Chapter 2 | A CANOPY

The coat of arms/emblem/heraldic symbol of the Netherlands looks a bit like the canvas from the previous chapter, but also has a textile roof, like a kind of tent canvas. We call the whole a canopy: a drapery of precious fabric, often as a tribute to something or someone, in this case the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Under the tent canvas are the lions of Orange carrying the shield and crown. The French saying ‘Je maintiendrai’ in the blue decorative ribbon means: “I will maintain/be faithful/protect the kingdom.”

Exercise 1: Copy the canopy drawn in pencil. Think of a symbol or figure for under the canopy that you admire/want to honor or give shelter/protect. Of course, that could also be a photo of something or someone.