Image: Caranorn via Wiki Commons/Delta-9vi a Wiki Commons/Wiki Commons
About This Quiz
In the 12th century, coats of arms could be seen on knights and minor feudal lords who went into battle. Within another century, families were using coats of arms to represent their entire clan. The families flew flags that carried the symbol above their castles and manors. But of course, this honor was not afforded to just anyone. Only the highest classes of people in medieval Europe used coats of arms, as they were the only ones with ancestors distinguished enough to be granted use by the king himself. Once a family started using a coat of arms, it was passed down through the generations.ÂÂ
It's interesting to note that each part of the coat of arms has a specific meaning. As most people were illiterate at that time, the coat of arms needed to convey in a glance the history, achievements and characteristics that the family valued. Animals or objects were used to describe personality traits - brave as a lion, for example. The colors were used as symbols of character, for instance, gold being generous, or blue as the color of loyalty.ÂÂ
Which animal would represent you? See if you can identify the animals on these coats of arms. You'll gain insight into how people centuries ago, viewed the wildlife around them. They even used mythical creatures to describe their personality traits! Find out more by taking this quiz. ÂÂ
Wiki Commons
Can you identify the animal in this coat of arms?
Bear
Animals were frequently used as a main charge in coats of arms. Usually the animals chosen were fierce and ferocious looking or they represented positive traits such as wisdom, resourcefulness and loyalty. The one pictured here symbolizes strength, cunning and ferocity in the protection of one's kindred.
Lion
Fox
Wolf
Heralder via Wiki Commons
What is the animal in this emblem?
Lion
Boar
The animals on crests were shown in certain traditional postures, usually in positions of combat.This one is a boar, which symbolizes bravery and the mindset to fight to the death. It also symbolizes hospitality.
Snake
Horse
Sodacan via Wiki Commons
What is the identity of the animal symbolized in this picture?
Dolphin
There were those coat of arms or emblems that were more sophisticated than symbolizing brute strength. This one is of the dolphin, which represents swiftness, diligence, salvation, charity and love.
Mermaid
Shark
Whale
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Ng556 via Wiki Commons
What is the animal represented here?
Raven
Hummingbird
Dove
The white dove is biblical. It represents the Holy Spirit. And with an olive branch in its bill, it signifies a harbinger of good tidings as well as loving constancy and peace.
Pelican
Zografos 07 via Wiki Commons
What is the animal in this coat of arms?
Finch
Crow
Eagle
The bald eagle symbolizes so much in the U.S., but on this emblem it represents a person of noble nature, strength, bravery, and alertness. If wings are displayed, it signifies protection. An eagle with two heads symbolizes conjoining forces.
Seagull
Wiki Commons
What's the identity of the animal in this coat of arms?
Rhinoceros
Hippopotamus
Bear
Elephant
When a coat of arms bears an elephant, it symbolizes great strength, wit, longevity, happiness, royalty, good luck and ambition.
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Delta-9 via Wiki Commons
What animal is depicted in this coat of arms?
Mermaid
Walrus
Seal
Fish
A coat of arms that contains a fish means the wearer is true, generous and virtuous for himself. The fish can also symbolize the unity with Christ and spiritual nourishment.
Wiki Commons
What is the animal in this seal?
Wolf
Hound
Fox
A coat of arms with an emblem of a fox can signify a person who will use all that he/she may possess of wisdom and wit in his/her own defense. Clever as a fox comes to mind.
Serpent
Aliman5040 via Wiki Commons
In the coat of arms registry, what animal would be listed for this emblem?
Raven
Robin
Sparrow
Hawk
Spotting a hawk or falcon on a coat of arms can only mean one thing, the person will not rest until they achieve their objective. You don't want to get in this person's way.
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Uchimedia via Wiki Commons
What is the name of the animal in this coat of arms?
Horse
The horse on a coat of arms signifies something similar to a solider: readiness for all employments for king and country.
