank and pedigree. Armory, the best-known branch ...
.
Attitude
Animal supporters are, by default, as close to
rampant
In heraldry, the term attitude describes the ''position'' in which a figure (animal or human) is emblazoned as a charge, a supporter, or as a crest. The attitude of an heraldic figure always precedes any reference to the tincture of the figure ...
as possible, if the nature of the supporter allows it (this does not need to be mentioned in the
blazon
In heraldry and heraldic vexillology, a blazon is a formal description of a coat of arms, flag or similar emblem, from which the reader can reconstruct the appropriate image. The verb ''to blazon'' means to create such a description. The ...
), though there are some blazoned exceptions. An example of whales 'non-rampant' is the arms of the Dutch municipality of
Zaanstad.
Regional development and entitlement
Older writers trace origins of supporters to their usages in tournaments, where the shields of the combatants were exposed for inspection, and guarded by their servants or pages disguised in fanciful attire. However, medieval Scottish seals afford numerous examples in which the 13th and 14th century shields were placed between two creatures resembling lizards or dragons. Also, the seal of
John, Duke of Normandy, eldest son of the
King of France, before 1316 bears his arms as; France ancient, a bordure ''gules'', between two lions rampant away from the shield, and an eagle with expanded wings standing above it.
Australia
In
Australia
Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a sovereign country comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands. With an area of , Australia is the largest country by ...
, Knights or Dames of the
Order of Australia
The Order of Australia is an honour that recognises Australian citizens and other persons for outstanding achievement and service. It was established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, on the advice of the Australian Go ...
may be granted supporters. It is unclear whether supporters may only be used on arms granted by
Garter Principal King of Arms, or whether other heraldic authority suffices. Further, as arms may be legitimately adopted upon an armiger's whim, there may be nothing limiting the adoption of supporters by any person, should they so choose.
Canada
In
Canada
Canada is a country in North America. Its ten provinces and three territories extend from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean and northward into the Arctic Ocean, covering over , making it the world's second-largest country by to ...
, Companions of the
Order of Canada
The Order of Canada (french: Ordre du Canada; abbreviated as OC) is a Canadian state order and the second-highest honour for merit in the system of orders, decorations, and medals of Canada, after the Order of Merit.
To coincide with the cen ...
,
Commanders of the
Order of Military Merit, Commanders of the
Royal Victorian Order
The Royal Victorian Order (french: Ordre royal de Victoria) is a dynastic order of knighthood established in 1896 by Queen Victoria. It recognises distinguished personal service to the British monarch, Canadian monarch, Australian monarch, o ...
, people granted the style
the Right Honourable
''The Right Honourable'' ( abbreviation: ''Rt Hon.'' or variations) is an honorific style traditionally applied to certain persons and collective bodies in the United Kingdom, the former British Empire and the Commonwealth of Nations. The ter ...
, and corporations are granted the use of supporters on their coats of arms.
Further, on his retirement from office as
Chief Herald,
Robert Watt was granted supporters as an honour.
France
In
France
France (), officially the French Republic ( ), is a country primarily located in Western Europe. It also comprises of Overseas France, overseas regions and territories in the Americas and the Atlantic Ocean, Atlantic, Pacific Ocean, Pac ...
, writers made a distinctive difference on the subject of supporters, giving the name of ''Supports'' to animals, real or imaginary, thus employed; while human figures or angels similarly used are called ''Tenants'' (i.e. 'holders'). Trees and other inanimate objects which are sometimes used are called ''Soutiens''.
New Zealand
Knights Grand Companion and Principal Companions of the
New Zealand Order of Merit
The New Zealand Order of Merit is an order of merit in the New Zealand royal honours system. It was established by royal warrant on 30 May 1996 by Elizabeth II, Queen of New Zealand, "for those persons who in any field of endeavour, have r ...
are granted the use of heraldic supporters.
United Kingdom
Originally, in England, supporters were regarded as little more than mere decorative and artistic appendages.
In the
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Europe, off the north-western coast of the continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotland, Wales and ...
, supporters are typically an example of special royal favour, granted at the behest of the sovereign.
Hereditary supporters are normally limited to
hereditary peers, certain members of the
Royal Family, and to some chiefs of
Scottish clans. Non-hereditary supporters are granted to
life peers, Knights and Ladies of the
Order of the Garter and
Order of the Thistle, Knights and Dames Grand Cross of the
Order of the Bath
The Most Honourable Order of the Bath is a British order of chivalry founded by George I on 18 May 1725. The name derives from the elaborate medieval ceremony for appointing a knight, which involved bathing (as a symbol of purification) a ...
,
Order of St Michael and St George,
Royal Victorian Order
The Royal Victorian Order (french: Ordre royal de Victoria) is a dynastic order of knighthood established in 1896 by Queen Victoria. It recognises distinguished personal service to the British monarch, Canadian monarch, Australian monarch, o ...
and
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is a British order of chivalry, rewarding contributions to the arts and sciences, work with charitable and welfare organisations,
and public service outside the civil service. It was established ...
, and Bailiffs and Dames Grand Cross of the
Order of St John.
