FICTITIOUS

CREATURES

AND

SYMBOLIC

IN

ART

FICTITIOUS

WvvSYMBOLIC

CREATURES

IN

WITH

IN

REFERENCE

SPECIAL

TO

BRITISH
By
MEMBBR

OP
ROTAL

THB

LAND,

THE

USE

VINYCOMB
ROTATntlSH
SOCISTY

ACADBMT,

ANTIQUARIK8

OP

VICB-PRBSIDENT

ST,

THEIR

HERALDRY

JOHN

OP

ART.

OP

GEOXGB

AMD

THB

BX-LIBRI8

THE

DRAGON

PKUjOW
OP

IRB-

SOCIETY

ILLUST^JTED

CHAPMAN
11

HENRIETTA

AND

HALL,

STREET,

LIMITED
LONDON,

MCMVI
f{
.

W.C,

6h^

i)3OO.|0O

FROM

MRS.

THE

JUNE

Printad

LIBRARY

ELLEN

HAVEN

OF

ROSS

28, 1938

by BAUJkimmB
Tavistock

Stnet,

Ca
London

LmrrsD

PREFACE

iNDER

the

title

proposed
only

Heraldry.
those

of

in

adopted

handed
the

down

to

ideas

of

namely,

classic

the

marvellous

the

coinage
As

these

symbolic
it
each

case

of

from

of

their

own

some

that

obvious

earlier

and

is

the

have

they
or

Many

latent

were

fears.

their

chief

in

with

met

been

and

art,

others

were

sources,

legendary

constantly

heraldry

heraldry

period

travellers

are

have

Ages.
that

and

fancies

beings

assumed
with

early

which

symbolic

still

sacred

tions
exaggera-

forms

of

the

not

those

Middle

the

all

include

have

we

of

writers

tales

which

list will

and

British

in

appear

natural

from

story,

of

symbolic

system

the

unreal

art,
be

may

the

derived

undoubtedly

and

The

of

us

fictitious

senses,

our

is

illustrate

existence

combinations

and

been

whose

evidence

direct

of

of

beings

it

and

which

creatures

book

this

describe

to

those

of

exponent,

adopted

meaning,

in

as

in

PREFACE

vi
the

case

of real animals

lay claim

to

our

more

as
especially

them

and

The

consideration

as

less attention

reliable

chimerical

to

unfortunately give but

scarcelya

while

meaning,

It cannot

succeeded,

in

even

Milton

terrible

creatures

have

carried

to

seems

limits.

its utmost

this

^^

Black

Fierce

of the

as

ten

of

and

of these

on

heraldry
their

history or

of

any

art.

period have

in

embodying

the
the

and

poets

cerning
con-

imagination.

poetic personification
for

Who,

instance,

could

it stood

as

terrible
fiiries,

ambiguous

some

accuracy

their

degree,
of

and

of

such
artistic,

state

artists at

remote

of

need

usuallystiff

are

soulless

that

depict a being like

Out

to

as

highly wrought conceptions

these

to

said

be

degree

some

descriptionof

illustrations

representinga

awkward,

the

the

hint

considering

reference

meagre

to

tent
compe-

features

and

of

by

led into

depict with

forms

Books

beings.

devoted

been

descriptiveand

one

any

types,

or

their forms

subject with

spiritthe

shapes, with

emblems

finding the frequent

enable

heraldic

true

therefore,equally

has

has been

authority,both

would

of

writer

the
investigating

attention, from

as

may,

delineation

the

artists.
and

they

often

night,
as

hell ! "

accounts
conflicting

vii

PREFACE
of

difFerent

became
of

authors

no

of the

many

poet*s pen

finds

it

to

his

his

follows

art

and

reason,

spectres they are

the

childhood

and

all

part in
Over
a

of the

the

of

coming
an

of
and

time

evil dream,

the

dim

of

and

it is

will fade

with

of

performed

mythical creatures

may

their

At

be

gazed

past,

important

still exercise

the dawn

their

of

present

dead
upon,

of

like that

with

symbols,and

old

history,

ages

power,

memories

as

of

In

enlightenment

entirely
away

them

all

dark.

an

ideas

their

remain.

Like

lives of mankind.

and

in the

the

life into

sunlight of

credulous

and

probable

and

beings prefer

clear

representation,
breathing for

breath

anything like

the dawn

inherited

these

alone

concerned
chiefly
mode

the

brighterday,
influence

form

inspection.

world, from

influence,but

paramount

material

eflective in the

illusions have

lands

ideas

the

to

the thought
influencing

many

these

shadowy

closer

most

ever

through

such

many

from

shrink

the

at

to

with
personifications

light of allegory

dim

The

monsters.

the poet in endeavouring

give

to

conception

shapes, shadowy

to

photographic fidelity. Such

the

ideal

it

artists

clear

give tangibleshape

and

beyond

expression

them

turn

at

of these

artist who

realise

arrive

to

forms

may

best; but the

to

task

easy

vagaries of

the

and

skins.
shorn

are

we

with

brief

name

their

moment

These
of

all

viii

PREFACE

their

to

is

in

terrors,

make,

if

and

have

it, only

fiction

what

engendered

superstitious
and

or

reduced

speech

and

to

length
symbol

the

is

by

And

after

each

of

as

the

minds

to

the

dead

for

of

County

Down,

April

1906.

ingenious

an

and

horrors

old

as

ages

level

of

terrible

peoples,

entire

figure

merely.

J.

holywood,

whatever

the

find

it

mystery

imaginative

figuring

in

"

its

appears

we

creature

mystery

no

credulous,

so

enabled

been

from

heart

now

us

have

that

there

fictions,
realities

at

out

past.

pleasing

bright

found

is

because

probably

about

it

illustrations

plucked

**

not

the

VlNYCOMB.

of

CONTENTS

PAOB

Introduction
Notes

-/

Beings

Animated

on

The

Symbolism

Heraldic

in

Attitudi

of

Art

13
18

Position

or

^Effectivb

Spirit

Heraldic

The

"

"

HeRALDRY

IM

ESSENTIAL

Quality

decorative

22

Beings

Celestial

25

Angels

27
Mistaken

Conception

Modern

Medlsval

Treatment

Art

Angels

op

Angels

of

32
34

...

Cherubim

Seraphim

and

in

Heraldry

44

...

Cherubim

The
Emblems

of

Seraphim

and

the

of

Scripture

47

Evangblisis

four

"

Creatures

Chimerical

the

of

"

Dragon

"

SeiCpent

and

Kind
The

Dragon

The

Dragon

57
59
in

Christian

Art

The

Dragon

The

Crocodile

..*^-cThe
The

Hydra

Thb

Wyvern

in

Heraldic

Royal

the

as

thb

.69

Heraldry

Prototype

'

53

of

of

the

Britain.

83

Dragon

91

Dragon

92

'9^
98

The

Chimera

The

Lion-Dragon

102

103
...

Thb
The

Gorgon

103

Cockatrice

Basilisk,
The

or

104
Amphysian

Mythical

106

Cockatrice
....

Serpent

108

CX)NTENTS

PAOK

ThI
^

"

ScOKPIOM

Othei

122

Chimkiical

Thi

Heraldic

and

Biasts

125

Unicorn

127

Medijbval
The

Crbatuibs

The

conception

Horn

.130

Unicorn

the

op

Unicorn

the

of

133

Pegasus

137

Sacittart,

Centaur^

Sagittarius,

Centaurus,

Hippo-

centaur

Griffin

141
Gryphon

or

The

Male

Other

147
160

Griffin

Varieties

.161

Griffin

the

op

The

Opinicus,

The

Sphtnx

The

Phoinix

The

Harpy

The

Heraldic

The

Martlet

186

The

Alerion

188

The

163
Bird

The

Leopard,
The
The

the

of

Sun

171
179

Pelican

182

189

l"iVER (Cormorant)

Heraldic*

The

162

Epimacus

or

Tigre

Royal

190

Tiger

193

Panther^

or

Tyger

or

Panther

"'

Fblis

Pardus,

Lybbarde

-194

Incensed"

199

Lynx

203

Cat-a-Mountain"

Cat

Tiger

or

Wild

Cat.

205

T"E

Salamander

Heraldic
The

209

Antelope

Heraldic

213

Ibex

215
216

Bagwtn
The

Camelopard,

MUSIMON,
The

.216

Camel^leopard

TlTYRUS

2I7

Enfield

Mantiger,
Lamia
Bapbombt

217
Montecre
or

Emipusa

or

Manticora

Satyral

.218
220
221

CONTENTS

li

PAOB

ApUU

221

StSLLIONES

221

Fictitious

CRSATtruBs

of

Introductory'

Poseidon,
Merman
The

Mermaid

The

Sirens

Sea

223

Notes

225

Neptune

or

or

the

237

Triton

or

239
Siren

Classic

op

243
Mytholoct

249

....

The

Dolphin

of

Legend

The

Dauphin

of

France

The

Heraldic

The

Sea-horse

Dolphin

and

of

Heraldry.

"254

265
267
270

Sea-lion

274

Sea-dog

275

LIST

OF

ILLUSTRATIONS

rAOB

Celbstial

Bbings:

Angel

Shield

holding

Egyptian

Winged

Hawk-headed

Deity

and

28

figure, emblem

winged

Cloud

with

Angel

27

of

Osiris

29

Symbol

3^
"

Angel

Supporter

Kneeling
Arms

40

Angel
the

of

Supporter

Abbey

St.

of

41
Albans

42

....

Gloria

Excekis

in

Cherubs'
A

Deo

43

Heads

Head

Seraph's

Arms

44

^Azure

"

heads

the

of

Cherubim

44
chevron

and

between

argent

three

cherubs'

bst

45
of

Seraphim

Scripture

47

...

Angel

of

crest

Tuite,

Bart.,

Tipperary

co.

48
...

Tetramorph
Symbols

52

the

of

Four

Evangelists

54

....

The

Lion

of

St.

Venice

Mark,

$6
.

Cuatuus

Cbimbiical
The

of

Dragon

Sbkpsmt

akd

kind

Dragon

59

Japanese

Dragon

Japanese

Imperial

The

the

Dragon

of

65

the

Device

67

Apocalypse

71

....

St.

Michael

and

the

Old

Dragon

72

....

St.

From

Margaret.

ancient

carving
"

St.

George

and

the

Dragon

"

"

73
74

LIST

xiv

OF

ILLUSTRATIONS
rA6E

CftXATUiBs

CHimiiCAL

From

Dragon Standard.
A

fwAnuid

"

the

Bayeux Tapestry

86
.

Dragon passant

Crest,

Dragon's Head

Sinister

93

of the

of Viscount

arms

From

Hydra.

Gough

95

Greek

vase

96

Hydra

The

chained

and

94

the Lemean

and

collared

erased

of London

supporter

Hercules

City

of the

Arms

90

97

holding

Wyrem

fleur-de-lis

Wyyern, wings endorsed, tail

Garter

the

from

Wyvem

98

....

nowed

99

...

plate

of

Sir

John

Gray,

1436 A.D

99

(German

Lindworm

Wyvem,

or

Wyvem,

wings displayed(earlyexample)

Wyvem,

wings depressed
from

Chimera,

Greek

version)

100
.

loi
.

loi

coin

102

Cockatrice

105

Aphasian Cockatrice,

fiasiliskor

Arms

of

in the British Museum

Whitby Abbey

Amphipt"re,

Crest

proper.

of Cavendish

.121
.

flyingSerpent

or

122

123

Cksatures

Chimeiicax.

The

Heraldic

Head,

of the

or

couped

.128

Unicorn

131

Pegasos

of Corinth

and

137

Syracuse

138

Pegasus salient
The

Beasts

127

Unicorn's

Legend

Pegasus
Coins

and

salient

Unicom

139

Sagittary Centaur

142

"

Ipotane, from

Compound

^4

118

Scorpion

Crest,

114
"

Serpent, nowed,

Other

107

Serpent

Brazen

painted vase

Shield,from

Greek

tail nowed

gold
figures,

Centaur, Greek

travels

MandeviUe's

....

144

....

145

necklace

Sculpture

146

LIST

ILLUSTRATIONS

OF

xv

rAGB

Chimerical

Other
A
A
A

Cibaturbs

"

continued:

Griffin statant,

wings endorsed

Griffin passant,

wings raised.

