To identify a specific family or clan? To use specific imagery that is UNIQUE to that family or clan? To distinguish a family or clan from others?
Is not a coat of arms by nature something that should be unique, all different from each other representing different times, places, symbols etc?
If so then how do we explain the double-headed eagle, which appears on crests and coat of arms from ALL OVER THE WORLD? How can this be? Why/how would so many cultures and empires all use this very odd symbol, of a creature that is not even known to exist?
Super interesting imo:
The examples of this symbol go on and on... they are truly countless, here is just a small sampling:
















