Armoria
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Themes – human and near-human figures

To learn more about the arms illustrated, click on the images.

Human figures don’t often appear in coats of arms, and when they do they are usually not shown in skin tones. Also found in heraldry are near-human figures like angels and mermaids. Perhaps the most athletic figure currently in Armoria is the one of a discus thrower (in silver) in the arms of Alexander Road High School. An equestrian statue is the crest of Rhodes University – the statue, titled Physical Energy, was a favourite of the university’s benefactor, Cecil John Rhodes. Also on horseback is the figure of Wolraad Woltemade, who appears in the arms of the town of Woodstock with his steed, Vonk.

discus thrower in the arms of Alexander Road High Schoolequestrian statue Physical Energy in the crest of Rhodes UniversityWolraad Woltemade and his horse, Vonk, in the arms of Woodstock

When South Africa adopted a new coat of arms in 2000, the shield bore two human figures, men of the Bushman race.

Bushmen in the arms of South Africa (2000)

The emblematic figure of Hope is a recurring theme in Cape heraldry, and is dealt with in more depth in this article. She is found most notably in the crest of the Cape Colony/Province and the dexter supporter of the arms of Cape Town.

the lady Hope in the crest of the Cape Provincethe lady Hope as dexter supporter in the arms of Cape Town

Saints (with haloes around their heads) are often found in ecclesiastical heraldry. St Mary’s Cathedral in Port Elizabeth shows the Virgin holding the infant Jesus (also haloed), St Michael’s Church, Observatory, has the Archangel Michael killing the dragon, and the Diocese of Mthatha shows St John the Evangelist.

the Virgin Mary in the arms of Port Elizabeth’s Anglican cathedralthe Archangel Michael in the arms of St Michael’s Church, ObservatorySt John the Evangelist in the arms of the Diocese of Mthatha

Pagan deities are uncommon in South African heraldry, but the Roman goddess Minerva (patron of wisdom) appeared in the arms of the Transvaal University College (on one of its two shields) and is now in the arms of Stellenbosch University.

Minerva in the arms of the Transvaal University CollegeMinerva in the arms of Stellenbosch University

While in the Bible cherubim are fearful heavenly beings, they have been familiarised as childlike figures with wings, called cherubs. Warren Morris has one for his crest.

cherub crest of Warren Morris

Human figures often appear as supporters. An unusual pair, because they are seated and facing outwards, are those of Avicenna (the Persian Abu ’Ali al-’usayn ibn ’Abd Allah ibn Sina) and Galen (GalhnoV), supporting the arms of the Pharmaceutical Society of South Africa.

AvicennaGalen

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Comments, queries: Mike Oettle