Heraldry

The art of heraldry captured my imagination from an early age. I vividly recall my first meaningful encounter with it: a collection of stamps showcasing the official coats of arms from Germany’s sixteen federal states, each one telling its own story through carefully chosen symbols and colors. This lifelong fascination led me to collaborate with Munich-based heraldic artist Ralf Burkert in 2018 to create my personal coat of arms. The design’s official description, known as the blazon, is documented in both German and English:

In German:

“In blau ein silberner Adlerflügel, Saxen aufwärts gekehrt, rechts mit Hand, das Handgelenk von einer eisenfarbenen, gesprengten Kette umschlossen, drei goldene, balkenweise nach links gewendete Weizenähren mit Halm haltend, darüber drei goldene, fünfstrahlige Sterne. Auf dem blau-silbern bewulsteten Helm mit rechts blau-silbernen und links blau-goldenen Helmdecken, ein rot bewehrter, stehender, silberner Storch mit schwarzen Schwungfedern, in der erhobenen Rechten drei goldene Weizenähren mit Halm haltend.”

In English:

“Shield: Azure, an eagle’s wing terminating in a hand Argent holding three wheat stalks fesswise reversed Or, bound at the wrist by a shackle with a broken chain proper, in chief three mullets Or.

Mantling: Azure doubled per pale Or and Argent.

Crest: A stork close Argent armed and membered Gules, flight feathers Sable, holding in its dexter talon three wheat stalks Or.”

Since its creation, my coat of arms has been interpreted by various artists, each bringing their own unique perspective while adhering to the blazon’s specifications. One notable rendition is the emblazon created by heraldic artist Vadym Burla, shown below.

© 2023 Vadym Burla. All rights reserved.

In Germany, heraldic tradition takes a more democratic approach. Unlike some countries where heraldry is strictly regulated, Germany allows individuals the freedom to assume their own coats of arms. Several respected organizations, including HEROLD, maintain registries such as Die Deutsche Wappenrolle. I am currently working with HEROLD to register my coat of arms and establish clear guidelines for its future use and inheritance.