Originally heraldic insignias unique to a noble person, his family or a religious order, the idea of having a coat of arms has been adopted by the governments that succeeded them. Many countries, provinces or military units directly inherited the heraldic arms owned by their former lords, but even countries that were never feudal have taken to creating coats of arms for their governmental bodies, provinces and military units.

h4. See also
* [[Heraldry]]
紋章 コート・オブ・アームズ