The HIGH Family Association
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Arms of the HFA ... The HIGH Family Association Coat of Arms
The Armorial Bearings of the High Family Association are, properly emblazoned: Argent, on a cross throughout Gules, at fess point a Dogwood blossom Proper, on a chief arched Azure three estoiles Argent. Above the Shield is placed a Helmet with a Mantling Gules doubled Argent, and on a Wreath Argent and Gules is set for Crest, a griffin sejant Azure holding in the foreclaws a sun in its splendour Or, and in the Escrol below the Shield this Motto: "Aim High." Arms have been traditionally emblazoned in French but in more easily understandable English the description would be: A shield of silver, on which there is a red cross of Saint George with a Dogwood blossom drawn in lifelike fashion at the juncture of the arms of the cross. On the top one third of the shield is a blue band with three stars. The lower line of the band is arched upward. Above the shield is a helmet with "mantling" (the red and silver stylized cloth flowing from it on both sides) and a twisted "wreath" of the red and silver cloth. The crest of the Arms is a blue griffin, seated, that holds in his two forefeet a golden sun fully displayed (in "splendor"). Below the Armorial Bearings is the motto, "Aim High." The Arms contain many symbolic elements. The Cross of Saint George is both a Christian symbol and the symbol of England where it is most often seen on the British flag. Since Thomas High was an Englishman the cross of Saint George represents his origin. The Dogwood blossom is the floral symbol of Virginia and since Thomas came to Virginia that symbol, imposed on the cross, represents his destination. The Dogwood blossom, you may recall, is also a Christian symbol with the four petals representing the arms and legs of Christ pierced as He was crucified and with the golden center of the flower representing the crown of Christ. So, the main silver shield bears two symbols of England and Virginia that are also Christian symbols. The upper part of the shield has a blue section, a chief, with three stars in it. This represents the "high" portion of the arms since nothing is higher in our universe than stars. A chief usually is separated from the bottom two-thirds of the shield by a horizontal line. The arched line in the High Arms represents striving to reach high, to "reach the stars." The crest of the Arms is a griffin. The griffin is a mythological beast of great power. Indeed, in mythology the griffin is the most powerful of all animals. The griffin is a combination of a lion and an eagle. The lion is the animal symbol of England and the eagle is the animal symbol of American. Together they form an animal with the ability to fly high above the earth while possessing the regal qualities of the king of beast. The griffin, which is the crest in the High Family Association Arms, is holding a sun in all of its risen splendor. Since the sun is the highest visible part of our daytime solar system, and the highest source of our energy and light, is a fit symbol of "high" also. Arms are the artistic, heraldic, way an individual presents himself to the world. They are used as a visual identification of who a person is. The symbolism of acquired arms often tells the viewer something about the person who has arms. Arms are properly available both to individuals and corporations since a corporation acts in law as an individual. That is why one see so many colleges, churches, organizations and businesses display Arms in those countries where Arms are more often used. Since the High Family Association is a legal entity, incorporated under the laws of South Carolina, the Association is entitled to the use of arms. Corporate Arms can be used by anyone in the incorporation as a symbol of the association. They are a heraldic representation of the association. It is a common misconception that there are "family coats-of-arms." There are no family Coats-of-Arms, only Arms for an individual or for a corporation that acts in law as an individual. The fact that a person's Arms may be used by his children and their heirs, plus the fact that Arms are inherited and therefore may be used by members of his family over the years, has given rise to the popular misconception that arms can be used by anyone of a similar name. The inheritance of Arms follows the laws of primogeniture so a man who first receives Arms may very well have several sons who display the same Arms (with a small difference called "cadence" to show which of the sons - first, second, third, and so on - he is.) After several generations of this inheritance it is easy to see why people think of them as "family Arms." But, in truth only the direct descendants of the first original possessor of the Arms is eligible to use them. In the countries where arms are under the color of law such as England, Scotland, Belgium and Spain, it is more common to see Arms than in the United States where no law protects them (except copyright law) and where there is no issuing authority. In England, and other countries where arms have a legal standing, there is a regulating authority that oversees their issuance and their proper use. In England that authority is The College of Heralds and it operates under authority of the Queen. All arms in England are granted in her name. In countries where Arms are issued by a lawful authority, Arms are regulated and courts enforce their proper use and display. In the United States there is no governmental regulating authority for Arms and there is no court that enforces Arms law, as does the Court of Heraldry in England. The fact that law in the United States does not protect Arms has led to frequent misuse and misunderstanding. The American College of Heraldry located in Alabama is an organization that has, since the early 1970s, tried to fill the need of a proper heraldic authority in America. David Pitman Johnson, Ph.D., has put together a distinguished group of heraldic experts in the United States, in England and in Europe to help with heraldic matters in America. Plus, the College has assembled a very talented group of heraldic artists including some of the most famous and talented artists in England and North America. The American College of Heraldry tries to codify and collect the Arms of people and associations in the United States. The work of the Board of Directors of the American College is a true labor of love by people who are deeply interested in heraldry. Their services and artwork are made available to all for most modest fees. The American College serves as a place of registration of Arms for those who want to display them so as to avoid the problem of persons adopting and using Arms to which they may not be entitled. While they have no legal enforcement powers, they do serve as a recorder of Arms and a publisher of Arms in the hope that interested people will be able to see who is using which Arms and not duplicate them. The High Family Association has assumed Arms and asked the American College of Heraldry to record them. It is hoped that all members of the High Family Association will enjoy them and use them as a representation of the Association. |
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