Coat of Arms with a Lion and Unicorn c. 1480 - 1490

This is Master HW’s "Coat of Arms with a Lion and Unicorn" created sometime between the 15th and 16th centuries. Heraldry emerged from the cultural and political landscape of medieval Europe, a visual language of power that spoke to lineage, land, and loyalty. Consider how the artist uses potent symbols such as the lion, traditionally representing courage and nobility, and the unicorn, a symbol of purity and grace. These symbols reflect society’s values and aspirations. Often, the images included in coats of arms were associated with a family’s history, or stories. The gendered connotations of these heraldic symbols, where traits like bravery were coded as masculine and purity as feminine, invite us to reflect on the social expectations of the time. As you consider the artwork’s place in history, also reflect on your own connection to symbols, and how they shape contemporary identity and belonging.