Before trademarks, hallmarks, and printer's marks artisans and middle-class traders used a "merchant's mark," a sign or symbol generally using simple lines or curves. A little more complicated than your typical cattle brand from today.

The marks were used to authenticate goods. Products made for sale would have the mark, as would documents (think: wax seal and the like).

In medieval Europe, these marks were often embedded in works of stained glass and on headstones, for the middle classes were prohibited from using heraldic imagery. Only nobles need apply...

Our world has "democratized" to the point where nearly everyone with a surname can get on-line and find out what their "family" crest or motto might be. I won't vouch for the historical accuracy of these findings, but they are pretty cool for the most part and I would love to go all neo-traditional on the culture and bring that type of stuff back.

As part of my battle to reclaim something resembling a culture, I have dipped my toe into the heraldic waters. Haven't even got shin-high yet, though.

The typical O'Leary coat of arms I've seen includes the "attitude" of a lion passant. The beast is depicted walking with the right forepaw in the air and the other three on the ground.

This got me into researching a bit on heraldic lions. Traditionally, there were about 8 principal “attitudes.”

A lion regardant is the lion (in any position) turning his head and looking backward.

A lion couard is one with his tail between his legs.

Along with representatives within the T family, I pity the fool who has the cowardly lion in his crest or coat of arms.

And that's where we get the term. According to TheFreeDictionary.com definition, a coward is:

n.

One who shows ignoble fear in the face of danger or pain.

[Middle English, from Old French couard, from coue, tail, from Latin cauda.]

cow′ard adj.

Word History: A coward is one who "turns tail." The word comes from Old French couart, coart, "coward," and is related to Italian codardo, "coward." Couart is formed from coe, a northern French dialectal variant of cue, "tail" (from Latin cōda), to which the derogatory suffix -ard was added. This suffix appears in bastard, laggard, and sluggard, to name a few. In heraldry a lion couard, "cowardly lion," was depicted with his tail between his legs. So a coward may be one with his tail hidden between his legs or one who turns tail and runs like a rabbit, with his tail showing.

Stop showing ignoble fear in the face of danger or pain. It is unbecoming.

One way to face your fears is to join me in the Tom Woods School of Life.

Tom is opening his school doors once again. It's all online ... except for the optional in-person event each year where Tom forks over tens of thousands of his own for the best food, drink, entertainment, and speakers.

Join the others who are already, as Tom says, "creating prosperous and fulfilling lives even when political conditions are terrible."

How?

Click-away:

As always,

Brian

P.S.-- I've been a member since Tom opened the doors in February 2022. Best professional development I've ever been a part of.