Personal series of illustration. The main idea was to create an interpretation that would be based on general elements of coats of arms. The illustration has been made according to the description and historical references.
This is part two of the project HERBARIY: The interpretation of countries' coats of arms. The project was inspired by song An Open Letter To Myself by Architects and the title of the project is taken from the song. Hope this illustration experiment will be to your liking.
This compilation dedicated to countries that I want to visit someday.
GERMANY
DESCRIPTION: 'The coat of arms of Germany displays a black eagle (the Bundesadler "Federal Eagle", formerly Reichsadler "Imperial Eagle") on a yellow shield (Or, an eagle displayed sable).'
Information from Wikipedia
ICELAND
DESCRIPTION: 'The coat of arms of Iceland displays a silver-edged, red cross on blue shield (blazoned: Azure, on a cross argent a cross gules.). This alludes to the design of the Icelandic flag. The supporters are the four protectors ofIceland (landvættir) standing on a pahoehoe lava block. The bull (Griðungur) is the protector of southwestern Iceland, the eagle or griffin (Gammur) protects northwestern Iceland, the dragon (Dreki) protects the northeastern part, and the rock-giant (Bergrisi) is the protector of southeastern Iceland. Great respect was given to these creatures of Iceland, so much that there was a law during the time of the Vikings that no shipshould bear grimacing symbols (most often dragonheads on the bow of the ship) when approaching Iceland. This was so the protectors would not be provoked unnecessarily.'
Information from Wikipedia
UNITED STATES
DESCRIPTION: 'The obverse of the great seal is used as the national coat of arms of the United States. It is officially used on documents such as United States passports, military insignia, embassy placards, and various flags.
...
'The design on the obverse (or front) of the seal is the coat of arms of the United States. The supporter of the shield is a bald eagle with its wings outstretched (or "displayed," in heraldic terms). From the eagle's perspective, it holds a bundle of 13 arrows in its left talon, (referring to the 13 original states), and an olive branch in its right talon, together symbolizing that the United States has "a strong desire for peace, but will always be ready for war." (see Olive Branch Petition). Although not specified by law, the olive branch is usually depicted with 13 leaves and 13 olives, again representing the 13 original states. The eagle has its head turned towards the olive branch, on its right side, said to symbolize a preference for peace. Over its head there appears a "glory" with 13 mullets (stars) on a blue field.
+
MOTTO: 'E pluribus unum' (Out of Many, One).
Information from Wikipedia
UNITED KINGDOM
DESCRIPTION: The shield is quartered, depicting in the first and fourth quarters the three passant guardant lions of England; in the second, the rampant lion and double tressure flory-counterflory of Scotland; and in the third, a harp for Ireland. The crest is a statant guardant lion wearing the St Edward's Crown, himself on another representation of that crown. The dexter supporter is a likewise crowned English lion; the sinister, a Scottish unicorn. According to legend a free unicorn was considered a very dangerous beast; therefore the heraldic unicorn is chained, as were both supporting unicorns in the Royal coat of arms of Scotland. In the greenery below, a thistle, Tudor Rose and shamrock are present, representing Scotland, England and Ireland respectively.
+
MOTTO: The motto of English monarch, 'Dieu et mon droit' (God and my right).
ICELAND, UNITED STATES, UNITED KINGDOM / Prints coming soon
THANKS FOR WATCHING!
