Charge (heraldry)#Animals

Heraldic animal is a ungebräuchlicher at heraldists, but very popular with lay term that refers to a species which serves as privates figure, as supporter or sometimes as a crest in a coat of arms.

The common figure emblem

The emblem of all the animals of the natural animal kingdom and animals ( unicorn, dragon, griffin, etc. ) can be used in the mythical world. The modification of known living species by appearing absurd changes has enriched the heraldry. For example, mammals with fish tail ( Sea Lion ), or animals with wings (wings animal ) that are not created to fly, to name as special features.

With few exceptions, the animals are stylized in blazon. Especially the animals that have found their place in the early days of heraldry on the shields are, through the centuries of fashion has been adapted and its representation is permeated artistic. The historian can allocate the representation of each era. The most heraldic animals have a preferred position in the shield. So many look heraldic animals to the right ( from the perspective of the shield carrier ), and lions are represented primarily rising. This simplifies the description of Arms ( Blazon ), because the basic positions need not be mentioned here. The heraldic animals may be growing, standing at the gap, crowned or capped ( pieces of armor over his head ). Many terms explained in brief aptly the appearance, position and color.

Many heraldic animals only parts such as head, wings, feet and front part will be taken. These are treated as the whole animal. The description of the reinforcement makes the small difference between two seemingly identical coat of arms.

Heraldic animals remain a common figure, even if they touch the plate edge or a dividing line in the shield.

Popular heraldic animals are eagle, lion, leopard and mythical animals.

Among the less common animals, the reptiles are expected. Reptiles are a common figure in heraldry as a heraldic animal. In the arms of all kinds of lizards, such as crocodiles, lizards and salamanders, as well as snakes and turtles are found and are the most important representatives. Each of these species has its own rules for the representation in the upper plate or coat of arms, or as a plate holder.

  • Crocodile: see main article crocodile ( emblem )
  • Snake: Main article: serpent ( emblem )
  • Salamander: see main article Salamander ( emblem )
  • Lizard: The preparation is mainly in the plan view.
  • Turtle: see main article turtle ( emblem )
  • Main article: Coat of Arms of the desired animal
  • Insects: Among the less common animals, the insects are to be expected. See main article bees and ants. Among the other insects see Figure congregation, Section insects.

Heraldic animal with fish tail

In many heraldic animals rump is replaced with a fish tail. Thus, the opportunities to double at or above the coat of arms. Here the fantasy is no limit. What is possible is a church ceiling. In the church of St. Martin Zillis are on the ceiling many mythical creatures, which are also used in heraldry, illustrated. The special feature is the extensive display of heraldic animals with a fish tail. For example, lion, boar, unicorn, goat, ram, and Wolf are pictured with fish tail. Even an elephant is shown. In heraldry emblazoned with fischgeschwänzt. Even human beings belong. Examples are known Triton and the Melusine, also known as sea woman.

  • See also fish Griffin.

Application

While in heraldry the presentation elements in the shield are prinziell any, that can be chosen for the coat of arms owner, there is nevertheless since the early days of heraldry, the tendency to combine a certain symbolism with commons figure.

In heraldry - insofar as possible - crest -talking welcome. This means that designers coat of arms should be guided entirely by the name of the emblem holder in the design of the coat of arms. This quest can bring many animal motifs, for example in family names like " deer ", " fishing ", " boar ", etc.

Use of heraldic animals in Prussia Coat of Arms

On the coat of arms of the German emperors as kings of Prussia, and in the middle coat of arms heraldic animals these are shown in boxes (without gems and Upper Arms):

  • Great Seal of the German emperors as kings of Prussia Adler seven
  • Lion times
  • Horse twice
  • Cross three times
  • Mermaid eagle once
  • Bull twice
  • Hen once
  • Hirsch once
  • Adler six times
  • Lion five times
  • Horse twice
  • Griffin once.

The scattered individual states show in the composition of the coat of arms of Prussia until the frequency of the selected heraldic animals and thus document their popularity.

Heraldic animals of the German states

In most countries coat of arms of the German heraldic animals are used.

  • Baden- Württemberg: different lions ( Staufian Lion, the Palatinate Lion)
  • Bavaria: different lions ( Palatine Lion) and Blue Panther
  • Berlin Bear ( Bear )
  • Brandenburg: Adler ( Adler Maerkischer )
  • Hesse: Leo ( "Colourful Lion" )
  • Mecklenburg- Vorpommern: Taurus (Mecklenburg) and Greif ( Vorpommern)
  • Lower Saxony: horse ( Saxon Steed )
  • North Rhine -Westphalia Westphalia horse
  • Rhineland -Palatinate: Palatine Lion
  • Saarland: different lions ( Palatine Lion) and Adler
  • Saxony -Anhalt: Bear and Eagle
  • Schleswig -Holstein: lions (Schleswig )
  • Thuringia: Leo ( "Colourful Lion" )

The colorful lion of Thuringia

The Berlin Bear

Pomeranian Griffin

The Saxon Ross

The Palatinate Lion

The märkische Adler

The Swabian lions

The Blue Panther

In Bavaria, Bremen and Hamburg are two lions, in Baden- Württemberg deer and gripping as a plate holder part of the Great Coat of Arms.

Bremen lion

Hamburg lion

Baden-Wurttemberg Hirsch and gripping

Wapentiere the Austrian countries

  • Burgenland: Red Eagle
  • Carinthia: Three Lions
  • Lower Austria: Five eagle or larks
  • Upper Austria: Eagle
  • Salzburg: Leo
  • Styria: The Styrian Panther
  • Tyrol: Adler
  • Vorarlberg
  • Vienna: Eagle

Styrian Panther

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