Hunt Family Heraldic Achievement
Concept, Design and Development3 Pass Woodblock Print
2010 - 2012
BLAZON
Arms
Per Pall Inverted Or, Gules, Sable; six arrows over a bow palewise Gules; three heads of barley two hops cones and a leaf bound palewise Or; and an Owl wings Addorsed and inverted Or, in its Dexter talons a Snail of the same.
Crest
On a wreath of the colors issuant from a coronet set above the rim with fleur-de-lis Or, a rack of stag antlers Sable.
Motto
DHome Again, Home Again
Development Process
A Few Academic Notes :
Heraldry is the system, study, and cataloguing of the Armorial Achievement, also commonly referred to as a Coat of Arms. Within this study are numerous rules and systems that facilitate consistency and design practice.
The term Blazon refers to the specific language used to record the design of a coat of arms in writing; the idea being that anyone versed in Heraldry can read the Blazon, and accurately depict the intended design.
Although I have worked to understand and follow the systems and terminology, its current form has not been verified as accurate by an expert. Consider it a working draft, to be officially finalized at some point in the future. But for now, its good enough!
I got pretty geeked out on all this stuff, so if you’d like to know more about the design process I’d be happy to chat about it. Here’s a few above terms translated...
Per Pall Inverted = Shield divided by an upside down Y
Or = Gold | Gules = Red | Sable = Black
Palewise = pointing diagonally up to the right (shield holder POV)
Addorsed and inverted = outstretched behind the body pointing down
Dexter = right (shield holder POV)
Issuant = emerging from
Heraldry is the system, study, and cataloguing of the Armorial Achievement, also commonly referred to as a Coat of Arms. Within this study are numerous rules and systems that facilitate consistency and design practice.
The term Blazon refers to the specific language used to record the design of a coat of arms in writing; the idea being that anyone versed in Heraldry can read the Blazon, and accurately depict the intended design.
Although I have worked to understand and follow the systems and terminology, its current form has not been verified as accurate by an expert. Consider it a working draft, to be officially finalized at some point in the future. But for now, its good enough!
I got pretty geeked out on all this stuff, so if you’d like to know more about the design process I’d be happy to chat about it. Here’s a few above terms translated...
Per Pall Inverted = Shield divided by an upside down Y
Or = Gold | Gules = Red | Sable = Black
Palewise = pointing diagonally up to the right (shield holder POV)
Addorsed and inverted = outstretched behind the body pointing down
Dexter = right (shield holder POV)
Issuant = emerging from
SYMBOLISM
Arms
The bow and arrows are a basic instrument of the activity hunting; an allusion to the family name. The 6 arrows represent each of the 6 children born to Joseph [Hunt]. Red is the color of blood, which may be spilled in a hunt. This is set against a backdrop of gold, representing pride in the children and the family.
The barley and hops are the base ingredients for “The Elixir of the Gods”; also commonly known as beer. Joseph has had a lifelong passion for the brew, which all of his children know well. Fields of barley are often poetically described as gold, and the drink itself often shines of this color. This is set against a backdrop of red for emotional intensity, as a subtle reminder that alcohol can bring a darker side.
The owl has several layers of symbolic meaning. First, all owls are predators (i.e. hunters; another allusion to the family name). Second, they are traditionally associated with wisdom, often literary. Joseph was a librarian for most of his career. Third, it is a nocturnal creature. Most of the Hunt’s have shown this tendency.
The snail alludes to slowness, tardiness, and procrastination; qualities most of the Hunt’s have wrestled with in some form. It has been snatched up into the owl’s talons, showing that with vigilance these habits can be overcome.
Gold is used to represent richness and wealth of knowledge. All this set against black; amplifying the nocturnal qualities of the Owl, as well as representing authority and a stoic nature.
Crest
The coronet (i.e. headpiece) is fashioned after the crown of St. Louis, as seen on the bronze sculpture at the St. Louis Art Museum. It is made of “fleur-de-lis”, which can be seen throughout the city as a design element, alluding to its French origins.
Deer are plentiful all throughout the city, and Missouri at large. The antlers of which are the de-facto trophy of a successful hunt, yet another allusion to the family name.
Motto
At the end of many a family vacation, upon returning home after hours of driving on the road it became a tradition to exclaim in unison “Home Again, Home Again”!!! What a fun and satisfying way to end the family trip together.