Griffin segreant,

(Early English)

v^ingsdisplayed. (German)

149

149

Griffin

Sleeping

Griffin segreant
Gold

148

....

150

(German

version)

152

"

Flying Griffin

Colossal

Griffins,Burmah

Carved

panel, a

Male

154
155

Griffin segreant

160
....

Griffin

Opinicus

161
162

statant

Egyptian Sphynz
Theban,
A

endorsed

170

171

Greek

Harpy,

in her

Pelican

Heraldic
a

180

crowned

(German

version)

Pelican

natural

The

Martlet

181

piety,wings displayed
in her

.182

piety

183

vulning herself proper, wings endorsed

Pelican

The

186
186

displayed

Heraldic

The

188

an

Heraldic

190

Tigre, collared and lined

**

191

193

passant

195

.......

Leopard's Face, jessant-de-lis

Panther

Mirror

and

Leopard

.188
.

Tigre passant

Supporter,
Tigre

Eagle

Heraldic

An

184

Pelican
.

Alerion

181

Nuremberg

of

Crest,

179

sculpture

Harpy displayedand

Shield
A

guardant, wings

passant

Harpy, wings disclosed

The
A

164

Phoeniz

The
A

Sphynz

Greek

or

Sphynz

163

196

....

Incensed"

200

Lynz

Cat-a-Mountain

203

saliant,collared and

Crest, a Cat*a-Mountain,

lined
.

sejant,collared and lined

205
206

LIST

xvi

OF

ILLUSTRATIONS
FACT

Chimiucal

Othei

Cuatukes

crowned

The

"9uHnttid:
"

Salamander

Francis

of

I.
.

Salamander
Heraldic

Earl

James,

of

crest

of

209

Douglas

.212

Antelope

Heraldic

214

Ibex

215

Mnsimon,

Tityrus

217

Mantygre,

Satyral

Tbe

Manticora.

218

From

ancient

Bestiaria

.219

From

Lamia.

old

Creatures

Fictitious
Poseidon.

Bestiary
of

Dexter

the

220

Sea:

Supporter

of

Baron

Hawke

237

or

Triton

with

two

Merman

Triton,
Mermaid

and

240
tails

Triton

(German)
supporters

.241

Mermaid
Crest
Die

242,

Ellis

of

the

and

of

Coin

"gina

of

Example
Dolphin
Sea-horse
Sea-horse
of

"

art

the

249,

250

254,

255
259

262

Dolphin

the
of

Banner

Arms

Sirens

classic

Dolphin

Sign

245

Dolphin

of

243
244

Ritter, of Nuremberg

Ulysses
The

240

....

263

Dolphin

265

^Dolphin embowed

267

hauriant,

urinant,

naiant

torqued

268
270

erect

the

naiant,

271

city

of

Belfast

273

Sea-lion

erect

275

Sea-dog

rampant

^76

INTRODUCTION

'

Jngjtls and

of

ministers

human

^H"

for

it

cannot

the

poetry

forest,

and

cave

theatres

are

and

in,

steps

forms

Turns

them

local

from

the

greatness

past
on

the

strange
a

world

as

of

banks

shapes
that

bodies

seen

the

look
knows

the

gives

ever

of

records

to

facts

will

wanting,
the

lake

and

void

river,

forth

poet's

pen

airy nothing

so

inhabit

sternly

antiquity
in

sculptured
and

Nile
with

it

and

beings

they

imagine

name.''

unreal
be

misty

and

and

of

valley,

unknown,

shapes,

to

vanish

not

things

will

supply

song

imagination

habitation

Traditions
will

of

conceives

by fancy,

peopled
**as

The

mind

and

mountain

Where

it

Are

oi

even

know,

and

myth

passionate

knowledge

define.

to

attempt

has

comprehension.

past

what

Hamlet/'

"
"

mind

longing
things

us.**

defend

grace

their
them

the
mute

but

the

air,

and

commanded;

and

relics

the

ruins

stupendous
plains of
stony

of

Assyria,

eyes

imperfectly,

upon
and

FICTITIOUS

vainlyattempts
of their

unriddle

to

the unfathomable

Western

being.

SYMBOLIC

AND

nations, with

their

ideas

national
The

in

their

and

imagination, Gorgons

and

to

characteristics.
of

creatures

the

Chimeras

Hydras

and

terrible

begot

of

'^

dire,''shapes lovelyand

the timid
imaginative,
dreamy poetic fancies of

and

the

shapes

minds

credulous

in the

unreason

the

of

or
superstitious,"

fairies and

of whom

elves

sing so sweetly:

poets
*^

benign or
expanded the
genius

suited

manner

growing

of

civilisations,conjured up
monsters
baneful
influence, or
engrafted and
older

mystery

Shapes from
From

out

And

from

Full

in the

the

invisible

world

unearthly singing

the

middle

the

pillowy silkiness

air,from

speculation of

the

flowery nests
that

rests
^"

stars,
"

Kbats.

**

Whose

Or

midnight revels,by

fountain,

Or

fairyelves,

or

dreams

belated

some

he

nameless
of

powers
wastes

sees,

more

such

and
the

imaginary

be

vague

dreaded
and

sees.

"

Paradise

horrors

LcstyBook
of

the

i.

unknown

pestiferousinhabitants
loneliness
assault

terrors

hand, assuming forms

every
to

peasant

placeswhere

desert

and
on

dreads

darkness,

and

forest side

'*

Milton,
the

the

than

indefinable

aught

more

of

preme,
reigns su-

the

traveller

various
mortal

of

and

birth,

ideas, ^Megends fed

"

by

IN

CREATURES
time

and

like

chance/'

of time

ART

in

rumours

air, in

the

the

nite
tangibleshape, receivingdefiexpression by the poet and artist until they

course

become

fixed

assume

in

the

mind

popular

realities

stern

as

influencingthe thoughts and habits of millions of

them
people through successive generations.We
see
in

the

fetish of

rude

and

myriad gods
well

last the

which
and

forked

all.

The

ideas

the

The

absurd

almost

dying

valley of

in

"

of them

witch

the

creed

dominance

Protestant

thousands
sexes

and

of

cent
inno-

accused

were

impossible crimes, and

Christian

about

of

and

torture
to

death.

through

pass

death, in the words

his faith in the

jected
sub-

of

nearness

of
the

the
the

spirit

see

form

I hear

To

the

the

beautiful and

revealed
and

old

under

of

inconceivable

poet, expresses
world

mockery
the

and
but

hoofs

brow, cloven

both

and

and

shadow

the

mythology, as
mediaeval
Europe, of

unreal

alike,hundreds

of all ages

most
to

of

**

Islander, the

heathen

during centuries,

lands

victims

Sea

horned

with

tail is the mdst

these

Catholic

of

devil

days of Diabolism
however, passed away ;

are,

of

of

monsters

of
superstitions

in the

as

South

the

mind

and

cannot

ye

voice

ye

minded
spiritually

reduced
penance,

; the
to

in

an

hear/*

cannot

other

less of the

themselves

see

hideous

inore

and

frightful,
solitaryrecluse,his body

unnatural

mental

forms, with

by

ing
fast-

beheld

his

condition

hallucination

FICTITIOUS

with

celestial visitants

towering in
extremest

The

space.

and

darkness

of heaven

his ecstatic gaze

to

realityas tangibleas

felt

and

seen

of the

by

classic fable

sordid

we

into

In all ages

armorial.

certain

explainby myths
been

unable

which

tortoise

the

were

breath

of

pulses

of

Thor

infernal deities.

In

being

wonderful

stories

influence.

The

Innumerable

extent
over
as

We

of power
the human

the

ocean

the

term

the

Norse

as

of

to

round

their power

devour

the

the sun^

mooUy

which

these

peculiarbeliefs

mind.

We

still speak of mad

mercurial

we

as

say,

own

and

be caused

from

people

read

serpents,

sea

trace

our

the

Jupiter,the
forges of the

to
imagine eclipses

seek

; the tides

legends we

upon

related

are

rational

of

were

looked

to

which

lightning was

old

sought

of the earth

its back

on

ot

many

more

thunderbolt

which

limatics" gloomy

people we

earth

beliefs cluster
may

minds

nature

awakening

the

Chinese

by great dragons

stars.

the

; volcanoes

waterspouts

and

for in

account

the

demons,

of

hammer

carried

of

capable
in-

introduced

has

man

of

natures,

have

phenomena

Earthquakes were

manner.

of

to

heralds

lation
reve-

powers

for very

indebted

are

which

has

higher conceptions, and whose

chieflythrough their terrors.

accessible

coats

seraphim

was

the

were

more

the fictitious animals

he

and

in

saw

glory to illimitable height and

the whole
rapt seraph and

of

blaze

angelichost

To

adoration, and

and

awe

cherubim
angelsand archangels,

visions

were

SYMBOLIC

AND

sun.

language
have

and
the
had

people

saturnine, sprightly
*'

Ill-starr*d event,"

CREATURES
"c.

The

"c.

motion

ships

sails and

and

masts

astonishment

and

of

veneration.
and

transformed

winged Pegasus
"*

said

was

In

romantic

as

well

the

in

are

be

will bear

is

current

in

of

his

Essay

**

the

every

prodigies.

description of
a

and
on

for

The

preface

to

and

the

savages

of whom

has his intellectual

man

these

faith.

is

there

things are

They

found

are

of reason;

discourse

in

And

man.

diflPerent

scene."

people

productions

of

and

If

in any

an

elephant,we

phenomenon

by

same

the

usual
to

the

of

means

introduction
encounter

we

may

the

ofifer

nature

romance

unknown

Chivalry,"

^^that

part of the world, the

narrative

Sir Walter

And

Romance

idea, adds,

same

diversifyingfictitious

that

the

mythologicaland

**

societythe fictions of

and

appearances

of

say,

correspondingresemblance, notwithstanding

followingup
fancy, in

language and

diflFerences of time

Scott,

for

fishes.

his

all

among

wherever

words,

and

vol. ii. 1817,

imaginationand

there

states

birds

bodily appetite,and

his

as

other

utmost

taken

ship was

Southey, in

full account

any

food of his

similar

the

to

tales

wherever

the

they

nothing but a ship with ssuls

the ofBpring of Neptune.

was

d' Arthur,"

have

with

some
originated,

into

reality,"says

"Morte

we

The

hence

objectsof

of the countries

be received

to

be

winged dragons, griffons,

flyingcitadels,

men

hence

early navigators^with

the inhabitants

to

living animal,
and

the

for directing
their
requisites

other

visited,causing them

fables

of

ART

their speed,would
influencing

or

respect

IN

the

clude
reasonably con-

in

Europe

must

FICTITIOUS

6
have

been

seen

the

monster
seen
a

or

whoever

lion

and

the

fictitious

whoever

latter ; and

or

has

easilyaggravate

may

the

of

similar exercise

has

eagle,may,

an

invention, imagine

griffon

hippogriff."

Beyond
the

of

wolf,

but

by conferringon

former

of

East

the

bird

wings

heard

or

by

and

the

of

terrors

from

borrowed

serpent

SYMBOLIC

AND

the

popular

experiencesof every-day

common

mind

everywhere

cares

very

to

seems

be fond

to

mystery,

crave

marvellous, and doubtless

it

was

little about

Human

truths.
simple commonplace practical

nature

of riddles

ever

and

so

life

and

the

provided

for in all the old faiths of the world.

"

it is

dragons,diverse

fears and

the
reflecting
races,

of

multitude

The

fancies

than

more

of

probable is

the

relic of

such

remote

Jews

was

modern

the

it

superstitionwhich

Notwithstanding the
old

find the

mediaeval

(Louis
The
may

dragon

about

serpent

F.

he

too,

than

more

no

the

the

ancient

which

something of
the scales.

tail reveals

on

supersede.

to

under

retains

ever

laid

curse

his

we

the

In the

descent."

