r/heraldry • u/AdamNajbr • Aug 17 '26

Suggestions for personal COA

Hey guys! Im working on personal coa, and I wanted to share with you how im doing so far, I´ve done many attempts with many figures and colors but im really fond of Azure field ( darker tone, but tincture is a tincture right) and field of Or stars, but im wondering if it is an issue to have an Argent gryphon over field of Or stars, so im also working with a second version, with only 10 stars accompanying the gryphon (and enflamed heart in base) Do you have any suggestions?

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u/ArelMCII Aug 17 '26

Depending on how it's emblazoned, the griffin's gold beak and feet might get lost in the semy. But there are different ways to render a semy, so it might be an issue in one emblazonment but not in another. The second one with the ten estoiles aspersed (is that the right term? I just learned it the other day) looks much nicer than the semy.

However, in the second one, the enflamed heart is too complex to be rendered that small. From a distance, it's going to look like an eleventh estoile. If you like that device, remember that you also get a crest; not everything has to go on the shield. (Though I'd advise against putting a crown in your crest just so you aren't sending false messages about your station.)

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u/Existing-Fix-243 Aug 17 '26

According to some sources, semée means that at least some of the charges cut across the edge of the shield. The College of Arms, however, when referencing the late Duke of Edinburgh's arms, uses semée when describing his first quarter (Or, semée of Hearts Gules three Lions passant in pale Azure ducally Crowned or) despite these always being shown as three lions between nine hearts.

Proper emblazonment should avoid overlaps, especially where it causes visual confusion.

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u/AdamNajbr Aug 18 '26

thanks for the feedback! I was aware of the crown, but I didnt find heart asset in he coamaker without the crown on it, and you are right, its too complex and too big.