Citing Coats Of Arms: Image Attribution Guide

Coats of arms are a distinctive part of a person, family, corporation, or country's identity. They are a visual design on a shield, surcoat, or tabard, and are often called a family crest. Coats of arms are not granted to families but to individuals and can be inherited by descendants. They are passed down from father to son, with wives and daughters bearing modified versions. The term coat of arms comes from the surcoat, a cloth tunic worn over armour, which bore the same design as the shield. When citing a picture of a coat of arms, it is important to refer to the correct terminology and provide a formal description, known as a blazon, to ensure consistency in heraldic depictions.

Citing a picture of a coat of arms in a school paper

Identify the Elements of the Coat of Arms:

Determine the components of the coat of arms, such as the shield, crest, helmet, wreath, mantle, motto, supporters, and compartment. Understanding these elements will help you describe the image accurately in your citation.

Provide Basic Information:

Start by stating the essential details about the coat of arms. Include the name or title of the coat of arms, the format (e.g., photograph, painting, digital image), and the date it was created (if known). For example: "Coat of Arms of [Name of Family or Individual]."

Describe the Image:

Provide a concise description of the coat of arms, including the colours, symbols, and any unique features. This description should be detailed enough to differentiate it from other coat of arms. For instance: "The coat of arms consists of a red shield with a golden lion, surrounded by a blue mantle adorned with golden fleur-de-lis."

Location and Access Information:

Indicate where the original source or image of the coat of arms can be found. This could be the name of a book, website, museum, or archive where someone could locate the coat of arms. For example: "Image accessed from the British Library, London, UK."

MLA (Modern Language Association) Citation:

• 7th Edition:
• Format: Creator’s Last name, First name (if available). "Title of Source." Title of Container, Other contributors, Version, Numbers, Publisher, Publication date, Location.
• Example: "Last name, First name. Title of Coat of Arms. Format. Publisher, Date, URL or Location."

APA (American Psychological Association) Citation:

• 7th Edition:
• Format: Creator’s Last name, First name or initials. (Year of publication). Title of image [Format/Description]. Source or Publisher. URL or DOI (if accessed online)
• Example: "Last name, First initial. (Year). Title of Coat of Arms [Format]. Publisher or Source. URL or DOI."

Chicago Manual of Style Citation:

• 17th Edition:
• Format: Creator Last name, First name, Title of Image, Date of creation (if known), Institution or collection housing the original work, Location of institution.
• Example: "Last name, First name. Title of Coat of Arms, Date (if known), Institution or Collection, Location."

In-Text Citations:

When referring to the coat of arms in the text of your paper, provide a brief parenthetical citation, typically including the last name of the creator or author and the date. For example: "(Last name, Year)."

Image Credits or Captions:

If you include the coat of arms image in your paper, provide a credit line or caption below the image, indicating the creator, date, and source. For example: "Title of Coat of Arms, Date (Creator, Date, page number)."

Plagiarism and Intellectual Property:

Remember that coats of arms are considered intellectual property, and you should always acknowledge the source and creator when using them in your work. Ensure that you properly cite and reference the coat of arms image to avoid any issues of plagiarism.

By following these guidelines and choosing the appropriate citation style, you can effectively cite a picture of a coat of arms in your school paper.

Citing a picture of a coat of arms in a published book

Understanding the Components of a Coat of Arms:

Before citing a coat of arms, it is crucial to understand its components. A coat of arms typically includes a shield, supporters, a crest, and a motto. The shield is the central element, often referred to as the escutcheon. The supporters are figures or creatures that hold or support the shield. The crest is placed above the helmet and can be a symbol, figure, or animal. The motto is a phrase or statement that accompanies the coat of arms.

Identifying the Elements of the Coat of Arms:

When citing a picture of a coat of arms, start by identifying and describing its elements. Describe the overall design, colours, symbols, and any unique features. Note the presence of any supporters, crests, or mottos and provide details about them.

Determining the Owner or Armiger:

Identify the owner or armiger of the coat of arms. Traditionally, coats of arms are associated with individuals, families, states, organizations, schools, or corporations. Provide the name and relevant information about the armiger in your citation.