Day.)

fictitious

be divided

mentioned

forms

early

Fergusson,
religionof the
at

intended

was

various

him, if

devil,

fact, levelled

in

the

Mr.

antiquitythat the
in comparison, the

being,

serpent

are,

diflFerent

most

serpent-worship which, accordingto

is of

they

as

in

beings
into

used

two

Holy Writ,

imaginationwhich,

from

symbols

as

classes
and
the

in

heraldry

(i) Celestial beings

those

creatures

earliest ages, have

of the
held

CREATURES

possessionof

anything in
the
ideas

heavens

the

embodied

in

of

of

dragon,

the

beneath

earth

They

abstract

be

may

terrible

the

as

that stands
quality,
imperishable within the walls

Museum

forms

such

of

of

one

any

of

parts

the

as

those

purely imaginativeclass,and

animals, yet unlike

in

or

divine

some

compounded

creatures

tangibleshape, such

National

our

earth.

and

calm, immovable,

in the

or

the

the type of

creature,

ART

minds, profound symbols unlike

men's

under

waters

IN

different

them, each

real

possessing

tional
specialsymbolic attributes, according to the tradiheld
ideas
(2) Animals
concerning them.

purely heraldic, such

incensed, heraldic

for

other

other

on

resulting from

ideas

objects in natural
herald
painters,to
animals

with

natural

tiger,panther
their

owe

ideas, and

be

must

grounds, namely, the

imperfect knowledge
history by
whom

they

were

no

as

counted
ac-

mistaken

of these

writers

early

and,
qualities,

origin

and

doubt

real

such, according

knowledge, they depictedthem ; and although

the study of natural
lighthas been thrown
upon

their

to
more

history

their

since
have

been

heraldic

known

still retained

are
were

and
"*

antelope,"c.,

significanceto

and

heraldic

the

as

such

as

proved

shapes of
in

the

tales," always

their

of

ceptions
con-

the well-

These

little chance

full of

misleading histories

their

erroneous,

armory.

have

of

of these lusus

many

modern

they could

many
be

to

they probably accepted

travellers'

and

time, and

nature

animals

of

seeing,
descriptionsfrom
the

marvellous

still earlier

"

writers.

and

Pliny
certain

many

fable ;

the

even

points

when

and

would

he

this

blow

with

the

of

it

Nicander,

power

fire into.which

it

at

or

extinguish.

It

the

fruit became

in it
and

Quoth

hath

he

The

"'

the power

from

seven

it.

in

to

years

there

Such

is the

"

mander
sala-

heraldry,
mous,"
veno-

the' ancients
It

the

was

very

behold."

all

wise
other-

and

ugly

**

to

Pliny

agree

credited
ac-

sight
Elian,

in that

it

immediately extinguishing
any
that it would
it well

that

touched

if it crept
Even

extinguishit."
if

will be
monstrous

over

Bacon

how
was

to
tainly
cer-

its saliva
a

tree

all

believed

liveth in the fire

salamander

that

by

rush

even

knew

its bite

that

deleterious.

lingeringpopular belief
for

fearful

anything

poisonous, nay,

dogs' hair

aversion.

believed

was

mortal, that
became

and

flame, which

the

charge

toad,

put, and

was

if

The

regarded by

and

of

hot

that

the

and
qualities,

Dioscorides

So

**

bodies/'

their

was

and

instance,

for
irritated,

tips of

the

the

wondrous

possessed the

is

he

horror

abominable

^^

us

frequentoccurrence

salamander

with

for

some

that is,the tusks

"

at

Like

utmost

is in

just dead

they

when

singe

not

is

absurdest

the hairs will shrivel up

is alive

class.

the

him

by

describe

day
the

appears

he

them

in flames, of
is of

his

Xenophon,

when

hot

he misses

when

that

described

upon

boar

the

of

writers

hunt, gravely tells

tusks

actuallyred

are

way

lion

layshairs

person

boar

boar's

the

the

unnatural.

most

describinga
are

of
in

animals

SYMBOLIC

AND

FICTITIOUS

There

fire has

been

salamander
character

is,too,

burning
produced

given

to

CREATURES
one

of

only

basis of truth

the

from

its skin

Spenser,in

according to

ART

of

harmless

most

fact that

is the

IN

little

it exudes
alarmed

when

acrid

an
or

the

"Fairy Queen/*

the

mistaken

"

As

when

By muddy

of the

Doth

of

The

foolish man,

His

and

And

and

that

his

^^as the
sorrow

Quarles, too,ln
'^

what

Composed

in

such

**

pitiesall

VI.

Nile,

heraldic

world

tears

unawares

another's

iii. i

cares."

crocodile

"

is

this.

insnaringwiles

writer of

of his

with

guile,

while

the

mournful

of treach'rics and

his readers

treacherous

shedding tender

Emblems

crocodilian

after the model

edified

pares
time, com-

relentingpassengers."

snares

his

Bossewell, an

his harmful

that minds

own

2 Henry
Shalj;espeare,

With

18,

v.

the crocodile

plight,is swallowed

mournful

Forgetfulof

his

seven-mouthed

guise hiding

full sore,

weep

i, cant.

perilouswandering ways,
cruel,craftycrocodile,

in false

Doth

humour

watery

Book

notions

of broad

shore

Unweeting
Which

of fable

traveller that strays

weary

meet

the

pain.

in

dangerous dissimulation
Duessa
(or Falsehood) to

of

creatures

for all this superstructure

the
tears

the

sixteenth

forerunner, Gerard

comments

on

!"

natural

tury,
cen-

Leigh,
history

manner
delightful
(accordingto his friend
of Pliny in
Roscarrocke) as to provoke the envy
a

FICTITIOUS

10

AND

Elysium, though
instances

these

now

With

it

description,is

descriptionsin

call up

to

serve

absurdity.

very
this

only

SYMBOLIC

an

in the

error

unperceived,it

form

of

may

be

an

animal

heraldry,natural

on

illustrated

publications,the

correctlydelineated.

seen

as

fore

the

rest

same

as

way

to

the

in

unobserved,
heralds

old

the

of

some

They

could

manner

it

it is
in

the

When

cow.

commit

this

be afforded

againstzoolc^y

arisingfrom
have

be

mation
for-

his

bend

palliation
may

delusions

in other

whereas

to

offences

the

quadrupeds,

the

or

in

rarelyto

same

legs to

the horse

how

perpetuated

is

knees,

hind

for their

and

errors

information.
of

of

those

other

in

some

of

even

in the

herald-painterscontinue

artists and
blunder

The

be

in
peculiarity

its four

on

usuallydepicted with

instance

history,and

legs,so that, unlike

and

kneel

can

of
of

emblems

elephant

of
such

use

that

legsbend

the hind

is that

made

mentioned

best books

that

at

may

their

histories

be wondered

beings as those referred to were

heraldry and accepted as types or
?
As
an
particular
qualityin man

from

**

veracious

"*

to

smile

many

little

lack

of

opportunity

kinds
knowledge of the rarer
acquiringa correct
animals
the advantage of seeing
not
; they had

menageries of wild beasts, or of consultingbooks

natural
on
as
history with excellent illustrations,
do.
when
herald
their
the modern
Only
may
information

scanty
draw
the

on
manner

their
of

fell short

did

they

venture

to

imaginationsfor their beasts, after

ancient
where
an
worthy, who
"

IN

CREATURES
lion's

the

fell

skin

ART
it

eked

short,

ii

with

out

the

fox's."
Some

writers,however,
not

are

exaggerationof
needful

true

in

mouth,

and

nose

seems

ears,

like

phon, already referred

descriptionof
natural

and

unnatural
that

its destructive

own

blood

and

Early
that

piety
"

"

as

some

boar, by
of

Xeno-

the

neous
erro-

This

accountingfor
the

its

also

brute,and

head

is

fairlybe

fitlytypified
by

the

the

of this bloodthirsty

of prey.

beast

the

to

the heraldic

the

Christian

of devoted

heralds

the head

when

the

once

paintersalways represented
Pelican
self-sacrifice,.-^

is, feeding her

having

heraldic
tiger,

persistentfollowingof

pattern" by

this emblem
her

from

however,

most

similar
early artists,

established.

of its

Pelican^ again, is evidentlya mistake

antelope,"c.,

in

of

issuingfrom

Heraldic

**

result

ferocityof

treacherous

traditional

the

may,

are
qualities,

flame

and

of the

It

natural

the

devouring

the

The

out

if taken

probable mode

appearance.

resemble

to

terrified traveller.

some

noble

the

smoke

of

that
or

be

may

its contortions.

as

to-"

fore
there-

functions

idea

distorted

fiiry of

"

The

been

have

misleading history

said

this

of

intended

they were

shapes and

Under

strosities
mon-

ignorance

qualities.This

such

express

in the

cat

that

as

incensed^breathingfire and

Panther

of

result

natural

instances.

some

wild

the

to

the

of the lion may

form

the

these

and
extraordinary qualities,

typify certain

was

that

of the beasts

the real forms

to

much

so

maintain

and

with

young
beak

of

an

her

eagle

CREATURES

12

of

bird

or

with

lacerate

could
and

reptiles
Some

is
"

to

are

their

no

powerful

again,

old

claim

emblems

Greek

of

such

no

this

other
under

body
^the
"

sign
doubt,
class.

not

to

this

suited

to

arms

it

to

it

possible

that

with

clumsy

the

of

species

gobble

bird,
small

up

itself.
real

neither
the

as

that

The

they
eagle^

have

each
lion

tricorporate

than

the

the

of

symbol
head

guiding

one

of

do

nor

two-headed

inventions

be

to

triune

will,

are

be

and

signification.

legs confnned

three

"

heraldic

pure

special

lays

more

fabulous,

be

to

believed

have

would

peculiar

vulning

symbols,

pretend
but

than

"

bill

"

it

ART

must

breast

own

know

we

they

as

which

its

ungainly

which

an

such

prey

and

possess,

IN

Isle

of

the

Man

^is
"

for

expedition.
occur

to

the

Many
reader

other

of

stances
in-

similar

Botes

on

in

^nimatetr

JleraUiric

t^eings
^rt

Bottii

^ntmateti

on

in
**

One
most

the

JleraUrit ^xi

chiefsource

of

illustration is
in its power

and
brilliant^

effective
of the

most

tJetngs

Arts"

be

to

character

on

in

found

the

hitherto
^

HERALDRY:^

RUSKIN,
**

Relation

of Wise

and

Art

is

ERALDRY
of

science
is

symbols.

subjectto

it.

insists
definite
a

and

the

carries

on

the

rules

of

observance

at

any

intended,
heraldic
no

matter

emblem
with

time

and

with

once

what

it may

the

be

symbol

its

of certain

constitutingit
which

cise
con-

as

it is

or

series of symbols

remains

amount

of

termed),
for

unchangeable,

naturalness

with

one

any
from

may,

adopted

or

meaning

the contrary,

perfect accuracy

done,

regular

or

observance

acquaintedwith heraldic language

wri tten_description (or blazon
reconstruct

exact

no

the

vice
pictorialde-

Heraldry, on

easily understood

science, by

Science."

excellence

far

law, provided it
with

Wise

what

or

ventionality
con-

quaintness

FICTITIOUS

intact.

remains

idea, and

immutable

other,

Notwithstanding
be

heraldry to

styleof

the

greatest

of the rudiments

language, and
it without

the

when

which

discredit

animal

an

No

artists in

to

it is
very
unkind
the

fancy of
it is

much
treatment

Royal

Arms.

in

if it

as

is made

to

result

living

express

only

can

be

those

to

it is
the

upon

head

of

the

subject,

the

most

ignorant
position
admits

skilful

designerbecomes
and

treated
A

To

more.
a

lion is

mild

meted

out

to

The

lion

and

the

in

law

way

herald

true

the

see

supporters

unicorn

to

lion

only a

instance,
the

of

able
unwarrant-

otherwise

by

moment.