Moose
Wolf
Dragon
Wiki Commons
What is the name of the animal in this crest?
Sheep
Lamb
There are layers of meaning if you see a lamb on a coat of arms. It symbolizes gentleness and patience under suffering. A lamb carrying a staff or banner with a cross is a paschal lamb, which represents faith, innocence and bravery.
Cow
Horse
Leonid 2 via Wiki Commons
What's the name of the animal in this coat of arms?
Lion
Leopard
You'll immediately know more about a person when you see them wearing this leopard emblem. They are a valiant and hardy warrior who enterprises hazardous things by force and courage.
Deer
Elk
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Sodacan via Wiki Commons
What animal is shown here?
Cougar
Zebra
Lion
From the Wizard of Oz and the cowardly lion who needed courage, to storybooks about the king of the jungle, the lion on this coat of arms has similar symbolism as today, it represents dauntless bravery.
Stag
Glasshouse via Wiki Commons
What animal is depicted in this coat of arms?
Kitten
Panther
Don't insult the family of anyone with a panther on their coat of arms. A panther is fierce but tender and loving to children and will defend her children with her life.
Octopus
Seal
Glasshouse via Wiki Commons
What animal is symbolized in this picture?
Stag
A stag or stag’s antlers symbolizes someone who will not fight unless provoked. They represent peace and harmony as well as strength and fortitude.
Deer
Bear
Moose
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Spedona via Wiki Commons
What animal is depicted in the image?
Swallow
When you see the swallow on a coat of arms, you may recognize the person as prompt and ready to do business. He or she can also be the bearer of good tidings.
Hawk
Vulture
Dove
Regicollis via Wiki Commons
What's the animal on this coat of arms?
Vulture
Swan
The grace and perfection of a swan is what this coat of arms signifies. It also represents poetic harmony and sincerity as well as the light of learning.
Dove
Raven
Demidow via Wiki Commons
This emblem carries a depiction of an animal, which one is it?
Tortoise
Although it doesn't look courageous, fierce or full of wisdom, the tortoise on a coat of arms invokes the feeling of invulnerability to attack.
Armadillo
Turtle
Conch
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Roar! Which animal is shown on this coat of arms?
Lion
Tiger
You don't want to mess around with someone who wears the emblem that contains a tiger. It symbolizes fierceness and valor as well as resentment. It is dangerous if aroused.
Panther
Bear
Wiki Commons
What is the name of the animal shown?
Centaur
It wasn't unusual for mythological creatures to be found on coats of arms and crests. These creatures, too, had special significance. For instance, the centaur spoke to eminence in the field of battle.
Man
Stag
Horse
Regicollis via Wiki Commons
Which animal is depicted in this coat of arms?
Vulture
Dragon
Another common mythological animal is the dragon. It denotes a valiant defender of treasure as well as valor and protection. One may also see the wyvern (sometimes spelled wivern), which is a winged two-legged dragon with a barbed tail.
Eagle
Hawk
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Caranorn via Wiki Commons
What is the identity of the mythical animal in this crest?
Lion
Harpy
Phoenix
Griffin
A griffin is a mythological creature that has the head, wings, and talons of an eagle along with the body of a lion. It combines the symbolism of both animals: valor, courage, vigilance and death-defying bravery.
Wiki Commons
What is the name of the animal symbolized in this badge?
Harpy
Harpies have a virgin's face, neck and breast with the body of a lion. If you were to see this on a coat of arms, you would know the person wearing it is fierce under provocation.
Phoenix
Gorilla
Eagle
Dennis Jarvis via Wiki Commons
Which mythical animal is shown in this coat of arms?
Dragon
Hydra
A hydra is a dragon with seven heads. According to Greek mythology, when one of its heads was cut off, two new heads appeared. To wear a hydra is to conjure the idea of conquest of a very powerful enemy
Phoenix
Mermaid
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Wiki Commons
What animal is depicted in this coat of arms?
