SYMBOLISM AND HERALDRY
Symbolism is when one image or word stands for, or represents, something else. A good example of this is
the American flag. You probably see the flag every day, but here is an image of it if you need a reminder:
The flag stands for the United States of America, but each of its pieces stands for something else, too.
1. There are 50 stars for each state in the United States and 13 stripes for the 13 original colonies.
2. The color red stands for valor and bravery.
3. The color blue stands for vigilance, perseverance, and justice
4. The color white stands for purity and innocence.
The 45th Infantry division had its own symbol as well, its shoulder patch. Every unit in the US Army has a
shoulder patch to identify it. This is the 45th Infantry’s patch:
The shoulder patch stands for the 45th Infantry, but
each of its parts stand for something as well.
1. The yellow symbol is a Thunderbird. A
Thunderbird is an American Indian symbol
for power and strength
2. The 45th Infantry was originally a National
Guard unit drawn from Colorado, Arizona,
Oklahoma, and Texas. Each of the four sides
of the patch represents one of those four
states.
3. Red is a symbol of bravery and valor.
4. Yellow is a symbol of warmth or energy.
Below is a list of colors and symbols, and what they mean. Use this list to create your own shoulder patch
for yourself, your classroom, your school, or your family.
Colors:
Symbols:
Silver / White: truth, sincerity, peace, innocence
Acorn: independence and strength
and purity.
Dog: courage, loyalty
Gold: wisdom, generosity, glory, constancy and
Dragon: valiant, powerful, fearsome
faith.
Deer: peace and harmony
Black: wisdom, grief, constancy and prudence.
Wolf: tough, hard working
Green: Signifies abundance, joy, hope and
Horse: readiness
loyalty.
Raven: intelligence, cunning
Blue: Signifies loyalty, truth, strength and faith.
Tree: life
Red: military strength, warrior and martyr.
Book: knowledge, wisdom
temperance,
and
royalty.
If Purple:
you don’t
find a syboljustice,
you like,
you
can find more symbols at the American College of Heraldry website,
here: http://www.americancollegeofheraldry.org/achsymbols.html
Orange/Yellow: ambition, wealth, power, the
sun.
MY SHOULDER PATCH