During the Middle Ages, any knight who went into battle needed to distinguish friend from foe and would paint identifying marks on his shield. Later, these markings began appearing on military surcoats and cloaks worn by royal messengers.

This is how the Coat of Arms was born - a design of heraldic symbols created to represent a monarchy, a clan, a territory or nation. Even Canada, a nation formed long after the Middle Ages, has a Coat of Arms - as does every province and territory within its domain.