Greek heraldry
Encyclopedia
Greek heraldry, though not as developed as in other countries, has a rather interesting history in and of itself by drawing upon it Byzantine
heritage and influences from the various western powers that have occupied
Greek lands. Heraldry
is therefore seen as a foreign concept, and is widespread mostly in the Ionian and Aegean Islands (former Venetian and Genova
possessions) and among the families of Phanariot origin
Ancient Greeks were among the first civilizations to use symbols consistently in order to identify a warrior, clan or a state. In Aescylus’ tragedy “Seven Against Thebes” there is the first record of a shield blazon.
Strange to modern mind is the sentiment which Sir Walter Scott put into the mouth of Di Vernon “What! Is it possible? Not know the figures of Heraldry! Of what could your father be thinking?” In an age when education is directed to subjects of more obvious utility, the gentle science cannot expect to find a place, unless some enlightened art or history master shall introduce it to likely students as something worth of attention.
Heraldry is a bit misunderstood science. One of the main reasons is that membership of the gentry or nobility and bearing arms have often seen as being synonymous with each other.
Heraldry is a form of symbolism. Its an adopting-like ability to incorporate emblems, symbols and colours from diverse cultures gives it an adaptability that no other system of recognition can offer. The word ‘heraldry’ is based on the Germanic word ‘harja-waldaz’ which means “army commander.” It means the person who announce an advancing army, or could identify its main components
Goals
The Greek Heraldry Society is a social and cultural non profit organization established in 2009. Their main goal is to contribute to the increasing interest in the Hellenic heraldic history, Byzantine Etiquette and ultimately to provide its members with a forum to pursue matters of common interest.
Accomplishments
The Greek Heraldry Society has posted numerous articles and coat of arms of old Greek families never seen in colour before along with genealogy interest information over the last two years. Most have been sponsored solely by Greek Heraldry Society while other have been held in cooperation with other societies and organizations.
Activities
Greek Heraldry Society sponsors or organizes educational programs or events each year, from lectures on very specific genealogical or heraldry interest topics related to Greece with the main purpose to project the history and culture, while it is constantly researching genealogical profiles. In the near future their aim is to sponsors annual social gatherings to bring its members together, from across the world.
Byzantine Empire
The Byzantine Empire was the Eastern Roman Empire during the periods of Late Antiquity and the Middle Ages, centred on the capital of Constantinople. Known simply as the Roman Empire or Romania to its inhabitants and neighbours, the Empire was the direct continuation of the Ancient Roman State...
heritage and influences from the various western powers that have occupied
Frangokratia
The Frankokratia or Frangokratia , also known as Latinokratia is the period in Greek history after the Fourth Crusade , when a number of Western European Crusader states were established in Greece, on the territory of the dissolved Byzantine Empire .The term derives from the fact that Orthodox...
Greek lands. Heraldry
Heraldry
Heraldry is the profession, study, or art of creating, granting, and blazoning arms and ruling on questions of rank or protocol, as exercised by an officer of arms. Heraldry comes from Anglo-Norman herald, from the Germanic compound harja-waldaz, "army commander"...
is therefore seen as a foreign concept, and is widespread mostly in the Ionian and Aegean Islands (former Venetian and Genova
Republic of Venice
The Republic of Venice or Venetian Republic was a state originating from the city of Venice in Northeastern Italy. It existed for over a millennium, from the late 7th century until 1797. It was formally known as the Most Serene Republic of Venice and is often referred to as La Serenissima, in...
possessions) and among the families of Phanariot origin
Ancient Greeks were among the first civilizations to use symbols consistently in order to identify a warrior, clan or a state. In Aescylus’ tragedy “Seven Against Thebes” there is the first record of a shield blazon.
Strange to modern mind is the sentiment which Sir Walter Scott put into the mouth of Di Vernon “What! Is it possible? Not know the figures of Heraldry! Of what could your father be thinking?” In an age when education is directed to subjects of more obvious utility, the gentle science cannot expect to find a place, unless some enlightened art or history master shall introduce it to likely students as something worth of attention.
Heraldry is a bit misunderstood science. One of the main reasons is that membership of the gentry or nobility and bearing arms have often seen as being synonymous with each other.
Heraldry is a form of symbolism. Its an adopting-like ability to incorporate emblems, symbols and colours from diverse cultures gives it an adaptability that no other system of recognition can offer. The word ‘heraldry’ is based on the Germanic word ‘harja-waldaz’ which means “army commander.” It means the person who announce an advancing army, or could identify its main components
Goals
The Greek Heraldry Society is a social and cultural non profit organization established in 2009. Their main goal is to contribute to the increasing interest in the Hellenic heraldic history, Byzantine Etiquette and ultimately to provide its members with a forum to pursue matters of common interest.
Accomplishments
The Greek Heraldry Society has posted numerous articles and coat of arms of old Greek families never seen in colour before along with genealogy interest information over the last two years. Most have been sponsored solely by Greek Heraldry Society while other have been held in cooperation with other societies and organizations.
Activities
Greek Heraldry Society sponsors or organizes educational programs or events each year, from lectures on very specific genealogical or heraldry interest topics related to Greece with the main purpose to project the history and culture, while it is constantly researching genealogical profiles. In the near future their aim is to sponsors annual social gatherings to bring its members together, from across the world.
See also
- The Greek Royal Heraldry 1863-1967
- Byzantine heraldryByzantine heraldryFor most of its history, the Byzantine Empire did not know or use heraldry in the West European sense. Various emblems were used in official occasions and for military purposes, such as banners or shields displaying various motifs such as the cross or the labarum...