Quote Originally Posted by Cygnus View Post
That's very interesting, Sandy. I was under the impression that clergymen could be granted crests, but that they generally chose to display the corded and tasseled ecclesiastical hat instead.

That is good information to know!
Clergy can be, and are, regularly granted crests, as well as various sorts of heraldic hats-- I am aware of crests granted to (1) a Catholic Bishop; (2) a Methodist Bishop; (3) a Rabbi; (4) several Protestant clergymen.

Hats usually follow the traditional system of colour and tassels to denote rank within the church. Anglican clergy, to distinguish themselves from the Roman clergy, will often place either a Canterbury cross, or a red and white heraldic rose, on the front of the hat although this practice is by no means universal. Recently a Methodist Bishop had placed above his arms a representation of the three-cornered hat worn by John Wesley.

Rabbis may wear hats, but they do not figure into any grants that I am aware of. That said, the symbolism used in devising their arms often alludes to their faith. One rabbi that I know has as his crest a representation of the City of Jerusalem taken from a 12th century map, while his arms stylistically represent a menorah.