As

the

(though it

find the

posed

more.

armorial

an

heraldic

what

The

nothing

of

brought

blazoned

depictingit.

him, and

seems

is

part

frequently taken

himself, and

suit the

as

absurdities

inattention

matter

be

may

latitude

unto

is

we
interpretation),

only one

well

as

Heraldry

the

every

fall upon

designeralone.
of

it

attempt

dispositionof

should

tive
decora-

regulate the attiiudcythe tinctures^

principleswhich
achievement,

any

acquire a knowledge

of the science.

proper

the

with
or

and

errors

to

knowledge
By
unmitigated nonsense.

and

and

everywhere

attitude

many

essential

considered

not

artistic

intention

evident

the

constantly perpetrated. To
was

fixed

receive.

symbolic,in

find

tinctures,we

dragon^**or

confounded

be

to

the

it may

treatment

in

not

what

matter

no

"

symbol

; the

figure is, therefore, a

heraldic

other

any

treated

rampant^'*

Hon

"

be

it may

gfotesqueness

even

or

SYMBOLIC

AND

are

of

both

CREATURES
**

and

rampant,"

the

(termed

spectator

be

represented

be

found

the

of

elsewhere

we

"

here

may

the

being

of

meaning
Early
use

and

from

and

for

stones.

the

alone,

be

discussed

onwards.

of
in

By

ranged

and

the

eleventh

the

half -mysticalobservances
half-religious,

the

very

**

it

Decorative

was

his

the

of

Heraldry/' by

G-

know."

W.

had
"

people
into

chivalry,

knight being
to

the

heads,

romantically

duty

Lapidaria

life of

entered

valiant

it

various

under

whose

from

treatises

its

the

an

symbolic

symbols,

whole

the

from

doubt.

no

It

permeated

also

was

for birds, and

which

we

work

the

on

in

meanings

if ashamed

as

heraldry, far

of

full

were

of

shield

prancing, or

beasts, Volucaria

armour

sented
repre-

"

was

religious uses,

are

admirable

can

Art

systemised and
for

and

much

designs, there

become

Bestiaria

round

colour

its

century

they

most

beauty

second

or

vocation.

depending

meaning

tudes
atti-

special function.

their

seek

one

Christian

supporting

begging dogs,

their

form

will

not

newspaper

and

decorative

imaginative

is

capering

quote

of

that

to

fantastic

"

them

and

content

and

heraldry

sitting,like

them

That

strange

in

hide

at

see

of themselves
I

most

Times

the

playing
find

in

shield, which

head

the

towards

regulation positions,they

recognised

guarding

Not

guardani).

the

depicted

not

At

in

\^

lion is turned

of the

head

the

ART

IN

Eve,

"

full of

FICTITIOUS

i8

The
It

AND

be evident

thought

conveyed

be

an

animal

is

to

depicted ;

arbitrarysigns,like
themselves

of

the

"

term

tossed mane,

staringeyes,

combat

betoken

brute.

How

looking
restful

alike to

plays

needful

only

cite

created
in which

or

as

an

such

refer

to

instance

beings,and
imperious

portrayed,the
depictedshould

an

action
not

ask

in

or

of

his pose,

calmly

emblem

enforce

to

one

point

law

of
on

of

may

in

which
be

examples,

noblest
the
be

sity
neces-

it may

two

the

positionin

the

part,

or

whether,

indicate

the

prepared

power,

the heraldic

himself

man

noble

the

conveyed by

important
to

for the

defend.

be needed

to
adhering strictly

attitude

and

attack

wildly

up

couchant^ fit

conscious

reasons

any

majesty
or

vigilanceand

Should
of

him

idea

his

cular
; his mus-

of

power

the

meet

with

braced

and

energy

firm

the

before

instant

the

the

legs to

claws

"^

lion in

guly mouth

diflferent is the
in

statant

distended

and

mere

alphabet,which

depicted

and

not

whatever.

hind

is therefore

He

meant

in which

figuresare

suggests,

his

is

attitude

meaning

no

antagonist.

lion

such

fighting,
rearingon

limbs

the

given any

idea

letters of the

the

is,as

has

definite

by

and

convey

lion rampant
act

mind

the

to

Position

or

who

one

every

subjectthat

the

to

to

of

of Attitude

Symbolism

must

SYMBOLIC

of

all
acts

many

heraldically

which

the
distinctly

he

is
idea

to

be

that

CREATURES
is

associated

be

to

with

the

old

the

vauntingly,like

ART

IN

19

? whether
representation

kings,
"

high exactinglook

with

''

Sceptred and globed

"

attributes

of his
power,

of

benediction,

the

act

mediaeval

^the three savage

"

of Viscount

shield
over

the field

each

the

Halifax,

or

"

seal of the

the

on

primary

men

prayer

as

on

ambulant

on

the

dead

the

city of

but

idea is man^

saint in

bishop or

kneeling in

"

seals,

as

or

"

strewn

men

Lichfield

how

in

"

diflerent

the

It will therefore be understood

1
that
signification
action or posture, or any of the various
the particular
real
be
forms
in which
or
imaginary creatures
may
in

blazoned

heraldry,givesthe keynote

which,

in

this

respect, is

to

its interpretation,

nothing

if not

symBoIK
It will be
in any
the

with
the

considered.

the

or
qualities

the

mknner

meaning

intended
be thus

may

(i)

The

to

be

symbol
whether

"

is in the
real

for

taken
we

or

some

in

ciate
asso-

in

or

conveyed by

composition,

the

phase

of

^The

primary

idea

in

the

particularbeing represented,
fictitious,
as

eaglCya dragon^"c.,
character

attributes

as

complete idea

formulated

Creature.

These,

plied
im-

well

represented, indicate

creature

threefold

and

be

attitude^must

with

interpretthe meaning

to

charge, the tinctureSyas

particular

combination

that

seen

of the

form

man^

and

lion^an

accepted

particular
qualityor

attri-

FICTITIOUS

20

of

bute

SYMBOLIC

AND

mind

body,

or

fierceness^valour^

as

"c,
fleetness,
'

(2) Attitude,
in

(3)

^The

"

which

it

denoting some

panty

dormant^ "c.
sejant^

heraldic

tinctures, as

ram^

(that

proper

of

of

some

the

tincture, according to

heralds, bearing

old

as

(gold), gules (rcd)^

or

vert^ "c., each

azure^

the

blazoned

nature) or

is, according to

portions

specialmeaning,

Whether

"

or

depicted in heraldry,

be

may

each

Tincture,

attitudes

various

particularand

special
signification.
introduced

always

from

adopted

themselves

in many

instances

families

Hence

the

Guillam
tne

"

in

which

lays down

They

he

noble

and
qualities,
bearers.

given wholly

so

The
.

the

"

to

charge

an

be

to

system
be

to

of

arms

the

same.

of creatures

and
interpreted,
can

be

interpretedin
their
the

most

regulated.
the

generous

best
and

greatest honour

of

is full of wit, and withal

/i?Jf

filchingfor
of

be

all sorts

which

is,accordingto

that

their

colour alone

blazoning.
general rules regarding

some

says,

as

in

accuracy

consistent

must,"

otherwise

ensignsare

or

sense,

be

would

necessityfor

alone

the
servingto distinguish

that

arms

arbitrary

as

merely, and

equallyhonourable

symbolic meaning by

borne

by

distinction

for

not

principlesor

symbolicmeaning, but

any

being in

many

however,

were,

scientific

these

on

of colour

variations

devices

armorial

in

Tinctures

his prey.

escutcheon,

we

If, then, this

must

concdve

CREATURES

the

quality represented

but

his

not

beasts.

pilfering

Even

forth

their

and

also
In

natured

is

\yf

peculiar

in

the

and

this

dignity

or

stag^

of

beings

one

wolf

and

and

the

represented,

as

lodged

bay

one

just
from

at

or

will
as

creatures

attitudes

various

keep
one

another.

in

stag

the

attitude

same

for

lion

thus

field, the
conveys

stamps

in

for

seek

libn

lion

their

to

they

speedy

between

other

which

lation,
re-

as

according

at

some

twofold

kinds,

the

and

other

divers

Idnd,

rampant

than

rather

as

have

or

and

thing depicted

the

may

lamb

most

particular respect

in

of

gentle-

disposition

art

some

courani

they

their

nature,

to

positions

or

fierceness

or

in

its

Heraldic

nobility

or

betwixt

one

forth

set

action

or

setting

in

though

figures .it accepts,

quality

use,

tious
ficti-

and

peaceable

each

dignity

emblematic

special

be

other

qualities.

agreeable

of

note

of

so

animals

enemies,

of

sorts

character.

opposite

an

and

qualities, as

action,

most

'*

cunning,

heraldry delights

must

kindly

which

that

all

and

ruthless

detestable

most

manner

and

and

21

wit

stealing

overcoming

creatures

noble

in

possess

like

hi^

commendable

most

courage

may

and

symbolic

creatures,

be

to

wild

in

ART

IN

and

may
a

be

stag

coward
"

safety in flight,

dififerent

signification

FICTITIOUS

22

Spirit" Effective

Heraldic

The

SYMBOLIC

AND

Quality essential
It will be

observable

designerimbued

less

or

displayof

Fierce

and

savage

energy

and

angry
made

are

monster
to

strong

his

beasts

plates and

so

to

all the

and

spread the

of

the

is,however,
not

go.

form
a

He

symbolic attitude, nor

scarcely at
the

mane

libertyto
of

his

on

artist

limit

not

change
add

wings
are

impenetrable
fire and

is

he lashes his tail

careful

is most

shield

or

banner

that

once.

may

take

his licence

may

In

his claws

in his interpretation

bird, beast, or

to

full of

trsuts.

in

artist

displayedat
of

occupy.

leathern

wide,

his eyes,

out

libertythe

Whatever

he may

harmless

are

the

creature

shall be

all his powers

there

while

modate
accom-

look

scales,his breath

flame, lightningdarts from

to

tures
gentle-naturedcrea-

is clothed

he

with

must

to

; his

of

fury ;

they

terrors

sharp ;

in

made

dragon tribe,strong

jaws

jects,
ob-

more

is conastent

as

of the

and

armour

while

retain their

to

shapes

made

are

power,

all
spirit,

assume

space

capable

after their kind

charge,are
the

to

of

hands

heraldic

far

as

the

themselves

add

true

conventional, and,

effective

the

necessities,and

decorative

to

the

inanimate, conform

and

animate

in

with

Heraldry

in

that

decorative

alter
the

feature.

monster,

beyond

the

recognised

tincture
He

which

may

he

is

curl

lion, fancifully
develop its tongue

CREATURES

tail,

and

is

there

and

display

little

wings,
it

totally

or

it

is

with

be

to

23

for

manner

nature

but

another
A

which

if

of

plurality

symbol.*

more

in

becomes

instantly

ART

in

authority

no

different

claws

its

endow

or

tails,

IN

heads

reticence

commended

than

or

and

creature

wise

add

he

in

ment
treat-

fanciful

such

extravagance.
The

early

exaggerate

in

of

for

animals

have

reached

and

their
the

history,

leading

of

words
brilliant

"

The

adapted

Day.

in

and

the

**

state

it

(effective

most

notes

admirable

on

from
of

heraldic
works

at

the

on

the

treatment

Decorative

their
natural

present

should,

as

"hitherto
of

capable,

was

century,

been

has

art

heraldry

twentieth

the

art

to

appear

gdned

of

to

characteristics

knowledge

symbolic

Ruskin,

above
from

extended

and

place

be

may

strivings

display,
their

which

advanced

decorative

day,

of

lessons

the

and

effective

most

the

the

manner

limits

With

their

in

heralds,

and

conventional

important

works.

F.

artists

take
in

the

the

most

Arts."

largely

are

Art,

by

Louis

Celestial

htinqa

"

"

They

boast ethereai

From

seeds

Down
He

vigour and

ofAeaveniybirth.**

hither prone

Sails between
on

Winnows

the

infiight

world

and

and

loves

has

the divine

thought of

them

with
with

sky

steadywings

Milton.

"

the

and

purer
nature.

and

be

endowed

ministers

beneficence,

with

and
intelligence,
In

all ages

represented them

mind

the

Archangels

omnipotence
to

quickfan

in believing
these
delights

beings

to

ethereal

contemplate as

to

of God's

nearer

world

air**

"NGELS

and

vast

polar wind^ then

the buxom

and

Virgil.

