In Armor of Ferdinand I, Holy Roman Emperor, how is the Symbolism discussed?
The armor is dominated by etched symbolism of the Madonna and Child as Woman of the Apocalypse atop a crescent moon on the breastplate, echoing the design on an armor of his brother Charles V at the Royal Armoury of Madrid.  On the backplate, a fire-steel (radiating sparks), a Burgundian emblem originated by Philip the Good, sits at a saltire of crossed branches under Saints Peter and Paul in architectural settings.In function, it is a working piece of field armor (feldküriß or feldharnisch) intended for military use, rather than parade armor, and the etching technique allowed elaboration and complexity in its design, without diminishing the defensive capabilities of the piece.
Ferdinand's then-status as King of the Romans (the heir apparent to his brother Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor) is symbolized by a crowned doubled-headed Reichsadler eagle on the toe caps of the sabatons covering his feet.The armor is clearly stamped with the "N" mark for Nuremberg and the city's half-eagle coat of arms, and also has the date "1549" included three times in the etched decoration.  These and the fantastical figures, arranged in triple bands imitative of a Spanish doublet, the scrollwork filled with tritons and other creatures, suggest Lochner as the armorer.
Woman of the Apocalypse armorer fire-steel Charles V Philip the Good coat of arms doublet sabaton Nuremberg Reichsadler branch Madonna and Child parade armor Royal Armoury of Madrid King of the Romans breastplate Burgundian scrollwork tritons Paul Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor crescent sparks saltire Peter etched symbolism