Rocosian Heraldry
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Since it's International Heraldry Day, why not?
This public article was written by [Deactivated User], and last updated on 12 Sep 2022, 17:08.
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3. Rocosian Heraldry
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So when I updated the 
Anšyamī flag, I made a note that it's now accurate to in-world heraldry. But what is that in-world heraldry like? If you're interested, this is the article for you!Ever since their establishment, arms have been used to identify both common and noble families alike. Rocosians are able to trace both their paternal and maternal lineage back for generations, provided their family has properly kept their records. Heraldry predates the use of surnames in Rocosia, and when war first broke out men painted their arms on their shields while women wove theirs into tapestries and hung them on the walls of their homes. As such, women's arms are typically painted in the shape of a banner, while men's are depicted as shields. There are exceptions to both rules, although rare. Men who have taken oaths of pacifism and women who have entered into the army are two such examples.
- Upon getting married, a couple will quarter their arms together. However, this doesn't mean they give up their individual arms. Sons and daughters will be represented by the arms of their father or mother, respectively (although again, exceptions may occur on rare occasions). Quartered arms are not passed down, but unique to a married couple.
Arms are passed down in full to the oldest living son and daughter upon their parents' deaths, although if an adult child has been granted arms for demonstrating exceptional skill in an area, this may not be the case. Children are given marks of cadency according to birth order and based on the symbols of the Firstborn Anša, as below.
- If a child dies, their mark is still respected and will not be changed. It's also possible for maternal or paternal arms to pass to a child of the opposite gender (or no one at all, in the case of only children).
- Adopted children's marks depend on when they were adopted, not birth order compared to their non-adopted siblings. A second son could easily be older than the eldest son, but if he was adopted after the eldest's birth his mark will reflect that.
- The cadency mark itself is placed in the upper corner of a child's arms: on the left for commoners and on the right for nobility and royalty.
- If a family happens to have more than twelve sons or daughters (pretty dang unlikely in Rocosia), they would follow the birth order of the Secondborn Anša and utilize their symbols.
| Birth Order | Son | Daughter | Anša |
|---|---|---|---|
| First | Four-pointed Star | Willow Flower | Dante |
| Second | Icicle | Water Droplet | Ivan |
| Third | Deciduous Tree | Deciduous Leaf | Tumna |
| Fourth | Crossed Torches | Sapling | Etras |
| Fifth | Sprouted Seed | Lily-of-the-Valley | Tempine |
| Sixth | Plow | Hyacinth or Lilac | Auran |
| Seventh | Crossed Ceremonial Swords | Six-pointed Star | Eterne |
| Eighth | Full Sun | Rising Sun | Leisol |
| Ninth | Four Eclipsed Moons | Crescent Moon | Lunas |
| Tenth | Goblet | Goose | Miuza |
| Eleventh | Three Teardrops | Geranium | Orya |
| Twelfth | Closed Tulip | Daisy | Kirelle |
Metals
Metals, as a rule, cannot touch other metals. However, metals also share the colors they're represented by with heraldic colors (white, yellow, orange). How to solve this predicament? If white, yellow, or orange is touching a color without a metallic equivalent, then it's a metal. If not, it's considered a color.
| Metal | Represented by? | Symbolism |
|---|---|---|
| Bronze/Copper | Orange | poison, strength in battle |
| Gold | Yellow | balance, good, wealth, royalty |
| Silver | White | wisdom, peace, healing, nobility |
Colors
Unlike metals, colors are allowed to touch each other. There aren't many real rules in place for them
| Color | Anšyamī Name | Translation | Symbolism |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black | Dzaira | Cruel-Color | pain, poison, slaughter, intimidation, intense emotions |
| Bright Blue | Tenira | Midnight-Color | artistry, heroism, chivalry, justice, fairness, long life, athleticism |
| Bright Green | Vēira | Forest-Color | fertility, earth, forests, grace, good fortune, hard work, success, victory |
| Bright Red | Bōnira | Battle-Color | battle prowess, protection, competition, courage, fire, the sun, glory, honor in combat, sports, masculinity |
| Brown | Tsunira | Earth-Color | farmland, tilled soil, abundance, harvest, fertility, earth, wood, sturdiness |
| Darker Red | Ašaira | Rose-Color | sorrow over war, loss, grief, shed blood, death |
| Orange | Edira | Flame-Color | home, the hearth, merriment, festivities, abundance of food, comfort, decay, decomposition, maturity |
| Pale Blue | Heīra | Water-Color | curiosity, exploration, youth, sailing, vastness, water, clouds, good memory |
| Pale Green | Pīra | Spring-Color | growth, new life, air, creation, love, beauty, peace |
| Pink | Kanira | Passion-Color | happiness, music, extravagance, rebirth, wishes, passion, rebellion |
| Teal | Ūra | Health-Color | nobility, good health, healing, tranquility, rain, white magic, goodness, balance |
| Yellow | Kīra | Beauty-Color | compassion, cheerfulness, youth, liveliness, fearlessness, perseverance, generosity |
| White | Danira | Good-Color | purity, noble spirit, comfort, friendship, kindness, femininity, white magic, goodness |
Animal
Animals are typically depicted facing forward, referred to as vegatsu (facing). In this position, they’re depicted in a style similar to the masks of Elder Animal Spirits, and are considered more aggressive and intimidating. When facing to the side (typically looking left), the animal is considered more noble and intelligent, depicted in a more realistic style. Full bodied animals are rare.