"

speeds^and tbrtm^ the

Now

arejorm^d

celestial
a

higher

as

being

civilised
in

art

man

as

of

FICTITIOUS

28

form
and

and

his own,

like to

SYMBOLIC

AND

attributes

with

of

volition

fies
suggestedby wings. Scriptureitself justisimilitude
sented
; the Almighty is sublimely repre-

power
the

Wings

walking

**

as

have

always

the

upon

the

been

symbol

emblem

could

element

found

be

birds

than

to

is

for

rapid

wings

we

No

have

however
cally
anatomi-

and

be,

may

apter

resistless

and

of birds ; and

as
figuratively

that

man

of

attribute

or

air.

spiritor

appendages

it
impossible,

will

the

or

incongruous such
God's

of the

or

wind,'*

of the

Deity.

Egyptian Winged

volition^of mind^

wings

the messengers

view

to

come

of

these

celestial habitants.

The

idea

of

from

existed

suggestionof
type

heavens,
the

celestial
look

must

we

Assyria.
in

adding wings to the

remote
antiquity,and

In
was

Egyptian
sometimes

marbles

displayingfour
"

See

to

of

beings of
the
art,

art

the

works

for

the

has

earliest

winged human
of Egypt and

Neith, the goddess of the

represented with

Nineveh

wings.*

form

human

we

In

find

classic

wings, and

human
art

figures
wings

Audsley** ** Glossaryof Architecture," "Angel,"

p.

are

loi.

CREATURES
certain

given to
probably
and

borrowed

"

their

in

to

and

tradition

wings
rather

of

as

celestial

their

implied

white

**my

and

more

Seraphim

and

The

Wings

like

the

of

and

most

in

the

and

by

long

white

Cherubim

Variously

lightning and
St. Mark

as

his
"

garment."

winged beingsare
Scriptures.
as

in the

Coloured.'"^ot

simple departure in form

Middle
the early and
Age
a

figure,

the
particularlywhen
described
by St. Matthew,

snow,"

clothed

birds

winged

Otirit, which, having

wrestles

was
as

and

of

most
piercingeye
to exrapid flight,tenret
the
divine
intelligence and
preM
in the
activity. (Palace of Nimrod
LouTre.)

the

his

Sepulchre is

the

Hawk-headed

plains all

described
perfectly

more

as

emblem

as

angel,

countenance

man

be

Jacob

**His
raiment

and

visitors

at

The

usually

addresses

Angel

young

Jewish

in the

lord," when
the

ceptance
ac-

expressed,

than

Mamri

with

and

to

appear

and

Art.

men,

Abraham

when

of

writ

in many

as

all future

angels are

spoken

"

Jews

Egyptians,

in this

adopted

for

of Christian

holy

In

the

The

practice

it

through
epochs

genii.

from

idea

power,

fixed

doubtless

and

29

attribute

of the

sanction

ART

existing
symbolical

the

express

of swiftness
the

the

instances

other

art

divinities

early Christians

the

ideas

IN

from
artists

content

all natural
resorted

to

with

wings,
many

FICTITIOUS

30

AND

invest their

expedientsto

characteristics.

Colour

SYMBOLIC

angels'wings with unearthly

was

fertile field for their

and they lavished

ingenuity,

all their brilliant hues

in

orders
of
separatingthe several
accentuatingor
feathers
the
comprising the wings; now
rivalling
of the
contrasts
rainbow, now
applyingthe startling
most

other
times
tropicalbutterfly
; at
tipping the richlypainted feathers with

gorgeous

sprinklingor
burnished

gold, or

them

making

alive

appear

with

brilliant eyes.
Vesiure.

of

spoken

In

"

St.

by

classic tunica

and
"

**

colour.

Angels
; and

Church

of

of

invested

Middle

Age
"

throughout

the

^The

nimbi

given

rays, sometimes
with

ornament,

but

which

reserved
specially

was

trinity.

^that

almost

range

of

orders

of

art.
to

all the

angelichierarchyare circular in form,

fields either plain or covered
with
numerous
or

the

they were

were

whole

the

lines

of

nimbus

they

of

works

"

which

the

brilliant

every

centuries

the

with

During

fifth century

without

divinity with

always

Nimbus.

the

previous to

bound

in the

appear

first six

the

invariably represented
attribute

often

in

variably
in-

resembling

garments

clad

vesture

almost

John,

Revelation.

were

not

during

executed

art

do

white

pallium,sometimes

golden girdle
mediaeval
period they
the

St.

of

consisted

the

Art

and

Matthew

adopted,
the

Christian

Early

never

with
the

broad

with

ing
radiatborders

tri'-radiate

for the

their

persons

of

form,
of

the

IN

CREATURES

Lord

find,

we

says

ecclesiastical

the

to

the

far

as

of

that

Athens,
of

angels

second

Cherubim

and

of

angels

of

ofiice

Fallen

of

and

and

Angels.

^We

are

be

to

in

Ages

they

could

be
horns

them

with

and

Milton's
noble

like

the

to

all

are

angels
before

of

the

Tradition

the

that

of

with

in

conception

hideous

as

of

and
of

tail, which
the

the

Spirit
Satan

of

evil
the

Middle

manner

as

Satyr

last

Apocalypse,

the

These

of the
a

in

frequently

so

artists

generally

more

Supreme

devils

the

By

from

for

used

now

doing good.

the

writ.

fell

rest,

transformed

so

are

instead

hoofs

and

from

powers

Dragon

the

termed

are

placed

becoming

depicted

are

the
of

assumes

holy

conceived,

with

In

evil

identified

mentioned

Seraphim

which

that

so

learn

all their

doing

given

"

pristine purity,

of

the

domination.

their

purpose

is

degree

or

rest,

are

angels, originally holy

that

the

to

following places,

so

the

many

character

i.)

Dionysius,

light, which

ministry,

Book

given

termed

are

illumination

and

knowledge

angels

and

power

place

third, and

the

be

to

supposed

first

angels

31

Learning/'

is

which

principalities,

thrones,

the

the

love,

the

to

credit

as

hierarchy

of

Senator

of

('^Advancement

Bacon

ART

form

connects

the

sonation
imper-

(see Dragon).
fallen

"

magnificent proportions.

Angel

"

FICTITIOUS

32

Modern

Mistaken

poets and

Many

their

the

endeavours

well

spiritualas

of sacred

spiritualisethe

in

as

in form

human

to

appear

and

art,

in

of

character

led to

and

portray

appearance.

avoided,
carefully

be

Angels

times

in this respect been

should

error

because
the

sense

In

vigorous

principlethey represent, besides having the

of Scripture^
is more
fitlyrepresentedby man

active
warrant

than

modern

altogetherfeminine

as

This

of

traditions

to

angelicbeingshave
them

of

Conception

artists

sightof

lost

have

SYMBOLIC

AND

by

woman.

his ideas

borrowed

who

Mahomet,

mostly from

the

lowers
Christians, in this instance,possiblyto guard (lisfol-

from'

angelswith
in

pure

of

nature

to

his followers

beings for

of reason,

show

some

invented

he

paradise to which'he

idea

was

"

frequent

lured

Guardian

from

ministeringspirits"before
of

traditions

from

derived

speaks

of

"

from

and
the

the ideas

meet

of

race

too

celestial

them.

apparently evolved

holy writ,

to

another

of poets

theme

they were

"

of

sblace of the faithful in the

Ministering Spirits or
form

idolatry,said

that

adqiit of sex,'*but

delight and

the

of

form

latent

some

the

Christian

still earlier

the

Angels.
and

artists.

the

mention

of

throne

ecclesiastical

mythology
sources.

^These

"

God

legends
of

Thus

The
of
in
and

early date,
Milton

CREATURES
**

Who

in God's

Stand

of the

one

thro'

run

ART

all the

33

Seven

nearest

presence,

ready at command,

That
Bear

IN

the

to

and

his

are

heavens, and

throne

eyes

down

his swift errands."

Paradise

ancient

According to
his

or

the

aspect of
^

her

But

she

visible

some

know

as

you

Judge,

ye God, how

influences
his

the

assume

AdSJAU

!$"

Angel:

effective

iii. sc.

of

idea

him."

loved

Act

Casar^

the

so.

the

2.

good
about

unseen

protectionof

:
guardian spirits

"^

How

oft do

To

to

come

How

oft do

their silver bowers

succour

us

that

leave.
I

want

succour

golden pinions cleave

they with

pursuivant.
skies,like fljring
flitting

The

Against
They

fowle

for

to

ayde

us

militant
and

And

all for

love, and

should

regard i

nothing

heavenly God

dewly ward.
about

us

for reward

bright squadrons round

their

why

fiends

fight,they watch,

us

And

they

had

"

continuallywarring

gratitudefor

even

dearlyCaesai

Julius

Spenser finelyexpresses

was

Caesar's

was

Shakespeare,

and

it

that

'

evil

spiritcould

they,,*It is his angiV

^rutus

person

being :

constantlyaffirmed

^id

Lost^iii.

each
Jewish belief,

guardian angel,and

Then

earth

to

to

men

have

plant ;
such

and
us,

the

FICTITIOUS

34

AND

SYMBOLIC

Milton

the
nature
beautifullyassumes
pure
saintlychastityattended by ministeringspirits:
*^

thousand

liveried

And

in clear dream

Tell

her

Till oft

Begins

angelslackey her,

far off each

Driving

of

to

thing of
and

cast

no

beam

vision,
ear

gross

hear

can

the

on

outward

shape.**
"

And
woman

in

"

Scott,

in

in her

higher and

pain

in

heaven

will

Laertes,
forth

thunders

I tell

thou

to

nine

had

his

the

liest

that

the

ministeringangels
of

grave

in

Ophelia, fiercely

Art

orders

my

sister be

howling/*

Treatment

of

Angels

ecclesiastical

degreed of

sius relates that

three

prevailingidea

become

at

brow,

!"

ministeringangel shall

According

and

the

thee, churlish priest,

Mediaeval

are

anguish wring

When

there

and

expresses

heart

spiritual
sphere, says

more

ministeringangel thou

Shakespeare
pure

figurativelanguage,apostrophising

When
A

Comus.*'

"

Marmion
^

heavenly habitants

with
a

guilt,

sin and

solemn

things that

converse

of

there

are

in each

legend and tradition

angelicbeings. St* Dionythree

; and

specialmission, and

hierarchies

by
they

wise
were

of

angels
each
allegories
each

depicted

CREATURES
with

certain

in

insigniaby

examples of
with

difFerent

nine
the

ancient

of

name

ZapKkiel

According

to

The

Jrciangils

Michael

Powers

Raphael

jiuffis

Gabriel

Welby

"

mediaeval

other

and

conception

borne^

are

of

by angels:
"

"

Thuribles,

of

prayers

Costume,"

denoting the wrath of God

of God*'; Sceptres,
voice
"the
or

censers,

saints ; Instruments

the

incense

Music,

of

felicity.

their

Apparels,

or

Sapphire

tion'*; Ruby,

"divine

of

borders
for

love"^

their

"celestial

robes,

are

contempla-

Crystal,

"purity**;

unfadingyouth.'*
chief angels,and
the principal
Archangels
or
are
ambassadors.
Among these the name
extraordinary
the angel of the
Gabriel
annunciation, the
"

Emerald,

of

and
the

of

Pugin's "Glossary

emblems

jewelledwith

are

to

Hanid

the

of God

denote

each, according

yirtMis

Swords,

being the

of

follow,

as

PrincifMSHisCamiel

beings.
following

Trumpets,

classed

are

SSadchid

learn

authorities,we

power

angels

Ornament

**

in

Domhians

A.

to

Architectural

Flaming

somewhat

8ertfhim Uriel
Tkro"es

recognised

were

vary

the chief

Jophiel

CkerMm

The

they

35

periods.
of

choirs

l^end

these

which

ART

representations,which

art

The

IN

head

"

of the entire celestial

power

of

Raphael,
of God.**

God**;
**

the

hierarchy" denotes

Michael,

healii^of

God

**

who
'*

is like

Uriel,

"

"

the

God**;
the

fire

FICTITIOUS

36

is the

Anosl

of

means

strength,and
weariedness

the

messenger

earth

; and

either

are

of any

of the

their

un-

do

they

not

their readiness

will of God.

