Donald Ryan Larson Shield of Arms

Donald Ryan Larson of Spokane, Washington

Blazon: Per fess fir-twigged Or and Azure in chief two tomahawks in saltire and in base Thor's hammer inverted all counterchanged.

Donald Ryan Larson

Armorial Design Questions for Clients

As an aspiring heraldist attempting to help someone design a coat of arms, do you wonder what the best questions to ask might be? Robert Blackard of the American Heraldry Society inspired me to think about this question.

After a few moments contemlation I came up with the following list of queries to achieve a design starting place:

1. Would you like to attempt a cant on your surname?
2. What is your favorite color (among the available tinctures)?
3. What is your favorite metal (among the available tinctures)?
4. Would you like to include other colors/metals or are two tinctures enough?
5. Is there a symbol or animal which alludes to your profession, ideals, religion, philosophy, identity, etc., which you would like to impress upon your descendants?
6. Is there an event which you feel marked your life which you would like to symbolize.
7. Do you want to incorporate a nod to ancestors or relatives in your arms?
8. Have you seen existing arms which you would like yours to be vaguely similar to?

Do these questions serve well enough? What additional questions do you think might be appropriate?