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Armory
THE ARMS OF THE TRIBES OF ISRAEL
ARMS OF THE FAMILY OF ZECHARIAH OF EIN KEREM
AND OF ST JOHN THE BAPTIST
Blazon: Vert three trumpets mouths to the chief in fess argent in chief a bezant over all on a fess or a pair of hands couped at the wrists and held as in the Priestly (Kohanim) Blessing azure a rod putting forth almonds of the field in pale on a base of the second a cluster of grapes gules stalked sable a fountain of the fourth in pale.
Crown of David attributes to all males descended in the male line from Aaron the privilege of personal use of a differenced version of the attributed arms of the Tribe of Levi (named after and descended from the third-born and third-blessed son of Jacob) to which they belong. This is based on a field vert corresponding to the emerald, the third precious stone in the breastplate of the High Priest.
The main charges on the field are three trumpets argent (similar to those which appear today on the arms of Lord Levy) commemorating the music ministry to which the Tribe of Levi is consecrated. In chief is a bezant (gold disk), the differencing mark for the sons of Aaron, the Hereditary Priests (Kohanim). This represents the gold medallion, bearing the inscription "Holy to the Lord" which was placed on the head-dress of the High Priest.
Priests who are ritually fit for service at the Temple bear a further differencing mark: a fess or bearing a pair of hands raised as in the Priestly Blessing, such as once appeared on the arms of Lord Cohen of Birkenhead. Beneath them is a Rod of Aaron, a branch sprouting almonds, which has traditionally been displayed on arms invented for Aaron and his descendants.
To distinguish the arms of Zechariah, and his son and successor in the possession of his arms, John the Baptist, a silver base is placed on the shield with charges alluding to the name of their place of origin, Ein Kerem. The name means "Fountain of Vines", and accordingly the charges consist of a cluster of red grapes above a fountain.
Armorial designs copyright Michael Petek 2004
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