Their

their

purity,or
glory,or they

sanctityand

symbolicalcolours

tinued
con-

their

show

to

denote

to

white,

their

show

to

for

the

execute

wherefore

show

to

girt,

beings,but

show

to

sandals,

forth and

go

garments

are

of

winged

without

belong to

golden,

order

an

represented young

angels are

to

of

not

name,

office, and

an

SYMBOLIC

AND

used

in Christian

Art.
writer

the

I. Lewis

1878,

find

seldom

the Alb
The

of

Instead

'^

the

amice

tied in' a knot

of various

like

mere

richlyembroidered
is exactly like
the

it has

in

worn

the

sometimes

we

colours),

around

the

Middle
find

Ages.
scarf

neck, the ends

or

falling

in front

of

In Anne

figureof
cross

as

^*we

ecclesiastical

is sometimes

(or borders),and

priestlyvestment

down

Amice

May

that

says

other

any

(or tunic

collar ; at other times

Appahels

cloth

in

Review^

Art

architect,

angels clad

the amice.

loose

Ecclesiastical

Andri,

than

vestments

and

in

on

St.
a

dalmatic

Michael

holds

robe
a

charged

with

the banner

his head,
with

cross

of the cross,

sleeves

are

of

St.

or

crown,

richlyembroidered
partly open

at

The

sword,

George, or

else with

beautiful

rayed nimbus,

is

in his left hand.

sword

of St. Michael

has

He

circlet round

(a long

sides),and

Brittany's
prayer-book

spear

the
blems
em-

shield
with

scales in his hand.

CREATURES

Sometimes,

South

at

as

IN

ART

37

he is in

Leigh, Oxon.,

complete

armour.
*'

The

archangelsare often figuredwith

neck and
righthand, scarfs round

in the

wings,
the

sometimes

four

"

are

and

armour

The

with

loins, whilst
at

all

Gothic

is loose and

sleeves, and

short

figure;

times

both

sleeves

and

characteristic

of
figures

in the Saxon

is

broad, the nimbus

and

of

spokes

whom

alb

mantle

the

case

or

(a form

wheel
it

has loose

vesture

or

to

seems

the

cope

envelops

have

embroideries

manties

apparels.''

or

The

"

modern

from

derived

from

the

best

brilliant

doak

wings

or

has

mantle.

have

the

shows.
a

upper

and

angelswere
Here

green
The

Ages,

beautiful

as

same

does

vesture

Middle

the

colour,

golden censer

white

period when

Michael's, York,

the

taste,"says

giving angels pure

be

the

generallythe

; but

Art

favourite).The
at

of St. Ethdwold

is

as

of G;otto, with

in the work
been

at

representations
; theyhave

flowingas

wings are
generallyrayed like
have

two

the

bare,

are

saints ; the

seen

and

aureole, long hair and girded

or

feet

periods of

drapery

later

much

the

from

Benedictional

the

the nimbus

and

loins ; six

swords.

angels in

nearlyresemble
wings

trumpet

thighs. The four

frequentlyrepresented in complete

hips,the legs bare

archangeb

shoulders

the

at

tunic

an

writer,
not

*"

appear

for
to

certaintynot
clad

example

in every
at

St.

angel swinging,a

covered

with

white

brightblue, and the

parts yellow,and are tipped
nimbus

is

FICTITIOUS

38
with
has
a

deep

rich

crimson

tunic,

the

is here

mention

angel

at

the

white

the

that

else

mention

any

but

white

in

of Our

narratives

the

vesture

nowhere

Gospel

clad

angel

lightcrimson

of the white

made

with

edged

mantle

Sepulchre,and
does

Michael

St.

church,

wings, and

gold border, green

nimbus,"and
of

Goodnestowe

At

green.

SYMBOLIC

AND

in

Lord's

resurrection.
**

Often

the

angels'wings

feathered

are

and

red

the

on
as
alternately,*

Somerset

Cheddar,

at

the

wings
of

Chapter

House,

Angel

with

the

Anne

of

not

was

century
Cloud

Mediaeval

on

scribed
in-

every

corresponds

French

of

hours'

mantle

Brittany, where
with

text

an

running

border."

along the
and

wings

Symbol.

Cloud

angel (St.Gabriel) wears

It

Arcade,

text

This

with

ster
Westmin-

their

with

the

peacock, on

angels have
feather.

feathers

the Wall

; round

pulpit
times
Some-

have

like those

blue

stained
as

glassin

feathered

Symbol of the
and

to

uncommon

over

ing
carv-

like birds.

Sky''or

Renaissance

authority,employed

angelsin

the latter part of the fifteenth

all
"

represent

the

"

Air.""

Artists of the

periods,followingclassical
cloud symbol of the sky or

CREATURES
air in

their

and
allegories

saints,and

persons^

neaththe

adoption of

feet,when

beingsin
The

avoided

material

or

littU cloud under-

M^

the

emblem
fitting

most

incongruityof

shape standingupon
aerial

the

thought of

any

their divine

the apparent

human

suggestionof

obviates

divine

figureis not representedflying,

the

support, and

picturesof

denote

to

naturaUy suggested itself as

for

39

from beings**of the

distinguished

earthy." The

"

ART

sacred

martyrs,

celestial condition, as
earth

IN

the

here

support

outrage

nothing.

entirely
of

the laws

on

gravity.
Another

behind
of

of

emblem

an

"

distinguishingattribute

civil power

the

coins of

the

head.

The

borne

ecclesiastical and
with

power

the

over

or

divine

and

of
of

some

widely adopted by

the

the

is

which

Roman

was

disc

platebehind

head, of gold

colours, and^ accordbg

of the

nimbus,

of the person
heads

the

worn

saints

and

traditions

of

by

1.^.,

from

of the

the

It

denoted.

was

as

mark

earlyart

of the
of
At

martyrs.
were

century,

or
was

to

as

or

It

and

up

various

tion
ornamenta-

the divine

degree

displayedbehind
of

angels.

distinction

and

later

period,when

some

extent

Dideron

the

laid aside,

until towards
M.

was

circular

of

Trinityand

honour

fifteenth century

seventeenth

shape

the elevation

of the Persons

It is also

representedas
the

to

upon

and
artists,

fifteenth century
the

is

liar
fami-

were

Emperors.

till the
or

nimbus

appears

Christian

Early

insignia

an

the

pagans

nimbus,

the

"

laity;

religious. The

use

glory placed

crown

the

by

Nimbus

is the

the

informs

end
us.

FICTITIOUS

40
a
**

ring,termed

simple unadorned
the

takes

as

place of

transparent,

field

or

the

circle of

*^

and

nimbus

showing

omitted
disc is altogether

or

drawn

formed

by
of

of

the

often

disappears

circular

the

from

the

flame,

circular

Supporter.

in

especiallyin

more
are

Mediaeval

seen

in every

many

used

Charles

as

allusions

angels are

of such

Art

seem

they

fifteenth

form

frequent

to

abound

Angels

century.

architecture, and
in

in

of

permittingitself

possiblecombination,

domestic

and

subjectof

the

shadow

be circumscribed."

to

occurrence

to

light

It is

not

if

as

divine

head.

but

line

unworthy

were

of

other

the

emanating

of

circle

hand,

enclose

line

wavering

resembling
light. On

the forms

in the

Raphael.
is only an

it

uncertain

Although

simple

lightas

Sometimes

it

the

perspectiveand

Disputer

Angel

only ;

suppressed,being
in

thread

idealised

thus
circle

outer

an

glory/*

represented

is

It became

the head.

hoveringover

and

SYMBOLIC

AND

with

astical
ecclesi-

form

heraldry. They

are

the
quently
fre-

supporters.

Boutell, M.A.,

**

English Heraldry,"

CREATURES
p. 247,
the

armorial

shield

The

"

might
'

the

in their

with

the

English heraldry ; and,

to
leading the way
r^ular supporters,
high

in

armorial
held
in

arms,

earlydays

it took

part in

it

and

esteem

honour

the

of

the

show

to

of

of shields

while

angelic
acting

of

systematic use

served

of

appearance

care

to

supporters

as

feelingsof

of

the

41

introduction

have

guardian angels
in accordance

was

ART

regardingangels used

says,

figures which
as

IN

which

insigniawere

by

ancestors

our

those

ages."

reference

And

made

is

to

examples sculpturedin
the
of

noble

timber

Westminster

and

roof
Hall

elsewhere.

As
Kneeling Angel

an

example

the

shield

Figures

give

we

of

of the

arms

of

seals,as

350,

it.

which

The

bearing

on

has the

shield
the

arms

of

Gothic

of

of

Henry

Richard
France

its

of

an

II.

They
each

Westminster

ancient

quently
fre-

and

quarterly,is supported by angels, which,

appear
about

Lancaster

angel on
at

each

arms,

breast,are

churches.

of
figu;*e

of

shields

in front

of

that

of St. Albans.

Abbey

angels holding

figure having a shield

sculptured in
on

Supporter.

side of

Hall,

England
if

not

42

FICTITIOUS

rather

ornamental

heraldic,

than
his

denote

to

SYMBOLIC

AND

d^m

the

to

tended
possiblyin-

were

of

crown

France,

of that kingdom.
being the supporters of the Royal arms
Upon his Great Seal other supporters are used.
There

of the

also instances

are

of

shield

being supported by angels,but

they

VL

Henry
by

are

some

authorities considered

purely religious

as

than

rather

symbols
heraldic.
The
the

of

King

standing

of the

each

Navarre^
affixed to
**

and
tilting-spear,

Mont-joye

impaled

banner

St.

et

of

arms

of

The
and

Navarre

IV.

and

arms,

Charles

Louis

yet

they

did

VI., which

XV.

and

had

XIII.

supporters of the
Louis

II.,Charles

Francis

not

exclude

with

considered

kingdom
XVI.

of France.
never

used

other

III. and
of

thdr

angels of

two
as

the

several

and

IX., Henry
the

motto,

bears

specialsupporters

were

Louis

or

shield

knighthood, helmet, mantling

accessories,all with a pavilionmantle.
Although

arms

same

of

orders

sinister

the cri de guerre

Denis."

France

the

the

dexter

the

France^

holding

of

the

of St. Albuu.

Abbcj

vested

taberts

arms,
Armt

clouds,

on

proper,

with

France

angels

two

were

all

of

supporters

ordinary
Louis
XIV.,

the

any

others.

CREATURES

IN

Verstegan quaintly
"

moved

call his

to

Gr^ory

Pope

coins

of

to

Shake

**
"

Of

*^

may

Egbert

England

**

of

name

have

**

was

chiefly

in respect

Engelisce

moved

of

into

kings

our

gold

the

set

the

43

image

angel"*

an

bags

the

"

abbots

hoarding
their

Set

this

tfieir best

upon

kingdom

changing

and

Angellyke,"

that

says

ART

angels

imprisoned

them

liberty."

at

SHAKSSPEAREy
King Johuy iii. 3.
The

coin

g(#d
from

named
that

on

was

of

the

dragon

with

(Rev.

It

Between

value

the

xii.

7).

had
was

into

it

in

archangel

reverse

ship.

in

of

representation

conflict

The

fact

the
side

one

was

his
from

^Restit.

duced
intro-

reign
6/.

of

and

%d.

Edward

by

England

to

Decayed

that

of

IV.

Charles

in
I. it

1456.
varied

los.

Intcll. in

Anttq.*' p. 147.

FICTITIOUS

44

SYMBOLIC

AND

"2rf)eruttmanti ^erapf^im

Full

serafbim

and

cherubim

On

^*

rvyallyhe

?|etaU"TS

rede:*
Stsemhold.

"

always dreaming

What^
Like

angel

heads

heavenlythings.

over

in stone

with pigeon
^'

CowpiR,

In

heraldry A

Convenation."

(pluralCherubim)

Cherub

of

head

the

representedas

wings.**

of
**

an

is

always

infant between

wings, usually
cherub's

pair

termed

head."
,

phim),
(plural Sera-

Seraph

like

in

always depicted
of

child, but

is

manner,

the

as

with

head
three

pairsof wings;
the

two

most
upperand

two
Cherubt*

lowermost

Headt.

contrarily

are

crossed,or
are

the

in saltire ; the two

most
middle-

displayed.

umberland,
Claveringyof Callaby Castle,Northbears
head
CCELOS

On

with

for

wings

crest

erect.

cherub's
Motto:

Senph't

Head.

