The coat of arms of Christopher Edwards, from New South Wales, Australia, designed by him, refined and emblazoned by me.
Blazon: Party per fess: 1 Azure, an acorn leaved and slipped Or, between two ravens addorsed and regardant Argent; 2 Vert, a stag’s massacre Or.
Crest: Upon a helm lined Purpure with a wreath Or and Azure, a comedy mask bendwise Vert conjoined in fess with a tragedy mask bend sinisterwise Azure.
Mantling: Azure doubled Or.
Supporters: Upon two bunches of grapes Purpure, leaved Vert, and slipped Or, one on each side, two cats rampant Argent in the dexter and Sable in the sinister. Motto: «Si non rides, flebis».
Design rationale: These arms were created for Christopher Edwards from New South Wales, Australia, drawing elements from the coat of arms of the Irish Richard Edwards of Old Court (Ess.). The lower field inherits the vert and the stag or armed argent from the ancestral lineage, which in this version evolves into a stag’s massacre or. The three eagles in the chief of the original Edwards arms transform into two ravens representing his German and Danish mother, also his favourite birds. The ravens flank the acorn, a symbol of growth and prosperity. The stag’s massacre in base references the Edwards lineage and represents defence and noble blood. The crest features comedy and tragedy masks conjoined, reflecting the inseparable duality of life. The mantling displays bunches of grapes derived from Christopher’s nickname «Grapes», symbolizing a personal identity woven throughout the coat of arms; these same bunches later serve as the base for the cat supporters, argent and sable, embodying balance through contrast. Green, Christopher’s favourite colour and the colour of his eyes, also appears in the ancestral Edwards arms; its presence runs throughout the design as a tribute to his time in the military. The motto «Si non rides, flebis» «If you do not laugh, you will cry» reflects a philosophy of choosing joy over sorrow.