I have always been fascinated in Heraldry – ever since I was sent away to a boarding school in Windsor. Every Sunday during termtime we had to go to the Chapel of St George in Windsor Castle to sit through two services – Mattins and Evensong. I was not a chorister. I was a “super” which, in Latin means “extra”. A bit like a drone, really. The only thing to look at in the Chapel were the shields and banners of the Knights of the Garter that hung on the walls. Very romantic. So many colours, patterns, symbols. This combined with the beautiful singing had a very calming effect. Even now, if I want to relax, I will listen to medieval choral music.
It is probably not so surprising that:
The bee is the most popular insect in Heraldry
The bee is normally shown with an old-style beehive – as shown on the shield above.
More at: http://www.heraldryandcrests.com/heraldic_symbols.htm
Bee Lore 
My family coat of arms are three silver bee hives on a red field.
http://threebeehives.blogspot.com/2009/11/berner-munster.html