Template:Coat of arms/doc

Usage
This template enables simple and orderly use of heraldry to identify armigers (e.g. territories, persons or organisations) in Wikipedia, for example in lists, on maps or in outline templates.

For non-heraldic emblems, Template:Seal may be used.

To see the Coat of arms list and for updates, click the toolbar Edit tab.

Background: Appropriate use of heraldry
Heraldic emblems – typically coats of arms, also referred to as arms – have since the Middle Ages been used to represent or identify personal/geographical entities, preceding flags for such use by several centuries. Moreover, heraldic emblems have traditionally also been preferred to vexillological designs for representation on any physical medium other than actual fluttering banners, i.e. fixed surfaces such as paintings, paper, carved wood, metal, masonry, leather, stone or stained glass. Note that heraldic emblems may also be displayed on fabric; either as embroidered arms or as a tabard.

Example I
Would produce:

Example II

 * See: Template:Heraldic map of the European Union

Would produce: 

Principles for consistency and visibility
Based on conventional heraldic practice, the following premise ensures a meaningful degree of uniformity and distinctiveness of the motifs even at low resolutions (20 pixels is the default width):

I: Escutcheons exclusively
All elements of achievement save the indispensable escutcheon are omitted.

E.g. for Belgium, is shown instead of more elaborate variants such as  or.

Similarly, for Austria: is shown instead of.

II: Unmarshalled versions preferred
When an escutcheon has multiple variants, the one with least marshalling, i.e. the simplest or lesser, is employed.

E.g. for Sweden, is shown instead of the following quartered variant:.

Similarly, for Liechtenstein: is shown instead of.