The Heraldic Archive · Collection II
House of Pena
Heraldry · Genealogy · Nobility · Symbolism
A permanent collection devoted to the Pena lineage: its ceremonial coat of arms, the full blazon, the heraldic symbolism behind it, and the family tree preserved as a historical artefact of the archive.
Room note
House of Pena is presented here as a curated exhibition, not a personal page: its arms, its blazon and its genealogy form part of the permanent holdings of the Heraldic Archive. One click enlarges any piece to full size.
Room I · Arms of the House
Family armsRoom II · Blazon
Duke Ricardo Adrián Pena
Arms: Sable, a lion rampant crowned Or, armed and langued Gules, holding a sceptre tipped with a fleur-de-lis.
Helmet, mantling, coronet and crest: A duke's steel helm affronté, adorned with mantling Or and Sable, surmounted by a ducal coronet Or and Gules, and for a crest an eagle Sable with wings displayed, armed and langued Gules.
Supporters: Two lions Or rampant respectant, armed and langued Gules.
Motto: On a scroll Or: “Sapientia Illuminatus”. Lower motto on a scroll Argent over waves Azure and Argent: “E Mare Libertas”. Beneath the shield, a listel bearing the surname “Pena”.
Room III · Symbolism
Heraldic notes
- The crowned lion rampant is a symbol of courage, nobility and authority.
- The crest eagle represents vigilance, power and spiritual elevation.
- The waves Azure and Argent evoke the sea, reinforcing the motto “E Mare Libertas” (“From the sea, freedom”).
- The upper motto, “Sapientia Illuminatus” (“Enlightened by wisdom”), lends an intellectual and moral character.
Room IV · Genealogical holdings
Family tree
The family tree of the House of Pena is the central documentary piece of this collection: it records the generations, family relationships and descendants of the lineage. It is displayed in a museum frame; full-screen enlargement allows close study of the calligraphic detail and of every recorded branch.
Room V · Insignia of the House