Family Crest & Battleshield

I have always been interested in medieval history and symbolism (all throughout history) & of course family heraldry is an integral part of it. A few weeks back I took a stab at designing a family crest, a battle shield and a tapestry design that I plan to pass on to our kids.  Fortunately I also found a armory maker that makes battle shields for hollywood movies who have graciously agreed to make a shield for me based on my design. I also found a tapestry maker in Tennesse who is going to work on a silk & woolen tapestry (4 x 4) that will hang in the family room alongside the battle shield and swords. So here are the design concepts and I welcome any comments. The associated meanings are explained with each concept.

The coat of arms has three animals - the Lion to signify 'strength', the eagle to symbolise 'might' and the horse to signify 'readiness to duty'. The latin phrases in the ribbon below the shield are associated with each animal. "Virtus in Ardus" means Virture of courage in Adversity is associated with the Lion. "Laus Deo" means "Praise be to God". The family praises God because of the redemptive work of Yeshua through His cross and because of that we are grafted into His royalty and hence the might of the eagle. The eagle also reprsents God's promise on my life from:

Isaiah 40:31 ...."but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."

The text "Tenax Et Fidelis" stands for "Persevering and faithful" which is linked with readiness of duty that we go out and perfrom what we are called to do faithully and persever even in troubles and challenges. The swords are taken from the crusader era with the meaning that we carry out our faith and duties with the sword of the spirit which is the word of God and signifying that we are ever ready for battle. I turned the coat of arms of concepts into the battle shield with the same elements flowing into the tapestry design.

The symbolic elements of the family's battleshield reminds me of Paul's exultation in Ephesians 6:13–18 that we will raise the shield of faith in Yeshua and be ready for battle.

13Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints

Blessings & Shalom,

Sam Kurien