Walrus
Seal
Mermaid
If you were to see a mermaid on a coat of arms, you would know it represents eloquence. It's interesting to note that the Starbucks logo is a mermaid.
Serpent
Aliman5040 via Wiki Commons
What animal is shown in this emblem?
Horse
Stag
Pegasus
The mythical, winged, divine stallion, the Pegasus, denotes poetic genius and inspiration. It is a messenger of the gods.
Moose
Wiki Commons
What animal is depicted in this coat of arms?
Eagle
Phoenix
The phoenix is a bird that rises from the ashes of its predecessor, as told in Greek mythology. Thus, on an emblem it is a symbol of resurrection.
Hawk
Crow
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Chatsam via Wiki Commons
What animal is shown in this coat of arms?
Lion
Sphinx
In Greek tradition, the sphinx has the head of a human, the haunches of a lion and sometimes the wings of a bird. In the Greek myths, it is characterized as treacherous and merciless, although on a coat of arms it is thought to be all-knowing and secretive.
Dragon
Eagle
Heralder via Wiki Commons
What animal is shown in this crest?
Horse
Stag
Dragon
Unicorn
Seeing a unicorn on a coat of arms is a rare thing indeed. It represents extreme courage, virtue and strength.
Heralder via Wiki Commons
What animal is illustrated in this picture?
Bat
The black wings extended and its open mouth could intimidate anyone. Fear was what the bat would conjure on a coat of arms. It was used to inspire panic in enemies.
Eagle
Vulture
Crow
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Ollie Martin via Wiki Commons
What animal is depicted in this image?
Horse
Stag
Bull
To wear this coat of arms, you and your family represent valor, bravery and generosity. The horns themselves represent strength and fortitude. You would wear this symbol with pride.
Centaur
Eccekevin via Wiki Commons
Let's have fun. What animal is shown here?
Beaver
Rat
Otter
The world loves otters because their image denotes the serious traits of industry and perseverance, as well as an ability to return to moments of play. The otter is most often found as a symbol in Scottish and Irish coats of arms among other countries.
Squirrel
Lokal_Profil via Wiki Commons
Seven more questions left ... what is the name of this animal?
Horse
Ram
Displaying this symbol indicates the wearer carries authority and leadership, as well as power and nobility. The ram is often shown in a rampant, or in the fighting position.
Sheep
Goat
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What is the name of the animal in this coat of arms?
Ant
Depending on its species, an ant can lift up to 100 times its weight! That is why the ant symbolizes great labor as well as wisdom and providence in one’s affairs.
Lobster
Squid
Wasp
Delta-9 via Wiki Commons
What is the name of the animal in this crest?
Donkey
Wearing the coat of arms that display the symbol of a donkey means the person and their family have both patience and humility.
Horse
Centaur
Lion
Ville de Montreal via Wiki Commons
Four more to go. What is the name of the animal in this image?
Lion
Panther
Beaver
The beaver represents an industrious family who are tenacious and have perseverance to accomplish the task at hand. Think of the beaver and how it cuts down trees to build a dam each year as an example.
Woodchuck
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What is the name of the animal symbolized on this badge?
Raven
Cock
If you've heard of cock fights, you know how ferocious a cock can be. The cock, or cockerel, also represents courage and perseverance which also extends to being nimble in politics.
Hawk
Eagle
Manassas2 via Wiki Commons
What is the name of the animal in this emblem?
Spider
Grasshopper
The emblem that carries the grasshopper symbolizes the noble and home-bred. If you dream about a grasshopper, it can mean that you are learning important things in your life.
Ant
Hawk
Wiki Commons
One question left after this. What is the name of the animal depicted here?
Eagle
Peacock
Beauty, power and knowledge are what the peacock symbolizes on a crest or coat of arms. This bird is spectacular when it spreads its wings, it receives admiration from us all.
Raven
Vulture
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You Got:
/40
Caranorn via Wiki Commons/Delta-9vi a Wiki Commons/Wiki Commons