Shropshire's Punning Heraldry - Vickers

 Vickers

Vickers, Rev. J. 

Arms: Ermine a cross double fourchy Argent charged with 5 mullets Gules.

The arms of the Reverend J. Vickers.

Is this a pun, of just descriptive arms? There may be a tenuous heraldic pun in this blazon, centring entirely on the unique style of the cross representing the first letter of the surname and of the whole achievement being based upon Christian symbolism representing the occupation of the bearer. 

We know that a standard cross fourchy (from the French fourché, meaning "forked") has limbs that split into two points like a tuning fork. A cross double fourchy means it is double-forked, resulting in four prongs at the end of each of the four limbs. In Latin and old legal documents, the number four is "Quattuor", but the Roman numeral is written as "IV". Visually, the four-pronged ends resemble a series of "V"s. Historically, the phonetic and written interplay between "V", the Roman numeral "IV" (Four/Fourchy). The cross is charged with 5 mullets (five-pointed stars). In Roman numerals, the number five is represented by the letter "V". Placing exactly 5 of these charges acts as a blatant literal anchor for the initial letter of the Vickers name. While the primary objective of these specific design choices is the phonetic "cant," the choice of tinctures and furs grounds it in traditional medieval symbolism. 

But the shield has more to offer than simply a representation of the first letter of the bearers surname. The deigner of this achievement put a lot of thought into the occupation of the bearer. The usual coat of arms for the surname Vickers has a a straight forward cross fourchy, with the ends split into two, however, here we encounter a cross double fourchy, where the ends are split into four; the number four is clearly important to the armiger's Christianity.

Each arm of the cross is split into four; in biblical numerology, the number four universally symbolises earthly completeness, creation, and universality. While the number three often represents the divine (e.g., the Trinity), four relates to God's total sovereignty and order over the physical, material world He established. On the fourth day of creation, God completed the material universe by bringing the sun, moon, and stars into existence to govern time, seasons, and days. Four is associated with the four points of the compass (North, South, East, West) and the four winds, representing the geographic totality of the globe and God's reach across all nations. In the Scripture, the four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) provide a complete earthly witness of Jesus Christ’s life.The Garden of Eden was watered by four rivers. The four Living Creatures seen around the throne in Revelation (often associated with a lion, ox, man, and eagle) represent all of creation worshiping God.

The five red mullets not only represent the V of Roman numerals, but more importantly, are representations of the wounds received during the crucifixion where Jesus suffered five primary wounds: on each of his hands, each of his feet, and his side.

This coat of arms gives us yet more. The ermine (the winter coat of the stoat, a small weasel) holds deep historical and spiritual significance in Christianity, primarily symbolising purity, incorruptibility, and the preservation of faith. This significance stems from two main traditional beliefs about the animal; the "Purity unto Death" Legend where Medieval bestiaries and folklore claimed that an ermine would rather surrender and die at the hands of hunters than soil its pure white coat by hiding in a dirty den. In Christian teaching, this became a powerful metaphor for martyrdom and the believer’s calling to die to sin rather than compromise their soul or faith.  Because of its flawless white winter coat, the fur became a natural symbol for the absolute purity of Jesus and the sinlessness of the Virgin Mary.

All in all, a worthy coat of arms.