The Carmelite crest shows a mountain (probably Mount Carmel where the Order originated) with rounded sides and three stars. A cross on the summit of the mountain is often associated with reform movements within Carmel.

In the 16th century the shield began to appear with a crown above it, from which the arm and sword of Elijah rises surrounded by a semicircle of 12 stars. The Order’s motto (the words of Elijah from 1 Kings 19:10) also appear on the crest: Zelo zelatus sum pro Domine Deo exercituum (‘I am full of zeal for the Lord God of Hosts’).