Ermine (heraldry)

Ermine, the representation of the ermine is used in heraldry in various forms.

Ermine furs

As a stylized heraldic fur of the animal of the same name, it is one of the heraldic tinctures. The origin is seen in the coat of arms nailed with real fur in the early days of heraldry. This form was coat of arms set of images. To document the literature that the minstrel Ulrich von Lichtenstein led a such coated plate. Dated to 1200/1275 or 1276.

Signified reason in the form of small, arranged in rows black cross on a white (silver). This refers to the fact that in the white ermine fur small black tail tips are distributed ( ermine tails). This is different from the error, in which the various fields are each similar in size.

In the stylized way as fur it has its dissemination, particularly in the English heraldry found. Ermine tail is always black on silver, otherwise it has a separate name: how the lilies in the French coat of arms ( ermine lilies ), as ermine is the counterpart to the English coat of arms. There have here the gold ermine and counter- ermine established. In English heraldry it is addressed with pean. On a black background the golden tail are shown. Conversely, it is emblazoned as erminoys (English ).

Gold ermine ( heraldic pattern )

Counter- ermine ( heraldic pattern )

Counter- ermine in Gold ( heraldic pattern )

Special forms have their own names. So the bar is occupied with the ermine ermine bars. This has its spread in the English heraldry. It is also occupied with the fur cross, though rarely, in heraldry as ermine cross in use.

Lozenges ermine ( Hofkirchen B. H. AT)

The ermine in the natural representation

In natural representation, ermine received on crests, coat and crest tent. Also on heraldic shields, it is in this form, the heraldic animal. Thus, it is a common figure. Thus, it can also occur as a crest. Hats will be happy with it decorated the forend. Thus, the electoral hat stands as an example. However, the externally visible feeding of crowns is often fitted so real.

In heraldry, the real and stylized ermine form are in use. Here would be mentioned as an example of the ducal crown.

There are also coats of arms which are arranged on the Kürsch small Hermelinschwänzchen. That is a Hermelinkürsch. In particular, the stylized Hermelinschwänzchen can also be regarded as a common figure. Several tails in the plate without the plate boundary are to touch or be cut from this.

In Kürsch a pole with three ermine tails ( Bregenz AT)

In natural representation as an emblem ( Pohjois- Pohjanmaan FI)