The crest on Plate 3, Crest 11 (Pl. 3. cr. 11.) is described as a shank-bone (or leg-bone) and palm branch in saltier.
Surnames Associated with this Crest:
- Baines (England)
- Bane (Scotland)
- Bone (England)
- Dempster (Scotland)
- Gall (England) [description: A shank bone and palm branch in saltier, proper]
- Hadienson (England)
Symbolism of the Crest
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Shank-bone (Leg-bone): The bone is a profound heraldic symbol of mortality, human frailty, and the reminder of death (memento mori). However, when paired with emblems of victory, it often signifies endurance beyond death or a legacy that survives the physical body.
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Palm Branch: The palm is the classical emblem of victory, triumph, justice, and peace. It was believed to grow stronger when burdened, symbolizing resilience and the overcoming of adversity.
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In Saltier: Arranging the charges in an X-shape (saltier) signifies resolution and the intersection of these two opposing concepts—mortality and victory.
General Symbolic Meaning
This unique crest combines the stark reality of mortality with the symbol of ultimate triumph. It suggests a lineage or individual who values honor and victory above life itself, or one who has achieved a triumph that outlasts death. The associated motto for Dempster, “Mors aut vita decora” (Death or a life of honor), perfectly encapsulates this meaning: the willingness to sacrifice life to maintain integrity and achieve a victorious reputation.