The 12 tribes of Israel were each given a unique symbol to represent their people, prophecy, and heritage.
Each symbol was unique and was meant to convey something special that unified the people within its family line.
For example, the symbol for the tribe of Judah was a lion, which was meant to symbolize strength and courage.
The symbol for the tribe of Benjamin was a wolf, which was meant to symbolize loyalty and protection.
These banners must have created a strong sense of identity for the tribes of Israel.
In the Middle Ages, Jewish people often wore a special medallion that displayed the symbols of their tribe.
Unfortunately, much of Israel’s rich tribal identity was lost in the diaspora.
Although I’m no historian, I wonder if the popular family crest and coat of arms commonly used throughout the 11-17th century were influenced by God’s design for the tribes of Israel.
Have you ever thought about your own banner or family crest? Did your family carry forward this beautiful tradition? If so, what do you know about it?
If you were to design a family crest for your family today, what colors, symbols, and images would it bare, and why?