Following a Consistent Citation Style:

Choose a widely recognised citation style such as MLA, APA, or Chicago. These styles have specific guidelines for citing images, which you can apply to citing a picture of a coat of arms. Ensure that you consistently follow the formatting and punctuation rules of the chosen style.

Creating the Citation:

The exact format of the citation will depend on the chosen style guide, but it typically includes the following elements:

• Name of the armiger (if known)
• Description of the coat of arms, including colours, symbols, and unique features
• Date of the coat of arms (if known)
• Publication information, including author, title of the book, publisher, and date
• Location of the coat of arms within the book, including page number or chapter

Example Citation in MLA Style:

"Smith Family Coat of Arms." The History of Heraldry, by John Doe, History Publishing, 2022, pp. 124-125.

In this example, the citation includes the assumed name of the armiger ("Smith Family"), a description of the coat of arms, the publication information, and the location within the book.

Remember to consult the specific guidelines of your chosen citation style for further instructions and variations in format. Properly citing a picture of a coat of arms in a published book ensures academic integrity and provides valuable information for readers seeking to explore the subject further.

Citing a picture of a coat of arms in a news article

Understanding the Basics of a Coat of Arms:

Before citing a coat of arms, it's important to understand its components and history. A coat of arms is a heraldic visual design that typically includes a shield, supporters, a crest, and a motto. It is unique to an individual, family, state, organization, or corporation. The term "coat of arms" originates from the medieval surcoat garment worn in combat, which displayed the bearer's heraldic bearings.

Determine the Owner and Origin:

To cite a coat of arms accurately, you need to identify who it belongs to and its country of origin. Coats of arms are often associated with specific individuals, families, or institutions. Knowing the owner and origin will help you apply the correct citation style and format.

Choose the Appropriate Citation Style:

Different news organizations or publications may have their own preferred citation styles. The three most common styles are Modern Language Association (MLA), The Chicago Manual of Style (Chicago), and the American Psychological Association (APA). Check with your editor or publication guidelines to confirm the required style.

Format the Citation:

MLA:

"Last name, First name of the owner of the coat of arms, Title or Description of the Coat of Arms, Date it was created (if known), Name of the collection or repository where it's located, Collection or repository location, Collection or repository website (if accessed online)."

Example: "Smith, John, Smith Family Coat of Arms, 1890, The Heraldry Society, London, UK, https://www.heraldrysociety.com/smith-coat-of-arms."

Chicago:

"Owner's Last name, First name, Title or Description of the Coat of Arms (Date of creation, if known), Collection or repository name, Collection/repository location, Collection/repository website (accessed date)."

Example: "Smith, John, Smith Family Coat of Arms (1890), The Heraldry Society, London, UK, https://www.heraldrysociety.com/smith-coat-of-arms (accessed August 21, 2024)."

APA:

"Owner's Last name, First initial. (Date of creation). Title or Description of the Coat of Arms. Collection or repository name, Collection/repository location. Collection/repository website (if available)."

Example: "Smith, J. (1890). Smith Family Coat of Arms. The Heraldry Society, London, UK. https://www.heraldrysociety.com/smith-coat-of-arms"

In-Text Citation:

When referring to the coat of arms within the text of your news article, provide an in-text citation. This can be done by mentioning the owner's last name and the date in parentheses: (Smith, 1890). If you're referring to an idea or quote from a specific source about the coat of arms, include the page number as well: (Smith, 1890, p. 23).

Image Credit and Caption:

When including the picture of the coat of arms in your news article, provide an image credit below the image. Include the owner's name, title or description, date, and source. Additionally, add a caption to provide context for the readers. The caption can include a brief description of the coat of arms, its owner, and any relevant details.

Example of Image Credit:

Image Credit: Smith Family Coat of Arms, 1890, courtesy of The Heraldry Society, London, UK.

Example of Caption:

"The Smith family coat of arms features a lion rampant on a field of gules (red), signifying strength and valor."

Remember, these are general guidelines, and specific publications may have their own variations or requirements for citing a picture of a coat of arms. Always refer to your editor or publication's style guide for the most accurate and up-to-date instructions.

