harp

Although often associated with the country of Ireland, the harp also appears in the coat of arms of some families. It is usually depicted in a lifelike fashion and can be stringed of a different colour for a more pleasing effect. A Glossary of Terms used in British Heraldry, J.H. Parker, Oxford, 1894, Entry:Harp Guillim suggests that the harp represents one of a “well-composed and tempered judgement”. A Display of Heraldry, J. Guillim, Blome, London, 1679, P243