The Significance Of Crowns In Heraldry

Crowns are a common symbol of power and are often used in coat of arms to signify the status of their owner. They are used by sovereign states, particularly monarchies, and sometimes by republics. In heraldry, crowns are used according to strict rules, and their appearance depends on the rank of the owner of the coat of arms. For example, a royal coat of arms may display a royal crown, while a princely coat of arms may display a princely crown. Crowns can be placed above a shield or used as a charge in a coat of arms.

Crowns as symbols of religious status

Crowns are often used as symbols of religious status or veneration by divinities or their representatives. For example, the Black Crown of the Karmapa Lama is sometimes used as a model for devotees. Crowns can be used as a charge in a coat of arms or set atop a shield to signify the status of its owner, as with the coat of arms of Norway.

The appearance of a crown or coronet follows strict rules. A royal coat of arms may display a royal crown, and a princely coat of arms may display a princely crown, and so on.

In the British peerage, the design of a coronet shows the rank of its owner. The coronet of a duke, for example, has eight strawberry leaves, while the coronet of a marquess has four strawberry leaves and four silver balls.

In formal English, the word "crown" is reserved for the crown of a monarch and the Queen consort, while the word "coronet" is used for all other crowns used by members of the British royal family and peers of the realm.

Crowns as charges in coats of arms

Crowns are a common feature in coats of arms, often signifying the status of the owner. They can be used as a charge in a coat of arms or set atop a shield. While some crowns are generic, others are specific to the rank of the owner of the coat of arms.

In British heraldry, the coronet of a duke has eight strawberry leaves, that of a marquess has four strawberry leaves and four silver balls, that of an earl has eight strawberry leaves and eight silver balls raised on stalks, that of a viscount has sixteen silver balls, and that of a peerage baron or lord of parliament has six silver balls.

In Continental heraldry, the appearance of the crown or coronet also follows strict rules. A royal coat of arms may display a royal crown, while a princely coat of arms may display a princely crown, and so on.

Crowns can also be used as symbols of religious status or veneration, such as the Black Crown of the Karmapa Lama in Tibetan Buddhism.

• Naval Crown: This crown is composed of the sails and sterns of ships. It is often awarded to distinguished naval commanders.
• Astral Crown: This crown is composed of wings and stars. It is used by squadrons of some air forces.
• Eastern Crown: This crown is made up of spikes.
• Celestial Crown: This is a variation of the Eastern Crown, with each spike topped with a star.
• Mural Crown: This crown is composed of battlements and is commonly displayed on the coats of arms of towns and some republics.
• Camp Crown: This crown has palisades on the rim, forming spikes. It was traditionally awarded to the first person to enter an enemy camp after breaking through its defences.
• Crown of Nobility: This crown is used by some cities, such as Vaasa in Finland.
• Ducal Coronet: This coronet has three leaves and is used by dukes or duchesses.
• Wheat Sheaf Crown: This crown is composed of spikes and golden wheat sheaves, used by some Scottish councils.

In addition to these specific examples, many animal charges (particularly lions and eagles) and sometimes human heads also appear crowned in coats of arms.

Heraldic crowns and their strict rules

Heraldic crowns are used to represent various levels of authority and are often used as symbols of religious status or veneration. In British heraldry, the most common crowns are those belonging to the sovereign. The St. Edward’s Crown is used for queens, and the Imperial Crown is used for kings. In Scotland, the Crown of Scotland is used.

Heraldic crowns are used under strict rules. If the bearer of a coat of arms has the title of baron or higher (or hereditary knight in some countries), they may display a coronet of rank above the shield, usually below the helm in British heraldry. The appearance of the crown or coronet follows strict rules. A royal coat of arms may display a royal crown, while a princely coat of arms may display a princely crown, and so on.

In British peerage, the design of a coronet indicates the rank of its owner. For example, the coronet of a duke has eight strawberry leaves, while a viscount's coronet has sixteen "pearls".

There are also naval, civic, mural, and similar crowns used in heraldry. A mural crown, composed of a plain gold circlet of battlements, is commonly displayed on the coats of arms of towns and some republics. Ships and other units of some navies have a naval crown composed of sails and sterns of ships above the shield of their coats of arms. Squadrons of some air forces have an astral crown composed of wings and stars.

In addition to crowns, helmets are often used as substitutes for coronets, and some coronets are only worn on helmets.

Crowns as symbols of victory, empire and sovereignty

Crowns are often used as symbols of victory, empire and sovereignty. They are emblems of a sovereign state, usually a monarchy, but also used by some republics. They are also used as symbols of religious status or veneration.

Crowns are used in heraldry under strict rules. A royal coat of arms may display a royal crown, and a princely coat of arms a princely crown, and so on. The appearance of the crown or coronet follows strict rules, depending on the rank of its owner.

In British heraldry, the coronet of a duke has eight strawberry leaves, that of a marquess has four strawberry leaves and four silver balls, that of an earl has eight strawberry leaves and eight silver balls raised on stalks, that of a viscount has sixteen silver balls, and that of a peerage baron or lord of parliament has six silver balls.

Crowns can be used as charges in a coat of arms, or set atop the shield to signify the status of its owner. A mural crown, for example, is commonly displayed on coats of arms of towns and some republics. A naval crown, composed of sails and sterns of ships, is often awarded to distinguished naval commanders.

In formal English, the word 'crown' is reserved for the crown of a monarch and the queen consort, whereas the word 'coronet' is used for all other crowns used by members of the British royal family and peers of the realm.

Coronets and their usage

Coronets are an important part of heraldry, often signifying the status of the owner of a coat of arms. They are used to represent various levels of authority and are usually placed above the shield, below the helm, in British heraldry, and above the crest in Continental heraldry.

In the British peerage, coronet design indicates the rank of its owner. For example, a duke's coronet has eight strawberry leaves, while a marquess' coronet has four strawberry leaves and four silver balls. The coronets of royalty and nobility are often referred to as 'crowns' rather than 'coronets'.

There are also coronets for specific positions, such as the chapeau or cap of maintenance granted to feudal barons in the baronage of Scotland. These are placed between the shield and helmet, like a peer's coronet.

In Continental heraldry, helmets are often used in place of coronets, and some coronets are only worn on helmets. For example, French heraldry during the Ancien Régime featured the vidame coronet, a metal circle mounted with three visible crosses, which was only worn on a helmet.

Coronets are also used to denote service in specific areas, such as the naval and astral crowns granted for service in the navy and air force, respectively. In Canada, there are two loyalist crowns granted to those who can prove descent from Americans loyal to the British Crown during the revolution.

In civic heraldry, mural crowns are commonly used to represent local authorities, such as city, borough, and county councils. These can be differenced with the addition of symbols or unique designs.

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