Citing a picture of a coat of arms in a blog post

Understanding Coats of Arms:

Coats of arms, also known as heraldic or armorial achievements, are steeped in history, dating back to early medieval Europe. They were initially used to identify knights in battle and tournaments, but evolved to denote family descent, property ownership, profession, and more. The term "coat of arms" originates from the cloth tunic or "surcoat" worn over armour, which displayed the bearer's heraldic design.

Elements of a Coat of Arms:

A coat of arms typically consists of a shield, supporters, a crest, and a motto. The shield, or escutcheon, is considered the principal element, bearing symbolic charges and tinctures (colours). The crest is a figure or symbol attached to the top of the warrior's helmet, while supporters are additional elements that hold up the shield. A motto, if present, is usually a ribbon bearing a statement or battle cry.

Citing the Image:

When citing a picture of a coat of arms, there are a few key elements to include:

• Source of the Image: Begin by providing details of where the image is from. This could be a website, book, or other source where you found the image. Include the name of the source, the author or editor, and the publication date.
• Title and Description of the Image: Provide a clear title for the image and a brief description. For example, "Coat of Arms of the Smith Family, featuring a lion, a tree, and a golden star on a blue shield."
• Location of the Image within the Source: If applicable, provide details on where the image can be found within the source. For instance, "Figure 3 on page 12 of the Heraldry Handbook."
• Access Date and URL: Include the date you accessed the image and the URL or page number where it can be found.

"Smith Family Coat of Arms." Heraldry Handbook, by Robert Johnson, 3rd ed., Fig. 3, p. 12. Golden Heraldry Press, 2022. Accessed August 21, 2024, https://heraldrypress.com/smith-family-arms.

Citing in Different Styles:

Remember that different citation styles, such as MLA, APA, or Chicago, may have specific requirements for formatting and ordering the citation elements. Be sure to refer to the guidelines for your chosen style to ensure your citation is correct and consistent.

By following these steps, you can properly cite a picture of a coat of arms in your blog post, adding a layer of historical context and visual interest for your readers!

Citing a picture of a coat of arms in a video

Understanding the Basics of Image Citation:

Before citing a picture of a coat of arms, it's crucial to understand the basics of image citation. Just like written sources, images and visuals need to be properly credited to avoid plagiarism and give credit to the original creator. The specific format and structure of the citation can vary depending on the style guide you're using, such as APA, MLA, or Chicago style.

Identifying the Key Elements:

When citing a picture of a coat of arms, there are several key elements you need to include. These may include:

• The title of the image or work
• The name of the repository, museum, or owner
• The city or country of origin
• The location of the original image
• The URL or web address if the image is from an online source

Additionally, if the image is a physical artwork in a museum, you may also want to include the artist or creator's name and the date of creation.

Constructing the Citation:

Now, let's build the citation for the picture of the coat of arms. The structure may vary depending on the citation style, but here's a general example:

Basic construction for an online image:

"Creator/Artist Last name, First initial. (Date of creation). Title of the image [Description]. Website name. URL"

For example: "Smith, J. (2023). Coat of Arms of XYZ Family [Image]. Heraldry Website. https://www.heraldry.com/xyz-family-coat-of-arms"

Basic construction for an artwork in a museum:

"Creator/Artist Last name, First initial. (Date of creation). Title of the image [Description]. Repository/Museum, City, Country. URL"

For example: "Johnson, R. (1890). Coat of Arms of ABC Noble House [Painting]. National History Museum, London, UK. https://www.national-history-museum.co.uk/abc-noble-house-coat-of-arms"

In-Text Citations:

In-text citations are important to indicate where you're referring to the image in the content of your video. In-text citations usually include the last name of the creator/artist and the date of creation, such as (Smith, 2023). If you're referring to a specific part of the image, you can also include a timestamp, such as (Smith, 2023, 0:30).

Checking Style Guide Requirements:

Remember to refer to the specific style guide you're using (APA, MLA, Chicago, etc.) for detailed guidelines on formatting, punctuation, and capitalization. These style guides may also have specific instructions for citing images from unique sources or non-traditional media.

By following these steps and adapting them to the specific style guide you're using, you can properly cite a picture of a coat of arms in your video, ensuring academic integrity and giving credit to the original creator of the visual content.

Frequently asked questions