Knights banneret were also granted non-hereditary supporters, but no such knight has been created since the time of
Charles I Charles I may refer to:
Kings and emperors
* Charlemagne (742–814), numbered Charles I in the lists of Holy Roman Emperors and French kings
* Charles I of Anjou (1226–1285), also king of Albania, Jerusalem, Naples and Sicily
* Charles I of ...
.
Supporters may also be granted to corporations which have a
royal charter
A royal charter is a formal grant issued by a monarch under royal prerogative as letters patent. Historically, they have been used to promulgate public laws, the most famous example being the English Magna Carta (great charter) of 1215, b ...
.
Examples
File:Brasão do Rio Grande do Norte.svg, Two trees in the coat of arms of Rio Grande do Norte
Rio Grande do Norte (, , ) is one of the states of Brazil. It is located in the northeastern region of the country, forming the northeasternmost tip of the South American continent. The name literally translates as "Great Northern River", re ...
.
File:Escut de València.svg, The two Ls in the coat of arms of Valencia (city) mark it as 'doubly loyal'.
File:Kraków - Kościół św. Barbary - Wspornik.JPG, An angel is the single supporter of this Kraków
Kraków (), or Cracow, is the second-largest and one of the oldest cities in Poland. Situated on the Vistula, Vistula River in Lesser Poland Voivodeship, the city dates back to the seventh century. Kraków was the official capital of Poland un ...
sculpture of the arms of Poland.
File:Zaanstad.svg, 'Falling' whales support the arms of Zaanstad
File:Greater coat of arms of Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (1982–1999).svg, Flags are the supporters in the arms of Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe
File:Nałęcz Kaziemierza Raczyńskiego.JPG, Flags and cannons are the supporters in the arms of Kazimierz Raczyński
File:Escudo de España (mazonado).svg, The coat of arms of Spain is supported by columns representing the Pillars of Hercules.
File:Coat of arms of Austria.svg, The coat of arms of Austria
The current coat of arms of the Republic of Austria has been in use in its first forms by the First Republic of Austria since 1919. Between 1934 and the German annexation in 1938, the ''Federal State (Bundesstaat Österreich)'' used a different ...
has one supporter, an eagle, which bears the escutcheon on its breast. This arrangement is common where eagles and other birds are used as supporters, as in the Great Seal of the United States and the coat of arms of Russia.
File:State Arms of New York.svg, The allegorical figures Liberty and blindfolded Justice support a shield on the flag of the State of New York
The coat of arms of the state of New York was formally adopted in 1778, and appears as a component of the state's flag and seal.
The shield displays a masted ship and a sloop on the Hudson River (symbols of inland and foreign commerce), bord ...
File:COA Novi Beograd (big).jpeg, The coat of arms of the Municipality
A municipality is usually a single administrative division having corporate status and powers of self-government or jurisdiction as granted by national and regional laws to which it is subordinate.
The term ''municipality'' may also mean the ...
of New Belgrade is supported by two swallows.
File:Ferm arms.png, Badgers on the arms of County Fermanagh
County Fermanagh ( ; ) is one of the thirty-two counties of Ireland, one of the nine counties of Ulster and one of the six counties of Northern Ireland.
The county covers an area of 1,691 km2 (653 sq mi) and has a population of 61,805 ...
, Northern Ireland.
File:Coat of arms of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands.svg, The arms of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands
)
, anthem = " God Save the King"
, song_type =
, song =
, image_map = South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands in United Kingdom.svg
, map_caption = Location of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands in the southern Atlantic Oc ...
feature a fur seal and macaroni penguin as supporters.
File:Royal Coat of Arms of the United Kingdom.svg, Royal arms of the United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Europe, off the north-western coast of the continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotland, Wales and ...
(as used in England, Northern Ireland and Wales) has lion supporter (for England) in the dexter and unicorn supporter (for Scotland) in the sinister.
File:Coat of arms of Malaysia.svg, Coat of Arms of Malaysia which has two tigers as the supporters.
File:Coat of Arms of Margaret Thatcher, The Baroness Thatcher (1995–2013).svg, Arms of Margaret Thatcher
Margaret Hilda Thatcher, Baroness Thatcher (; 13 October 19258 April 2013) was Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1979 to 1990 and Leader of the Conservative Party from 1975 to 1990. She was the first female British prime ...
, with Isaac Newton
Sir Isaac Newton (25 December 1642 – 20 March 1726/27) was an English mathematician, physicist, astronomer, alchemist, Theology, theologian, and author (described in his time as a "natural philosophy, natural philosopher"), widely ...
and a Royal Navy
The Royal Navy (RN) is the United Kingdom's naval warfare force. Although warships were used by English and Scottish kings from the early medieval period, the first major maritime engagements were fought in the Hundred Years' War against Fr ...
Admiral as supporters.
File:Coat of arms of Iceland.svg, The coat of arms of Iceland is the only Nation to feature 4 supporters. Each supporter represents a protector and intercardinal direction. The bull is the protector of northwestern Iceland. The eagle or griffin is the protector of northeastern Iceland. The dragon is the protector of southeastern Iceland. The rock-giant is the protector of southwestern Iceland.
See also
*
Confronted animals
Confronted animals, or confronted-animal as an adjective, where two animals face each other in a symmetrical pose, is an ancient bilateral motif in art and artifacts studied in archaeology and art history. The "anti-confronted animals" is the o ...
References
{{Authority control
External devices in achievements