It’s forbidden to have more than one type of animal on a newly-granted coat of arms; it’s seen as greedy to wish for more than one because of the association with archetypes. Rocosians believe that everyone has one animal they would become if a witch were to curse them. To claim, for instance, that you could become a wolf and a frog is arrogant.
| Animal | Anšyamī Translation | Symbolism | Weasel | Falin | trickery, resourcefulness |
|---|---|---|
| Rabbit | Usi | fertility, innocence, femininity |
| Squirrel | Eitako | wit, playfulness, resourcefulness |
| Mouse | Zuri | humility, meekness, unseeming nature |
| Bird (generic) | Tširi | pride, beauty, helpfulness |
| Firebird | Etširi | loyalty to family, protection, prestige |
| Dog | Gei | loyalty to friends, steadfastness, righteousness, carefree nature |
| Bear | Tsunirul | power, strength, "power over all" |
| Fish | Ryaka | curiosity, exploration, water |
| Cat | Konni | cunning, self-reliance, independence |
| Deer | Savin | grace, agility, wit |
| Wolf | Rraul | power, cunning, loyalty to authority, strength in numbers |
| Sheep | Yunni | gentle nature, companionship, kindness |
| Cow | Kava | familial love, hard work, caring nature, hidden strength |
| Goose | Ōši | defensiveness, aggression, power |
| Golden Goose | Vōndunya Ōši | humble wealth, gracious nobility, good fortune, power, nobility |
| Dragon | Eteska | dragon-slayer, worthiness (no longer granted, dragons are a symbol of the families who once hunted them) |
| Pig | Suvi | cleanliness, strength, intelligence |
| Duck | Heitširi | camaraderie, pluck, courage, persistence, freedom |
| Swan | Ōtširi | loyalty to a lover, faithfulness, grace |
| Goat | Yaza | bravery, unpredictability, sportsmanship, strength |
| Owl | Ilza | arrogance, individuality, precision, silence |
| Pheasant | Fuatširi | regality, intimidation, strong spirit |
| Frog | Kiko | renewal, fresh starts, good health, happiness, tranquility |
| Crow | Meitširi | intelligence, loyalty, adaptability |
| Unicorn/Qilin | Fanla | justice, purity, mystery, high quality |
| Fox | Kašli | cunning, wit, adaptability, resourcefulness |
Floral
| Flora | Anšyamī Translation | Symbolism |
|---|---|---|
| Apple Blossom | Leviko | provision, from farmland, peacefulness |
| Bear's Garlic | Sīrra | defense, defensiveness, strength, good health |
| Bergamot Blossom | Levībera | beloved, from the coast, virility |
| Blue Fenugreek Flower | Levōla | support, appreciation |
| Chamomile | Mela | aspiration, calm nature, long memory |
| Cornflower | Tenatšel | from the field, good memory, exploration |
| Daisy | Sōlei | innocence, youth |
| Deciduous Leaf | Fē | duty, from the forest, renewal |
| Fir Needles | Atšavon | eternal youth, eternity, from the mountains |
| Forget-me-not | Heipinē | great valor, heroism, from Dansia |
| Henbit | Aifē | self-sufficiency, longevity, grand aspirations |
| Hibiscus | Filea | endurance, from the coast, from the islands, good constitution |
| Hydrangea | Eitayutša | abundance, flexibility, generosity |
| Iris | Anma | courage in the face of adversity, perseverance |
| Lily-of-the-Valley | Embotšīrē | innocence, wonder, charm |
| Pansy/Heartsease/Viola | Gemyutša | romantic nature, delicacy, fine beauty |
| Pinecone | Atšavēsun | toughness, protection, parental instinct |
| Queen Anne's Lace | Airuda | concealed power, gentle strength, from the fields |
| Rose | Aša | well-utilized power, defense, resilience, beauty |
| Rosebud | Ašalem | growth, gained strength, small yet mighty |
| Thistle | Atšel | aggression, protection, tenacity |
| Tulip (closed) | Dinšadeya Katirē | rebirth, fresh starts, modesty |
| Tulip (open) | Zodanaya Katirē | gregariousness, good temperament, cheer |
| Willow bud | Fanlem | gentle nature, from the forest, grace |
In addition to an individual's arms, they also have a seal derived from it. They are composed in a circle, with the center being the main charge of their arms and a stylized ring of their cadency mark around it. Other additions are common, such as “fabric” flourishes, runes or calligraphic letters. The second son of a family of dragonslayers might have a dragon surrounded by icicles, with some runes of Ivan on the outer circle. Seals are composed very carefully, and their stamps passed down just as arms themselves are. ✎ Edit Article ✖ Delete Article
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