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Greetings,
This is a report on the existence of the "arrow of Chaos" in medieval heraldry.
The symbol of 8 arrows radiating from a central point was invented by Michael Moorcock, author of "Elric of Melnibone" and many other works of fantasy. In his books, it is the symbol of chaos. Because of this use, it is also found in a number of Games Design Workshop products, including "Warhammer." There's no "eight-pointed arrow" or anything like it that we're aware of in heraldry or any other medieval art form--it's purely used in modern fantasy.
Since the purpose of the SCA (and especially of the Academy) is helping people develop names and armory from the Middle Ages, there's not a whole lot we can do for your friend.
There is a charge called an "escarbuncle," which is a stylized charge which has eight arms radiating from a central point. It's a fairly common medieval charge, so he could use that. If he attempts to draw an arrow of Chaos and call it an escarbuncle, it won't work--an escarbuncle looks significantly different from the design your friend is attempting to use. You could look for a picture of this charge in the "Pictorial Dictionary of SCA Heraldry," a common SCA resource, or in "The Complete Guide to Heraldry" by Arthur Fox-Davies, which can be found in many libraries and bookstores. There are many other books which contain pictures of escarbuncles; a herald you know may be able to help you find a picture.
Arval D'Espas Nord, Rouland Carre, Margaret Makafee, Walraven van Nijmege, Evan da Collaureo, Pedro de Alcazar, Lindorm Eriksson, Elsbeth Anne Roth, and Zenobia Naphtali all contributed to this letter.
We hope this has been helpful. Please let us know if we can be of further assistance.
In service,
Alan Fairfax
Academy of S. Gabriel