Genealogy - Satterlee Coat of Arms - The Blazon of Arms

As shown below, the "Satterlee coat of arms", or any coat of arms, consists of several parts: the wreath, the crest, the helmet, the mantling, the shield and its elements, and the motto and name and its elements (another element, not a part of the Satterlee coat of arms, are the supporters -- animals or people standing on either side of the shield).

The Satterlee Blazon Described

The official, written description of the coat of arms is called the "blazon of arms."

The Satterlee Blazon of Arms is:  Gules, a fess ermine between round buckles, or points, in chief.

The blazon may seem like a foreign language, but it is simply a system of code words to denote colors, placement, and styling by using an economy of words. 

The translation for the Satterlee blazon of arms would be:  a red shield in the center of which is a band, horizontal, of ermine. Above the band (chief) are two gold buckles, with the points up, and one below the band (base).

 

The Elements Identified

Much of the printed design for a given coat of arms is more the artist's preference or the style of a particular herald, and not a part of any particular blazon. The mantling and the banners for names and mottoes, for example, are not an official element of the blazon of arms. The helm, likewise, is not a part of the official blazon. Some historians attach a significance to the design of the helm or helmet as representative of a certain century or social status, but there are differences of opinion on this matter.

A Difference of Opinion - Two or More Blazons of Arms?

You can see that the two arms pictured do indeed differ based on the artist's style and preference.  Now what about the crest and motto?  You will note that one of the arms does not include the crest nor does it include the motto.  That is because some noted reference works do not agree on these as being elements of the Satterlee Blazon of Arms.  In fact, depending on the branch of the family from which you are descended, you may be accustomed to an entirely different coat of arms (ermine on a black stripe at the top three silver roses, with the crest being a gold lion's head charged with three roses).  If you have read the other materials on heraldry at this site or view the writings of others elsewhere, you may come to the conclusion that you are able to use the arms with which you feel most comfortable (and you do not need any permission to do so or to create your own unique coat of arms for that matter).  There appears to be a differences not only  between registered descriptions of the arms, but also between these descriptions  and the way in  which the Blazon has been adapted and rendered by various branches of the family.  These two facts are used by both sides to make claims of one being "right" and the other being "wrong".   I will leave the debate on which is most  accurate to another forum, and ask you to do the same, at least for the purposes of this discussion.  So, let us continue.

 

The Crest and Motto

The crest is  a stork resting, holding in the dexter claw a stone proper. In non-heraldic terms this would be a stork standing on its right leg holding a natural colored stone in the left claw. The stork is natural colored.

The motto is Semper Fidelis which is Latin for Always Faithful.  There are some researchers who claim that the motto was also used as a battle-cry.

 

The Meaning Behind the Symbols

Each of the elements of the blazon of arms has a symbolic meaning.  Scholars of heraldry  will sometimes differ on the exact meanings of these symbols.  The following interpretations attempt to use the most commonly held meanings.

The color.  Even the colors in the arms are symbolic.  They are used to denote the character of the bearer of arms.  For the Satterlee Coat of Arms, red is the predominant color.  Red symbolizes military strength and magnanimity (fairness).  Silver or white is symbolic of peace and sincerity.  Gold is the symbol of generosity and elevation of the mind.

The horizontal band.  The horizontal band is of the fur ermine (an ermine is a weasel - Mustela erminea  - that lives in northern regions, and has a black-tipped tail and dark brown fur that changes to white in winter changes).  This symbol is a mark of dignity and it thought to have been awarded for service to the king or one of the royal family.

The round buckles.  The round buckles symbolize victorious fidelity in authority.

The mantling.  Mantling is a heavy piece of cloth or leather that is placed over the helmet and back of the neck.  It's use is to deflect the warmth of the sun as well as the swords of an enemy.  The mantling will use the colors from the shield and enhance the symbolism of the other elements.

The crest.  The stork is a symbol of filial duty (duty of a son or daughter in relation to parents) and of a close parental bond.  A stork holding a stone further symbolizes vigilance.

You can see that the elements reinforce one another in terms of meaning and tell a story about the bearer.  May each Satterlee live up to the high standard set forth in our Blazon of Arms!