ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Ordinary (heraldry)

Imagine if you’re playing a game where you have a shield, and it’s your job to create a picture on it that represents who you are. That’s what heraldry is like. It’s a set of rules and symbols used to design a coat of arms, which is like a symbol that represents a family, a person, or a country.

For example, think about a knight riding into battle. He wants to make sure his enemies know who he is and what he stands for. So, he would design a coat of arms that has symbols representing his family, his accomplishments, and his values.

To create a coat of arms, you need to follow certain rules. For instance, you can only use certain colors and symbols. These colors and symbols have specific meanings. For example, red means bravery, blue means loyalty, and gold means generosity.

To design a coat of arms, you’d start by dividing it into different parts. Each part is called a “field”. Then, you choose a symbol or picture for each field. For example, you might choose a lion for one field, a sword for another, and a castle for a third.

Now, you need to think about the colors of each field and symbols. You can’t just pick any colors, you have to stick to the rules. For example, if you want a red lion on a white background, you would use those specific colors. You can’t pick pink or green or any other colors.

Finally, you’d put it all together to create a beautiful picture that represents who you are. And if you’re extra fancy, you might even add a motto or a fancy border.

Overall, heraldry is all about creating a symbol that represents who you are, and using specific rules and symbols to make it beautiful and meaningful.