Fig. 279.
After trying various forms for the shield, we select a very plain one that the effect of the decorative form of the magnolia may not be lessened by too ornate surroundings, and to show the large size of the blossom we must have it occupy the entire field without any divisions. Next, as to color; let us think. White, meaning brightness, purity, etc.? No. Yellow or gold, signifying wealth, ability, or—ah! here we have it—knowledge? Yes, that will do nicely—a love of nature on a field of knowledge; that certainly is appropriate. But the top of the shield being so square and plain gives the device an unfinished appearance. Suppose we try a bar over it, and something not a flower. As we wish this design to remain simple, a leaf of some kind would be best; so we return to the floral vocabulary, and after trying many and almost taking several, finally decide that the oak leaf is just the form needed to give a finish to the top, and its meaning, strength, will be an excellent element in the society. There, our insignia is complete, good in form, attractive in color, and appropriate in its meaning; but some of us prefer having the motto written out in plain English, so we will add a decorative scroll, with the meaning of the design inscribed “True Love of Nature.” (See Fig. 279.)
Fig. 280.
To familiarize ourselves with the working of the method let us try another experiment, and take the sentiment, “Wealth is the Reward of Industry,” to illustrate.
After deciding on the form of the shield, we turn to the divisions, and running them slowly over for something suitable, stop at Fig. 259, the Fess, meaning cause and effect. That sounds promising. Industry is the means by which the end, wealth, is accomplished. Good so far. We can now see that a floral emblem to represent industry should be placed in the central division, and whatever signifies wealth on the other two spaces. Among our legends of flowers we find industry portrayed by the bee orchid, and wealth and prosperity are symbolized by wheat. That is plain and easy. Now we have only to decide upon appropriate colors for the field to complete the design. Gold would mean wealth, but that we have in the wheat; besides the yellow of the wheat would not show well on the gold background, while on white or silver the contrast is strong and the appearance agreeable. Silver denotes innocence and virtue, which are so necessary that without them wealth would be undesirable. Therefore silver or virtue shall be the groundwork for our wealth, and for industry we will select purple as meaning power. Industry possesses the power to acquire wealth. Thus we complete the emblematical design, as seen in Fig. 280.
Fig. 281.
The following is a problem given to us for solution: On a gold chevron in a black field is a scarlet lily, to which is added as a crest a sunflower, and under all a blank scroll. On this we must write a motto that will be appropriately symbolized by the design.