Heraldic Beasts?

[Bugbear]

shoulders

Thanks Mike, but I think I should probably pass on the offer. If you have a public domain depiction or picture of a leaping or rearing zebra I could use as my avatar, I would be interested in that, though.

I don't have a grudge against coats of arms.

From the American Heraldry Society "Guidelines for Heraldic Practice in the United States" (Introduction, sect. 1.1):
"Note: Many systems of personal, family, and group symbolism which are more or less comparable to heraldry also developed in non-European cultures. These
systems are usually subject to their own customary rules and are not covered in these guidelines."

It is a graphic, symbolic representation of oneself like a name, and there are other systems for that in the U.S. I also sensed something from some of the armigers of the forum... Something a little like opening the oven door to check if the biscuits are done. I should pay attention to that...

As far as supporters etc., it understandably discourages the use of those symbols in the U.S. (2.2.1.1).

[Mike_Oettle]

Hi, Bugbear –
by now I had hoped to be able to send you an image of a shield with a zebra on it – actually a demi-zebra issuant – but I have been unable to access the old files on my CDs or even use my home computer for the past few days.
The shield is the emblem of a South African military unit (one of the now defunct commandos), but all it would need would be a change of colour to make it uniquely yours.
As for there being other systems of personal recognition in the US – there are other systems of personal recognition in various countries, but none quite has the cachet that heraldry has, nor the chameleon-like ability to reinvent itself and come up with new unique designs.
None, that is, with the exception of the Japanese mon system, and that is distinguished from heraldry by the fact that it does not use fixed colours – the owner of a mon can present his (her) emblem in a variety of colours.
The Canadian Heraldic Authority has even granted arms to a Canadian of Japanese descent that incorporates a mon.
There are a good number of people who deal in fake arms, and it is against these that the armigers bear a particular grudge.
But while some are snobbish enough to insist that arms absolutely have to be substantive (to use Rathdown’s word), many recognise that, especially in countries like yours and like mine, there is still room for experiment on the part of those who do not wish to ape existing arms.
Regards,
Mike