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Heraldry is the study and profession of coats of arms. The word Heraldry comes from the Anglo-Norma word ~herald~. The word was usually used to mean all the responsibilities and duties of an officer of arms; today, however, Heraldry is the joyous practice of compiling, designing, and describing coats of arms and heraldic badges.
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Evidence of Heraldry goes as far back as ancient Egypt. Ancient warriors often decorated their shields with patterns and mythological motifs. These symbols could be used to identify the warriors when their faces were obscured by helmets. Army units of the Roman Empire were identified by the distinctive markings on their shields. These were not heraldic in the medieval and modern sense, as they were associated with units, not individuals or families.
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Once started the trend, Heraldry picked up in many other countries apart from Western Europe. Inevitably thus, Heraldry developed differently in different countries. The most prominent styles were (and are) the Germanic style, the Dutch style, the Latin (comprising Italy, France,Spain and Portugal) style, the Gallo-British Heraldry style and Central and Eastern European heraldry styles.
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Heraldry research is abundant in modern days via the Internet, institutes, study groups, societies
Heraldic societies abound in Africa, Asia, Australasia, the Americas, and Europe. Heraldry aficionados participate in the Society for Creative Anachronism, medieval revivals, micronationalism, et cetera. People see heraldry as a part of their national and personal heritages, and as a manifestation of civic and national pride. Today, heraldry is not a worldly expression of aristocracy, merely a form of identification.[60]
Military heraldry continues developing, incorporating blazons unknown in the medieval world. Nations and their subdivisions — provinces, states, counties, cities, etc. — continue building upon the traditions of civic heraldry. The Roman Catholic Church, the Church of England, and other Churches maintain the tradition of ecclesiastical heraldry for their high-rank prelates, religious orders, universities, and schools.
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