A website dedicated to Heraldry - COADB.COM

Today we have guest blogger: John Lehman.  Vexillologists tend to tilt content towards flag issues.  But vexillology is more than just the study of flags.  It includes ribbons, badges, logos, trademarks, awards, ceremonial staffs, and even totem poles.  And most importantly the subject of heraldry.  But most dictionaries and people think vexillology only pertains to the flags, nope, vexillology even includes gangsta' symbols.  Without further to a do, presenting...

 John Lehman of the Coats & Arms Online Heraldry Database   

Intricate and Detailed Coats of Arms from Lehman's website Coadb.com

Online shops that sell “family crests” and coats of arms are a dime a dozen and are very controversial. Most heraldry wonks do not support the commercial use of coats of arms because, technically speaking, in most instances, arms only belong to the individuals to which they were granted. Unfortunately, the average customer isn’t aware of the intricacies of heraldry and can be duped into purchasing their “family crest” printed on t-shirts, mugs, or anything elese from unscrupulous shop owners.

There is one website out there that is different: Coadb.com.  As it name states, it aims to be a database of coats of arms and hopes to have every arms (millions of them) ever granted to an individual person. It shows a nice thumbnail of the arms, states what the blazon is, and states the source of the blazon (ex. Burke’s General Armory or Rietstap’s Armorial General). The arms can also be purchased on products, but Coadb.com attempts to be more honest with its customers by telling them that there is no such thing as a family crest and purchasing the arms does not entitle them to its official use. It also does not condone the dubious practice of using many spelling variants of one surname. For example, some websites will take the Lemon Coat of Arms and change the name to Lehman, which insinuates to the customer that both surnames have the same arms, which is not true. Stores that utilize this practice are called “bucket shops” and do this to boost their sales. Coadb.com does not do this.

Further, Coadb.com depicts the crest and supporters, whereas most other shops only offer the shield. Lastly, Coadb.com makes its arms available for sale on 85 products, which is more than most other heraldry shops. Check them out. They only have 8,200 arms, but they add more each month, and they take requests for surnames!


Coadb.com

Vexilloids in Girls Just Want to Have Fun Video - 1985

Cyndi Lauper's Ship with Ankh #3340 circa 1985, Girls Just Want to Have Fun

In 1985 Cyndi Lauper's song Girls Just Want to Have Fun hit the airwaves in the heart of the 1980s.  Beating a power vibe of fun, dance, and friendship... like the power of love, this song can take people back to 1985.  Its positive uplifting lyrics were enhanced by its creative video, that included everyone and all types of persons at all economic levels.

The most vexillologically significant item is the emblem on the ship.  Central emblems on classic sailing ships often functioned like flags.  In our case here with Lauper, the emblem is the ancient Egyptian Ankh with five 'stars' above, and a crown on the crest.

Even North America's premiere vexillological journal is entitled The Raven, which is based upon the fact that Vikings first landed on the shores of North America at the first millennium.   This makes the Vikings the first, real Millennials.  So in objective truth, the current generational cohort of so called Millennials should really be called Second Place Millennials, Bi-Millennials, Di-Millenials or Millennial-Squared? Maybe?

However there is no concrete evidence that a Viking Ship with a raven upon its main sail ever landed on North America.  Nonetheless the symbol of the Raven has become the chosen symbol and name of the top scholarly journal of the world dedicated to Vexillology. A fact based upon total speculative fiction.

Not just for girls...as a Bigoted Sexist Gender-nista' would have it!  In the video, boys are also empowered to fun and joy under the guidance of Cyndi's special kind of grace.  Also note, aliens are included too, as a Conehead with sunglasses appears dancing at the end.

Cyndi's Dots 1985

A final unique and original vexilloid, of sorts, is a camera cover-merge prop that segments the high tech 80s bubble pop graphics to Cyndi watching an old black and white television.   The vexilloid has a white background, red poke-a-dots and wooden handle.

Vexiloids in Cam'Ron Girls Featuring Mona Lisa Video

A banner behind the bar can be seen. It is white with purple cursive writing. Sizzrup is kind of a mystery alcoholic drink.  Basically it's adult grape flavored alcohol.  Something like a Margarita or Long Island Ice Tea but a little more intense.  Some people call it plain old 'Stupid Juice.'   

Sizzurp is not a brand name, at least not yet.  Here the rapper, Cam'Ron, is seen with a Sizzurp shirt written in purple on white.   But note the purple sunset in this video just makes so much sense.  Nonetheless, this song is a sweet and smooth reboot of a Cyndi Lauper's Girls Just Want to Have Fun 1985. 

US Flag in Duran Duran's Music Video - Rio 1982

In the upper left corner is the flag of the USA on the yacht with the blue cover

 As the eyes of the world are forced to turn their attention to Rio, Brazil for the 2016 Olympics, it only makes sense to talk about Duran Duran's 1982 smash hit Rio.  No doubt Duran Duran will do a remake of the song, or maybe a hip hop artist will sample bits here and there for a R&B Rio remix dance number?  If they don't do this, they really miss the boat. No better yet, have Tay Sway and her gang sing Rio? Or maybe a grunge Pearl Jam version of Rio.  No doubt radio will play up this number.

A similar thing happened to Prince when the year 1999 came around with his 1999 song that aired in 1982, along with Rio.

Barely noticeable is the US flag on the yacht in the background.  Two other flags can be seen on the main mast of the Rio sailing ship in the background.










 

Livery of Michael Jackson's School in Thriller 1982

Interest in zombies waxes and wanes, currently it is in a sustained full bloom.  By the year 2022, the zombie thrill is sure to enter another waning phase.  But back in 1982, Michael Jackson made this ugly-yet lovable play with the afterlife a key note in his legacy.

Thriller 1982 was an epic video for its time, as its production value cracked the glass ceiling.  But a meeting of art, music, and video put this song and video in the charmed class of Some Where Over the Rainbow epics. 
 

 Of vexillological note the livery of Jackson's fictional school can be seen.  It is red and gold.  The name of the school obviously begins with an M.  But we never hear its name.  Who knows?


Also the Thriller Marquee is a strange triple edged device that playfully refers to a movie, video, and song.

US Flag in Land of Confusion Video by Genesis 1986

The US flag makes an appearance in the video Land of Confusion 1986 by Genesis.  When a dinosaur makes President Regan sit in a chair and watch TV, various channels are flipped through.  During the shot of President Nixon with Checkers, the US flag can be seen being raised.

This video captures the feels of the 1980s in a nutshell.  So much would change and so many of the puppet people are now faded into the mist.  Still, a classic video.

Clayton, New Jersey Township Seal...Too Religious?

Something of a small issue has arisen on the township seal of Clayton, New Jersey.  It has been accused of being too religious due to the motto including the words "pray" and a Church.  But this controversy really is moot.  Imagine if your local of state seal featured Pagan Gods?  Like Zeus, Pan, or Osiris?  Well...the New Jersey state seal and state flag feature Pagan Goddesses: the Goddess Ceres and Goddess Libertas.

Also the state seal and flag of Louisiana features the heraldic Pelican of Christ.  The flag and seal of Utah features a Mormon symbol - the beehive.  Finally the flag of Hawaii features the crosses of St. George, St. Andrew, and St. Patrick!  Like it or not Christianity is ingrained in American Culture at the very roots.  Even the Liberty Bell quotes from the "Original Testament, Leviticus 25:10."