Although they aren't granted by the College of Arms - as is considered by some heraldists to be required in New Zealand, I have assumed arms.

Nowadays heraldry is often stereotypically associated with nobility, exclusion, and pretense, but it historically wasn't limited to that, and even today it's a hobby anyone can enjoy. I use my arms in a variety of contexts, including a simplified version in certain locations on this site.

The burning tower and star is a mark that I used long before my interest in heraldry, so I incorporated it unchanged. Although it's a somewhat... destructive symbol, I'd say it works well for me, and it has had a variety of meanings over time.

Since I like the whole achievement to echo the shield, mine carries over some of its elements - the stars also reflect the infinite wonder of the night sky. The frauenadler or heraldic harpy is intended to mirror German crests composed of wings or banners, and represent my interest in the humanities, among other things.

A blazon is a written description of the arms that all depictions are based on; anything outside it is the purview of the artist. Mine goes like so:

Argent, issuant from a flame proper, a one-windowed tower proper ported argent, and in chief a mullet vert. For mantling, vert doubled argent. For the crest, a demi-harpy argent, the wings semy of mullets vert, and the human parts proper. For a motto: Lucem porta in tenebris / Kawea te marama i roto i te pouri (In the darkness, carry the light).