Design, Composition, and Symbol of Heraldry in Medieval Europe: Focusing on University Heraldry and Guild Heraldry

This study analyzes the principles of composition and symbolic meanings of university heraldry and guild heraldry in medieval Europe based on the concept of Thick Discription of Clifford Geertz, a champion of symbolic anthropology. Thick Discription is one of methodologies of cultural studies that helps to demonstrate cultural symbols and signs in the context used. It enables to elucidate complex conceptual structures, many of them superimposed on or knotted into one another, which are strange, inconstant and concealed. We will infer how medieval heraldry as a symbolic sign influences modern visual culture, especially symbol marks because modern university symbols and corporate logos have been rooted in medieval university heraldry and guild heraldry respectively. This paper provides useful academic materials that visual designers and design researchers can refer to.