VOLENS.

funereal

achievements,

settingforth

the

rank

CREATURES
of the

circumstance

and

the

over

woman,

ART

45

deceased, it is usual

place

to

of a
lozenge-shapedshield containing arms
whether
wife, or widow, a cherub's
spinster,

head, and

knots

helmets, or

of ribbon

bows

or

placeof

in

mantlings,which, according to

its

(^notbe

law,

IN

borne

by

crests,

heraldic

any

sovereignprincesses

woman,

only excepted.
In

representing

cherubim

by

heads,

the

meant

them
of

with

infants'

soul,

attribute

winged

early painters
matic
emble-

be

to

pure

spiritglowing

love

and

the head
the

the

gence,
intelli-

the

and

the

wings

swiftness

of

of

seat

Ann*"

Asnre

between

and

cfaerroii

three cheruba'

headt

argent
of the

last.

spiritalone
The

retained.

body
shown

never

or

in

descriptionsin

the

heraldry,for

say, unless

to

of

limbs

what

from

it be

the

cherub

sacred

Sir

to

conception in
Lord

heralds

The

adopted

synecdoche,which

adopts

represent the whole.

Joshua

Portrait

it is difficult

reason

ambiguity of the
writings and consequent

figureof speech termed

part

seraph are

the

of representing
them.
difficulty
the

and

Reynolds
his

Studies

fFilliam

has

embodied

exquisite
paintingof

of

Frances

Gordon^

It represents

now

Isabella
in

the

cherubs'

Ker^

heads,

daughter of

National

five infants' heads

modern

the

with

tion.
Collec-

wings, in

FICTITIOUS

46
different

Look

inlaid with

There's

not

like

Still quiringto the

this

it

cherubim

souls
of

vesture

in, we

paintersof

the
represent^

beholdest

thou

angel sings.

an

young-eyed

muddy

grosslyclose
of the

Many

orb which

is in immorttd

harmony

Doth

ready acceptance

patines of bright gold :

the smallest

in his motion

while

idea

the floor of heaven

how

Is thick

But

This

painters. Shakespearesings:

*^

Such

found

have

to

seems

poets and

But

douds.

positions,
floating
among

of the cherub
with

SYMBOLIC

AND

decay
hear

cannot

the

cherub

"

it.'*

period of

the

those

similarlyto

Reynolds' picture. They were

introducing into their picturesof

sance
Renaisin

also in the habit

sacred

of

nude
subjects

youthful winged figures, celestial loves,'*sporting

around
in clouds
the principalfigureor figures,
or
'*

assistingin

Spenser invests
Mother"

"The

with

is

that

act

some

Queen

of

being

Thus

done.

and of Love

Beauty

"
troop of these little loves,

the

Cupid,

their elder brother."

^

all about

And

her

flock of litde

With
Whose
But

nimble

wings

cherub

must

and

of

shapes seemed
like

to

and shoulders

loves,and

sports and

gold and
like

not

flew

joys

purple hue
terrestrial

to

boys.

angelsplayingheavenlytoys."
Faerii

These

neck

^uem^

not, however,

Book

be

x.

cant.

confounded

seraph of Scripture.It

was

x.

p.

53.

with

the

thoroughly

CREATURES

idea,

pagan

from

borrowed

of

unworthy

Christian

into

"earthly loves

they

were

termed

'*

classic
It

Art.
and

and

ART

IN

as

of

Ecclesiastical

contained

Apocalypse

are

in

great doubt

and

to

the

Paradise,

return

and

with
"

Sinai ; while
the

Testament

considered

out

uncertainty as

to

Ark

who

againstwhom

Moses, who
to

of

and
A

use.

of

their

on

trembled

the
more

there

is

forms.
familiar

gazed upon
his

scriptio
de-

symbolic

place,as

all

to

them

in

expulsion they

flamingsword, turningevery

to

the

these great Hebrew

"

stood

Old

as

them.

renderings of

unfrequent

patriarchs ^from Adam,

the

amorini

Scripture

mystic symbolic beings were

These

of

be

not

of

not

lengthened reference

beings will

literal

Art

and

degenerated

soon

understand

now

atlittMrn ^ ^eraptim
In

mythology,

cupids," or

**

we

47

before

way
it

to
on

bar his

Mount

the Priests and

Levites, the custodians

the

in the

Covenant

Tabernacle,

the

FICTITIOUS

48

remained

cherubim
Holies

of the

liberties

during

of

termed, the

most

Josephus,the

SYMBOLIC

AND
the

sacred

guardiansin

palladiumof

national

the

Hebrew

great

of

of

are

the

form

but

resemble
creature

the
there

an

others

have
the

any

by

man."

of

which

not

In

Judacus
tion
disserta-

express

The

and

many-

date
attempted to elucilittle purpose.

ambiguity

always accompanies

descriptionof objectswith

The

living

Philo

subjectto

The
Tuite, Bart.
Tip.

of

Brochart

*"

does

the cherubim.

upon
learned

creatures,

of them

of

is

sajrs

winged

seen

works

it the veil

He

that

in

readers, purposely

over

obscurity.

cherubim

symbol

his

throws

CO.

faith and

brightestand, as it has been

heroic period of Jewish history.
to excite respect for
more
effectually
the minds

crett

H0I7

the

the

Angel

the

we

which

written

imperfectly

are

acquaintedapplieswith greater force to this mysterious

flicting
apparently conbeing combining so many
attributes.
To

the

prophetic vision

of

Ezekiel, the description

of

which, in the opinion of competent

in

grandeur

most

the

of

celebrated
reader

is

idea
writers

energy

of

of ancient

and

and

referred, as

it

excels
critics,

expression the
modern

suppliesat

times,

first hand

CREATURES
almost

all that

be known

can

four

The

livingcreatures

God

exhibited

each

the
an

had

They

ox

fearful

concerningthe

four

each

their

"

went

iipon

their

backs, and

their

wheels

creatures

ran

flash of

and

had

Two

the

wings

their whole
their

hands, and

**and

eyes";

returned

the

as

lightning." Such

is

forth

the

of

hands

of

every

covered

wheels

they turned
body, and
wings, and
the living
of

appearance

descriptionof

concise

of

eagle.

an

two

sides, and

and

full of

were

of

accompanied by

their four

their

Hotlyand

other, and

were

"

of

the face

**

the

to

the throne

aspect ; they had

they

wings,

they went";

when

had

wings

joined one
bodies."
They

which

face

the

also

were

their

fourfold

man^

they

under

man

not

49

that support

Ezekiel

to

face of

face of

one

ART

of the cherubim.

form

IN

in Ezekiel

(chap.i.).
wonderful
and mysterioushieroglyph must
This
of
be considered
and
as
a striking
expressiveemblem
and
the guardian vigilanceof providence, all-seeing
their appearance

set

as

**

omniscient

; while

symbols

direct

wings exhibit to us
powerful, that all-pervading

the number

of

that

of

which, while it darts through nature

spirit
is everywhere present
to
protect and
(Dideron).
attached

So
that

Solomon

when

which
nation

for

so

many

6, 7), he

Jews

erected
the

continued

29, viii.

the

were

ages,
carved

we

defend

this celestial

to

that

glory and

glance,

at a

symbol

stupendous temple

boast
are

"

us

of the

told

all the walls

Hebrew

(i Kings, vi.
of

the
D

house

so

FICTITIOUS

round

about

.cherubim^
of

faces
the

servingas

this

bright
**

the

place God

the

of

high, with
bracing
em-

enclosure,

God's

diate
imme-

God
saying of David,
cherubim"
i). In
(Ps. xdx,

shining

or

the

cherub

the

*^

the

shechinah,'*whence

luminous

of

termed

body,

oracles

divine

form

in the

perpetuallyresided

cloud

was

sacred

sign or symbol

whence

between

ark

expanded wings

of

space

visible

presence,
sitteth

light^their

whole

the

fifteen feet

olive wood

the

to

side of

each

on

gold platedupon

their

sculptured figures of

the

mth

a"d

SYMBOLIC

AND

audibly

were

delivered.
Milton

gives

Seraph Raphael
"*

At

once

He
A

and
lights,

Each

Girt

like

broad

colours
from

And

shook

The

circuit

his

middle

that

the

chirui

spiritwhich

in

feet

third,his

feather'd mail

Maia's

he

son

stood

heavenly fragrancefill'd

wide."
Paradise

The

round

downy gold

with

Like

plumes,

pair

waist, and

in heaven
heel

clad

o*er his breast

manding
the

shade

to

wore

thighswith

grain.

returns

pair that

the

his

either

tinctured

zone

dipped

he

wings

starry

shape

came

his loins and

Shadows

Sky

six

regalornament

Skirted
And

divine

shoulder

With

his proper

to

Hneaments

cliff of Paradise

eastern

seraph wing'd

His

the

the

on

following description of

the

is

Lost,Book

traditionally
regarded

the

hierarchy is placed

as

next

v.

celestial
in order

CREATURES
the

to

the

All

seraphim.

Scripture gives

another,

the

in

figuresput together. The

in the embroidery
tabernacle
"*

of

cherubim
The

called

were

distinguished for
word

The

The
saw

up,

seraphim

seraphim
and

twain

beasts
beast

full of

the third

calf, and

with

twain

fourth

they

beast

each

had

full

were

like

was

of
of

them
eyes

he

these

only

in the

number

of

of each beast

compounded

the

it stood

he

covered

his

feet,

cried

one

the

wings

within."

wings,

being separate

the

And

about

also
and

first

like
and

man,

It will

but

the

beast

that of

four

were

and

second
a

in Revelation

throne

as

another

to

of Hosts

Lord

face

the

twain

flyingeagle.

of the four.

"

; with

behind,

descriptionsdiffer from

that

Love.

(vi.1-3):

Isaiah

the

and

six

angels

Divine

glory," And

had

i)

religiousardour.

wings

about

beast

of

temple. Above

lion,and

the

throne, high and lifted

six

before

order

and

had

Round

eyes

like

was

beasts

"

of

xxvi.

(Ex.

an

by

is full of his

earth

whole

(iv. 6)

not

as

did

he

of all these

(Calmet).

fly. And
said. Holy, Holy, Holy, is
with

and
the

one

face,and

his

covered

"

sitting
upon

each

Moses

zeal

his train filled the

and

men,

curtains

the

upon

described

are

also the Lord

shapes of

burning," i.e.^with

"

means

one

hieroglyphical
representations

by

fervent

differ from

composition

regarded

are

which
descriptions

in the

cunning work

seraphim

51

cherubim

described

lions, and

eagles,oxen,

ART

several

of

us

they are

as

IN

the

four

him, and
be noticed

Ezekiel, not
in

the

viduality
indi-

independent,

AND

FICTITIOUS

51

forms

Several

have

Audsley,

artists ; those

of

SYMBOLIC

these

mystical

devised

been

which

entire

forms

lion^ the

ox^

display the
the

man^

been

have
made
be

nimbus,

the

of.

heads

bodies

on

in

Sometimes

feet

the

of

Byzantine

Vatopedi, on

Pugin's

^*

Glossary of

"

Costume

says
of

Mount

the

of divine

love, and

reference

to

the

Ecclesiastical

colour

are

of the

resting on

also

winged.
from

in the

vent
con-

to

set

Ornament

and

frequentlyrepresented
forth the

usuallystanding

vision

heads
covered

is taken

mosaic

the

Athos.

cherubim

brightred

are

example

terious
mys-

four

wings

wheels, which

Tetramorph.

one

called

with

numerous

The

found

are

forming

and

eyes,

other

comprised

they

Tetramorph
with

of

and

being
and

the

wings only
symbolic creatures.

of the four

united

of

figures
; at

heads

the

to

half-bodies

or

find them

we

are

mysticalcreatures

winged human
times

to

frequently

formed

the

of

invested

They

with

met

the

appear

most

use

of the
and

and

eagUy all winged

with

says

early mediaeval

the

by

creatures,

upon

prophet

intensity

wheels,

Ezekiel.

in

CREATURES
Cherubim
alb

and

ser^him

tunic, and

or

53

always

seem

!^arftied

ART

IN

in

round

knot

in the

vested

the

neck.

