Heraldry in the Modern Era
Heraldry is the ultimate symbol of the nobility as it marked them as being more prestige than compared to others in society. While during the medieval period a coat of arms was only advocated to members of nobility today any person can find their own family crest be it on the internet or through archives. This relaxed policy regarding coat of arms was due, in part, from shift in power from the noble class to the newly forming “middling class” that would become rich, in some cases even having more wealth than the nobility. This wealth would come from a rise in artisan products and the start of an early industry careers.
When these members of the “middling class” began to pick up wealth and power they wanted to emulate the prestige and class of the nobility, and when heraldry was open up that popular they would use it as a means to gain power and express that power. Effigy, or monuments in medieval churches started appearing in the early 16th century that would feature prominent members of the middle class who had become powerful through means other than having a noble title (Llewellyn 180). |
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Use of Heraldry in Sports
While the symbolism of having a coat of arms is gone, the practical use of color and pictures to distinguish friend and foe is still seen in the 21st century. It is seen in the world of sports. Every sports team is their own walking and breathing coat of arms. Ever sports teams have their own color, symbol and even mascots that is unique to their own team and no two teams are the same. Fans have taken up the colors of their cities or schools, and watch their 'warriors' battle their opponents.
The unique culture of sports jersey has the same arch as banners and shields during the medieval period. In their essence, shields and heraldry were used to tell friend from foe and that is seen today in how opposing teams have two sets of jerseys, their home jerseys and their away jerseys. And just like armor or heraldry there is an evolution of sports equiment and portective clothing. From football having no padding or protective equipment in the 1930's to today NFL standards requiring all players to be properly dressed in protective equipment and padding (NFL Uniform History). Back to Top |
Kamon in the Modern Era
During the Edo period (1603-1867) when the use and construction of kamon was being codified, commoners were not permitted to have family crests. This changed during the Meiji Restoration period when the common class began to use surnames. (Stone Bridge, 17). That is not to say that crests had not already spread to the peasant, artisan, and merchant classes during the Edo period. While medieval Europe had a boom when it came to presence of heraldry, Japan’s influence when it came to the mon was not as popular nor and important. Kamon, or mon as it is more commonly referred to as has had a different evolution in how this piece of symbolism is perceived today.
Mons would not become as popular until after the Heian period in Japan where they would shift from being seen as stamps of the royal family to special images that promoted the prestige of particular families in Japan. Western influence during the Meiji restoration resulted in the adoption of western dress. Today the imagery of the mons are mostly gone in Japanese culture, however, they are used in business and other avenues of industry to show the prestige and honor that a particular business or shop has (Stone Bridge).
Mons would not become as popular until after the Heian period in Japan where they would shift from being seen as stamps of the royal family to special images that promoted the prestige of particular families in Japan. Western influence during the Meiji restoration resulted in the adoption of western dress. Today the imagery of the mons are mostly gone in Japanese culture, however, they are used in business and other avenues of industry to show the prestige and honor that a particular business or shop has (Stone Bridge).
References
History of NFL Uniforms. Last updated October 2010. http://iml.jou.ufl.edu/projects/fall05/brownlee/thedecades.html
Llewellyn, Nigel. “Honour in Life, Death and in the Memory: Funeral Monuments in Early Modern England” Transactions of the Royal Historical Society 6, (1996): 179-200
Stone Bridge Press, Family Crests of Japan. Berkeley; Stone Bridge Press. 2007