This is the official achievement of the Knightly Order of the Fiat Lux. It is not just a way to identify ourselves amongst a crowd. It is not just because it looks nice. It has many meanings some of them two and three fold and interlaced with others. As the symbols are identified, so is their initial meaning. This is important as these parts of our achievement directly reflect the code and the measure of our Order. The achievement has several parts: The coat of arms, the motto scroll, the helm, the wreath, the mantling and the crest.

The Coat of Arms

Quarterly argent and gules, first a beacon gules, fourth an almoner gules, a sword argent in bend sinister.

Quarterly argent and gules: The shield, or coat of arms, is divided into four quarters. These are shaded in two colors: argent or white, which in heraldry represents silver, and gules or red. These are the primary tinctures, or colors, of our achievement and are used throughout. When building this coat of arms argent is the base and gules is the second layer. Argent represents the purity of our code of chivalry. It is the unblemished field upon which we will build all else. Gules represents the sacrifices we make in our selfless endeavors. It is the blood we both freely and gladly give to our causes in the service of others.
First a beacon gules: In the upper left hand corner the beacon, or torch, encompasses the ideal code of chivalry, which we all strive to live by. It is there to help guide us through the often fast paced happenings of our modern lives. Should we ever become lost we know it will be there to show us the way. The torch is not perpetual however. It must be cared for and maintained if it is to continue burning and light the way. If one is careless the beacon can be easily extinguished. The code of chivalry is fragile. If one is not vigilant to the subtle incursions to one’s character that are all too often rationalized and explained away as tolerable, honor can be slowly and subtly eroded until nothing remains. The beacon is in gules because of the sacrifices we make to maintain it. The six licks of flame are the six founding brothers of the Order.

Fourth an almoner gules: In the lower right hand corner the almoner was the pouch used to carry the money, or alms, intended to be distributed to the poor and needy. It is an outward trapping of philanthropy. Today our almoners are bank accounts and our donations are carried out through electronic transfers. This however does not diminish the spirit of the act. A coin given from an almoner to the needy is an effort to help those in the community directly. Of course money is not the only way to be charitable. One might have an almoner of time with which to volunteer. Time spent serving food at a soup kitchen or wrapping presents for needy children at Christmas time can be more valuable than any currency. The legacy of a man is etched with his actions, not his words. For the positive influence you make in someone’s life will live long after the thank you speeches have faded from memory. The almoner is the selfless act of charity, mercy and kindness. It is in gules because of the sacrifices we make to fulfill these acts.

A sword argent in bend sinister: A knightly order was, is and always will be one of marital arms. A knight trained in the arts of war was disciplined, valorous and brutally efficient. He knew how to handle his fear and maintain order in desperate situations. In days of old it was through force of arms, or threat thereof, that the knights were able to complete their charges, uphold justice, and defend the meek. The sword was the primary tool of their trade. Today a sword is more a ceremonial trapping, although modern knights have been known to draw steel from time to time in the role of training, education and demonstration. The sword is the reminder of our martial heritage. It represents the personal strength and self-discipline required maintaining our responsibilities. It is argent because it is through our code of chivalry that we attain these attributes with which to wield it.

The Motto Scroll, Helm, Wreath and Mantling

The Motto Scroll: Below the coat of arms is the motto scroll. It contains the motto of the Order, ”Absum lucis tenebrae obtinebis”, or “In the absence of light darkness prevails.” It is symbolic of our purpose for being. It is a reminder that we must be present and stand ever vigilant lest dishonor encroach unchecked. It implies not only vigilance against dishonor, but other wickedness as well. For in the absence of justice, crime prevails. In the absence of love, hatred prevails. Stalwart vigilance is our calling, for the worst thing good men can do when confronted with the evil and corrupt is nothing at all.

The Helm: Immediately above the coat of arms is the helm. The open faced visored helm is reserved for barons and knights. As we are a knightly order it is more appropriate than the frog faced helms of gentlemen (esquires) or the pageantry helms of titled peerage and members of a royal house.

The Wreath: The wreath adorns the top of the helm. Historically it was used to hide the straps that held the crest onto the top of the helm, as they were considered unsightly. Traditionally there are six turns in the wreath reflecting the tinctures and metals of the coat of arms. In our Order, they represent the six founding brothers.

The Mantling: This is the great flourish to the left and right of the helm. Historically it was simply a short cape of fabric draped from the back of the wreath to protect the helm from the heat of the sun. It maintained the tinctures and metals of the coat of arms and wreath.

The Crest

The crest is mounted above the wreath. Worn by knights in tournament so that those who chose the cheer them on could identify them through the crowd. Often the crest was derived from the name, occupation or professional accomplishment of its bearer. The crest of the Order has multiple parts with individual meanings.

The Castle: The parapets of a castle, are from where we protect all of the things we hold dear to our hearts. They are strong stone walls, which help us defend ourselves from all things dark and wicked. In feudal times a knight’s power and authority came from status as a landowner and his castle was from where he maintained his lands. In its baileys was a place to gather, trade goods and services, hold tournament and celebration, dispense justice and defend the people from invaders. Today, a man’s home is his castle, and just as it did then, it takes effort and hard work to maintain a home. If a knight cannot first manage the affairs of his own house, how can he attempt to manage the affairs of his lands? The castle is the strong home, which we use as a foundation to build all else upon.

The Annulet: The never-ending circle. It is an infinite cycle of birth, life, death and rebirth. It is the state that we all are, were and will be again. It is a reminder that in our lives there are seasons, and although we will go through winter, invariably there follows the spring. With no beginning and no end, the ring shows us that it is the journey and wisdom we gain from it, not the destination, which is the true value. It is a reminder of our own mortality and that we must spend the short time we have here wisely. It is the perpetual cycle of life and the binding union to which we all dedicate ourselves to one another and our community.