Metals:
* Gold (Or): Wealth, generosity, power, justice, loyalty.
* Silver (Argent): Purity, innocence, faith, peace, hope, sincerity.
Colors:
* Red (Gules): Courage, valor, love, anger, war.
* Blue (Azure): Truth, loyalty, perseverance, wisdom, justice.
* Green (Vert): Hope, joy, fertility, growth, nature.
* Black (Sable): Mourning, wisdom, prudence, constancy.
* Purple (Purpure): Royalty, sovereignty, justice, power.
Furs:
* Ermine (Black spots on white): Purity, innocence, vigilance.
* Vair (Blue and white, bell-shaped): Loyalty, justice, truth.
* Minver (White spots on blue): Love, devotion, constancy.
Important Considerations:
* Context: The meaning of colors can vary depending on the specific coat of arms and the family or person it represents.
* Historical Period: Color meanings have evolved over time. What was a common association in the Middle Ages may be less common today.
* Regional Differences: Different heraldic traditions may have slightly different interpretations of color symbolism.
Examples:
* The royal arms of England feature the color gold (for power, generosity) and red (for courage, war) in the lion and the shield.
* The royal arms of Scotland have gold (power, generosity) and blue (truth, loyalty) in the lion and the shield.
Ultimately, the best way to understand the meaning of colors in a particular coat of arms is to consult a heraldic expert or study the specific family's history and traditions.