Difference between revisions of "Coats of Arms of Westarctica"

[[File:Grand duchy crown large.jpg|250px|thumb|Arms of Westarctica from 2005 - 2015]]

[[File:Grand duchy crown large.jpg|250px|thumb|Arms of Westarctica from 2005 - 2015]]

The first coat of arms for [[Westarctica]] was created by [[Duke of Moulton-Berlin|Jon-Lawrence Langer]] in January 2005 in his capacity as [[Ellsworth King of Arms|Chief Herald]]. The colors and design were based upon the first [[Flag of Westarctica]]: a green cross upon a field of teal. Instead of green and teal, however, Langer chose the colors yellow and sky blue to help set it apart from the flag.

The first coat of arms for [[Westarctica]] was created by [[Duke of Moulton-Berlin|Jon-Lawrence Langer]] in January 2005 in his capacity as [[Ellsworth King of Arms|Chief Herald]]. The colors and design were based upon the first [[Flag of Westarctica]]: a green cross upon a field of teal. Instead of green and teal, however, Langer chose the colors yellow and sky blue to help set it apart from the flag.

These arms were quickly embraced by [[Grand Duke Travis]], who integrated the new arms into a more robust version with gilded lions as supporters. This version was actually just an edited graphic of the coat of arms of Luxembourg, but it graced the letterhead of many of the Grand Duke's early decrees, correspondence, [[Proclamations of Titleage]], and [[Courtesy title]]s. An even more colorful and original crest was later created to frame the arms which featured a grand ducal crown atop a knight's armorial helmet. This would become the most publicly recognizable variant of the arms and remained in use throughout the reigns of subsequent Grand Dukes.

These arms were quickly embraced by [[Grand Duke Travis]], who integrated the new arms into a more robust version with gilded lions as supporters. This version was actually just an edited graphic of the coat of arms of Luxembourg, but it graced the letterhead of many of the Grand Duke's early decrees, correspondence, [[Proclamations of Titleage]], and [[Courtesy title]]s. An even more colorful and original crest was later created to frame the arms which featured a grand ducal crown atop a knight's armorial helmet. This would become the most publicly recognizable variant of the arms and remained in use throughout the reigns of subsequent Grand Dukes.

[[File:New greater shield.jpg|thumb|250px|Greater Arms of Westarctica]]

[[File:New greater shield.jpg|thumb|250px|Greater Arms of Westarctica]]

In early 2015, Grand Duke Travis commissioned a new coat of arms from [[Michael Richards]], the [[Ellsworth King of Arms]]. These arms were more colorful and more closely resembled the traditional arms of European royal families. The new arms echoed the general layout and composition of the original Langer-created arms, but in a more subdued color scheme with an updated crown symbol. These arms featured lions as supporters surrounded by the ornamental chain of the [[Order of the Snowflake]]. Westarctica's national motto, "Fortune Favors the Bold" is written in English along the bottom of the arms.

In early 2015, Grand Duke Travis commissioned a new coat of arms from [[Michael Richards]], the [[Ellsworth King of Arms]]. These arms were more colorful and more closely resembled the traditional arms of European royal families. The new arms echoed the general layout and composition of the original Langer-created arms, but in a more subdued color scheme with an updated crown symbol. These arms featured lions as supporters surrounded by the ornamental chain of the [[Order of the Snowflake]]. Westarctica's national motto, "Fortune Favors the Bold" is written in English along the bottom of the arms.

These arms became known as the Greater Arms of Westarctica and are used only for the highest, most important documents of State. All Letters Patent creating new titles in the [[Peerage of Westarctica]] bear the Greater Arms.

These arms became known as the Greater Arms of Westarctica and are used only for the highest, most important documents of State. All Letters Patent creating new titles in the [[Peerage of Westarctica]] bear the Greater Arms.

[[File:Lesser COA Westarctica.jpg|thumb|250px|Lesser Arms of Westarctica: ''Azure, charged with 33 snowflakes argent''.]]

[[File:Lesser COA Westarctica.jpg|thumb|250px|Lesser Arms of Westarctica: ''Azure, charged with 33 snowflakes argent''.]]

Shortly after the Greater Arms had been created, [[Grand Duke Travis]] was approached by Erik White, the Baron of [[Forrester Island|Forrester]] with a variant version of arms that His Lordship felt would be an appropriate alternative. The Forrester arms featured white [[snow|snowflakes]] upon a field of dark blue with two [[orca]]s as supporters topped with a royal crown.

Shortly after the Greater Arms had been created, [[Grand Duke Travis]] was approached by Erik White, the Baron of [[Forrester Island|Forrester]] with a variant version of arms that His Lordship felt would be an appropriate alternative. The Forrester arms featured white [[snow|snowflakes]] upon a field of dark blue with two [[orca]]s as supporters topped with a royal crown.

The Lesser Arms have also been featured on [[Stamps of Westarctica|Westarctica's stamps]] and the newly-created [[20 ice mark note|20 Ice Mark banknote]]. All [[Proclamations of Titleage]] issued by the Grand Duke after 2015 bear the Lesser Arms at the top of the certificate.

The Lesser Arms have also been featured on [[Stamps of Westarctica|Westarctica's stamps]] and the newly-created [[20 ice mark note|20 Ice Mark banknote]]. All [[Proclamations of Titleage]] issued by the Grand Duke after 2015 bear the Lesser Arms at the top of the certificate.

[[File:Westarctica Arms - Full.png|250px|thumb|Current Arms of Westarctica]]

[[File:Westarctica Arms - Full.png|250px|thumb|Current Arms of Westarctica]]

In May 2020, after several months of debate and input from various members of Westarctica's government, the [[Baron of Abele]], in his capacity as the [[Ellsworth King of Arms]], created a new version of Westarctica's official coat of arms. After some discussion, it was decided that these arms would serve as both the arms of the nation and also the personal arms of the [[Grand Duke of Westarctica]]. This is keeping in line with the policies of many other monarchies.

In May 2020, after several months of debate and input from various members of Westarctica's government, the [[Baron of Abele]], in his capacity as the [[Ellsworth King of Arms]], created a new version of Westarctica's official coat of arms. After some discussion, it was decided that these arms would serve as both the arms of the nation and also the personal arms of the [[Grand Duke of Westarctica]]. This is keeping in line with the policies of many other monarchies.

The blazon for the shield goes thus: ''Quarterly, in the first and fourth blue-céleste, with a cross or, in the first quarter a crown argent, in the second and third azure, six snowflakes argent, over all an inescutcheon of the fourth, a fess of the third, between three pelicans vulning, wings addorsed and inverted of the same.''

The blazon for the shield goes thus: ''Quarterly, in the first and fourth blue-céleste, with a cross or, in the first quarter a crown argent, in the second and third azure, six snowflakes argent, over all an inescutcheon of the fourth, a fess of the third, between three pelicans vulning, wings addorsed and inverted of the same.''

[[Category: Symbols of Westarctica]]

[[Category: Symbols of Westarctica]]