The Achievement , A.K.A., the Coat-of-Arms

Many people throughout the world recognize the terminology Coat-of-Arms, but what they do not know is that it is officially called The Achievement. Achievements were an early designated, artistic representation of a King, or any ruler, and his kingdom. This artistic form is not as prominent as it was back before the Revolutionary war here in the United States of America. The United States of America used to have a bureau to designate such an insignia to a family with a particular surname, but as time progressed this art form became a lost art to most of the world. It seems that anyone who begins to research their family's history will eventually come across an Achievement and want to know more about it.

What one would call the coat-of-arms anymore really refers to the shield within the achievement. The shield is just a small part of the grand design. An achievement is composed of many parts. These parts are the crest, torse (wreath), helm (helmet), mantling, shield, supporter(s), compartment, and motto. Each of these parts can be an array of colors and designs thus yielding an enumerable variety of what they may look like. Just the coat-of arms can be designed in so many fashions.

Most achievements don't have the supporter(s) or compartment, and there are still more that don't even have a motto. To start from the ground up, you will first pick a motto that will represent either what you live by, or something that would describe you. Above the motto, and under the shield and supporter(s), is where you will find the compartment. The shield is usually in the center of the design, with the supporter(s) on one side or both. Resting on top of the shield is the helmet or helm as it is called in its blazon. Then on top of the helm is the torse, which as some call the wreath. Above the torse is the crest that has its own interpretation, and if a second motto is in the design, the second motto will be above the entire coat-of-arms.