The first grant of arms to the Tallow Chandlers was made by John Smert, Garter King of Arms, in 1456. A further grant of arms was made in 1603 by William Camden, Clarenceux King of Arms. The Armorial Bearing has several parts.

There are two crests at the top. Both are chargers, each bearing the head of John the Baptist; St John the Baptist is the patron saint of the Tallow Chandlers. He is usually represented as a gaunt ascetic, carrying a staff. Here, however, the fact that he was beatified by his beheading is emphasised.

The left hand crest shows an Angel issuing from a cloud holding the charger. It illustrates the line 'I saw the Spirit descending from Heaven like a Dove and it abode upon him'(John I 32), and was included in the first grant of arms.

The second crest shows only a charger with the head. It was granted by the second grant of arms, and was originally intended to be in place of the earlier crest. The Company later used both crests; this practice was confirmed by the .Garter King of Arms in 1961.

There are three doves incorporated in the shield. A supporter stands on either side of the shield. These are the 'angels crowned with stars in token of light, whereof their mystery is a beautiful imitation.'

At the foot of the Armorial Bearing is the motto ECCE AGNUS DEI QUI TOLLIT PECCATA MUNDI - 'Behold the lamb of God who taketh away the sins of the world' (John I 29).

This replaces the Tallow Chandlers' earlier 1603 motto 'Quae arguuntuar a luminae manifestartum'. This can be translated either as 'Things which are in dispute are made clear by the light' or as 'Changes which are brought are made clear by the light'.