(!Bmf)lem0 of tf)eJpour

winged livingfigures,symbols

The

which
have

been

ever

They

Audsley,
to

four

creatures

which

writings

the

was

with

voice

of

forth

the

St.

the

his

of

nature

symbol

manifested

ness,
like-

with

gospel
because

and
Our

the
his

in

Lord

is

more

divine.

^//rf^^ Z/^",

the

^To

"

in human

creature

commences

the

reasons

Incarnation.

Man^

of

mission

The

St.

of

Resurrection.

Mark,

John

the

who

in the

resurrection

acceptedin early times

The

"

his

opens

the

Baptist,
"

He
crying in the wilderness."
royal dignityof Christ and dwells

was

Jerome,"

for

one

lion

the

length.

at

given

human

and

Ezekiel

and
evangelists,"

Winged

than

upon

gospel

power

given

he

St. Mark
Lion

the

was

the

earlydate.

very

writingsof

generation of Christ,

human

dwelt

of

Christian

Early
a

which

beginning of the fifth century

of the
authority for the appropriation

Matthew

because

vision

"The

John.

to

St. Matthew

the

at

ists,
evangel-

with, and

with

used

the

in the

there

are

St.

"

artists

gave

been

from

of St,

Revelation
says

have

taken

are

in favour

most
to

of

frequentlymet

most

are

artists,
appear

The

(iBbangelists

from
as

also sets
upon
the

His
dead.

symbol

of

FICTITIOUS

54

the

resurrection

always to
by

ox,

because

be born

SYMBOLIC

AND

the

dead, but

was

roaringof

breath, the tongue,

and

St.

Luke

Passion.

the

beast

Winged Ox^
of

sacrifice,
fitlysets

"

believed

was

awakened

the

lion

young

to

vitality

its sire.

The

form

of the

forth

the

sacred

office,and

John

the

The

heaven,

he

soared

heavens

to

bring back

St

in

these

eaglewas

eaglesoars
spiritupwards to the

towards
of

heaven

of

revelation

earth

to

"

the

their reference

Sedulius,
much

priest and

the

sublime

/A^

ists
evangel-

Incarnation^

the Ascension,
of

poet

fifth century,

the

followingverse

in the

same

the four

to

refer to

figuressometimes

Passion^the Resurrection^ and

says

on

mysteries.

Independentlyof
she

Ascension.

John because, as

to

awful

by blood,

sin

^The

Eagle^

allotted

and

for

atonement

55

dwells.
gospel,he particularly

in his

which,
St.

also

ART

IN

CREATURES

|l^ jnattj^atus agens, li^ominem gfnetaltttt

tmplet:
illlanQS

alta (temft box pet tresitta leonte

itt

Jttra satettrotis TLvsm

tenet ore

Jubenti

.^lote bolens ^qttihr betio petitastra

Thr

Lion

St.

of

Mark.

the

rapidly risingState

the

receptionof

thither

from

Theodore

was

on

the

on

with

the

current

the

'^

Johannes.
ninth

St.

Few

century

dignifiedby

was

Mark,

transported
saints,"says

patron

enjoy a greater popularity,

locallyexemplified. His lion

sociallyor

identified

Venice."

relics of

Buckley,

emblazoned

stamped

of Venice

Alexandria.
A.

whether

the

In the

"

^*

of the

standard

coins,

pride, the

while

power,

Republic,and
his

and

name

was

glory of

all

"

of the

Emblems

do
evangelists

not

often appear

heraldry.
*

"'

Great

Cities of the

Middle

Ages.'*

in

CREATURES

56
Walter
to

Laud),

Archbishop
symbols

of

the

of

bore

at

Canterbury,

Lambeth

azure

on

evangelists

of

for

(executed
a

cross

the

or^

between

last^ four

lions

gules.

rampant
The

arms

manuscript

ART

Archbishop

Reynolds,

according

the

IN

Freemasons
their

upon

emblems

cherubims^

of

the

all

four

appear

to

seal,

viz.,

evangelists^

use

and

proper.

The

Lion

of

St.

Mark,

Venice.

cross

for

similar

coat

between

supporters

of
the
two

^(tmerual

Creatures

of

tbt

^fje Bragon
'

The

scalymntsUr

Full

"fa iragm^ coiled

In tki central

With

fild"nnspiakahle^

ohUqm retwudf

eyes

that askant

BbotgUandngfiriP
Hbsiod."

HE

is the

dragon

and

Shield

The

"

chimerical

figures,and
fact that

in the East
anterior

to

Europe,

even

East
very

much

national
)

The

and

in countries

the

dawn

in

same

we

such

all
markable
re-

creature

of

the

known

widely separated. Long

civilisation

find

form

it is

an

far-off China

of Asia
the

of

of

early period
historyto have been
at

world's

interesting

most

frequently seen

most

appears

of Hercules.*'

and

the

in

it

West

of

in the

treme
ex-

delineated

in

Japan

dragon

in which

the

appears

in

our

heraldry.
ancients

conceived

it

as

the

embodiment

of

FICTITIOUS

Go

destructive

malignant and

\ of the

dragon kind,

to

It is often
but

are

the

with

us

of

monsters!

the
be

afterwards

will

the

or

other

that

from

ferocious

"

of

bears

find

^founded

dragon

but

been

has

It is surprisingto

hundreds

and
to

age

been

but

and

dying

out

form

draconic

the

as

of melting

instead

of view, it has

form, distinctly
a

in

age,

the

in the

opinion of

many

tradition,passedon

on

"

only retains

not

startlingresemblance

of nature,

justifiedby prosaic science.

that the popular conceptionof

generations

inundating

constantly appears

until
flyingreptile,

tradition

sanie

dreaded,

most

abstraction

remained

have

the

tradition

influences,storms,

phenomena

and

are,

slightmodifications

an

solar

violent

fact remains

into

of

monsters

great deeps, rivers

the

type of the thing

'

that

argued

doubt, they

no

so,

strange

reference

wind,

banks,

and

the

which

of
personification

the

desert

their

the

dreadful

story makes

niade:
particularly

more
r

many

with

acqudnted

Classic

attributes

with

and

power,

kind.

terrible

most

SYMBOLIC

AND

to

through
its identity,

fossil remains

^antediluviansaurians, whose

original

the
now

come

lightthrough geologicalresearch,almost proving

the marvellous
of tradition and the veracityof
power
those who
passed it on.
to

Mr.
Lore
the
some
some

Moncure

*')says

**

conventional

huge

Conway
The

opinion

dragon

saurian.

of those

(" Demonology,

extinct

It

has

is the
has

saurians

or

Devil

steadilygained

that

form

of

traditional
been
may

suggested
have

been

that
con-

CREATURES
with

tempcH-aneotrs

IN

the

earliest

of conflicts with
have
pictorially,
fable
*^

that

of
grifiins

and

bristlingwith

stone,

under

that half

necks

here

And

through

the air

We
of

Moses

we

teeth

see

cockatrices, and

conception

dragon

and
slaughter,
evident

that

existed.
there

rowing
such

Looking

to-day

traditional

is the

existent
and
so

adopted

animdj

whose

form

with
at

him

that

the

to
ferocity

earlier
as

the
be

races

most

found.

scribes
de-

It is

time
in

no

have

dragons,

semi-myth

of

successor

fire and

wings.

of

j^eally^onces

huge size, snake-like

unanimously

of animal

have

one

the

that

"

"lragons,
we

its

possiblydangerous powers
terrible

of

Euripides

may

doubt

of

Scriptures

Isaiah

by

widespread belief

the

at

little

seems

sacred

monsters"

its way

body

like those

breathing forth

creature

diameter;

wings

in the

whose

snake

or

in

winged dragon

mentioned.

also

are

"

of

some

in

horrid,

strong claws, has

fieryserpents,"and

"

sees

enormous

entire

and

fiery flying serpent.*' Other

him

in

British

visitor

foot

leathern

on

also told

are

the

legends ;

equal in lengththe

sharp

bat"

in

pointed teeth, gape

with

that, armed
careered

mediaeval

staringeye-socketsa

boa-constrictor.

by

forms

rival in strangeness the great

than

more

|aws,

tions
tradi-

orallyand

Miller, **the

Hugh

says

dragons

of

that

preservingtheir

in

geologicalspecimens

the

Among

shapes

and

men,

transmitted

them,

resulted

6i

proximately."

Museum/'

and

ART

ance,
appear-

of ofience
of

made

mankind

fearful embodiment

62

FICTITIOUS
Oneof

AND

Kensington, is

South

dicus

eighty-ninefeet

feet in

length of

enormous

head, would

small

of the

inhabitant

in its

growing
Mr.

the

idealised

the

"is
green,

the

eyes,

the

into

and

monster.

flashes

under

is the

all

the

that of harmful-

in

not

in

having

the
is

mythology

feature in nature,
whole.

all of
*"

The

dragon,'* says Mr. Conway,

His
body is partially
the

with

sea

and

his

of slime, and

lingering shadows

lightningflames
from

only

all the

that

possesses

horrible

one

the

be the

to

and

dragon
bad

of

dark,
The

devil

The

memories

storm-":louds.

devil

representationsof

dragon

of every

or

work,
all intermediate

describes

along with

from

terrible

partlybrown

vegetation

remarkable

his

all the

demon

evil.

doing

with

the

is common,

conventional
a

The

relatively

accurately describes

The

is combined

modern

monster

amphibious

an

believes

he

feature

one

combination

which

be

and

demon

which

diiFers

desire of

in

Lore,"

This

serpent.

but

the

tail,with

to

tip of

the

to

shoulder.

the

feeding on

Throughout

propertiesof
ness,

it

between

form

dragon

indicate

Devil

or

dragon.

transitions.

and

Conway,

stages

fabulous

its neck

America,

depths.

"Demonology,
of

heightat

waters,

Moncure

head

of that

{Dtplo-

in

of

framework

huge bulky

measuring eleven

History

skeleton

the

recently discovered
in length from the head

Camepi\
tail,the

Natural

long*limbed dinosaur

the

creature

enormous

the

in the
acquisitions

the latest

Museum,

SYMBOLIC

still in his

of
red

fire-breathingmouth.

CREATURES
of

thuoderbolt

The

in

are

wings

the

barbed

bat-like

"

crocodile

is

his

on

bristle round

hirh, while

brassy glitterof
of

is ideal

all

has

been

here

is
in

there

but

the

the

teries
mys-

of

in

are

of
all

serpent and

ice of

the

nature

in

all

up

huge

jungles

glaciersand

his scales.

and

of

detail

; every

vanquished by

selection

and

man,

combination

one
sum

of every
**

The

as

creature's

the

on

legends

of

vampires,
of

mons

south,

so

far

the

the

the

where

pigeon,

the

the

exist

maidens

of

great enemy

northern

countries
as

have

in its

helped in

turn

the formation

assisted in

the

also

in
man

are

enter

of the Hydra,

seem

impersonationsof
pictorial

to

the

have

and

de-

the
was

there
much

is supposed

forming the dragon of

Assyrian ideas

As

the

is found

serpents

frequentlyharmless, this feature does not

Cuttlefish
into their composition. The
to

which

principallyexisted

serpent element, but

the

in

country

north,

greatly

are

swan"-shaped dragon.

north
In

the

and

heat

excessive

in

of

swan

exists

cold.

excessive
also

the

Dragons

of

nature

they originate. In

worst.'*

forms

external

dependent

him

and
principles,
conspire to form
of
of pain, the
the forms
great generalisation

they rise again

'

He

hard, destructive,perilous,

through

seen

or

that

His

sharp thorns

sunstrokes

horrible

loathsome,

and

rocks

Woden,

vampires. Spine

tail of

neck,

of

tail.

sum

"

63

spear

his

spiked
harpies and

jagged ridgesof

the

of

and

ART

the

Jove,

point

extinct

of

IN

the

which

calypse.
Apo-

assisted in

hydra.

This

FICTITIOUS

64

many-headed
which

in

of

those

the

St. Michael

left in

myths

Christians.

Europe
Other

invested

with

Andrew,

and

Christian

and

the

suit

did

the

were

St.

Margaret,

trampling

as

being

received
with

greatly away

of the

of

contortions

into
other

crocodile

easilybe exaggerated so

horrible

most

of

Egyptian dragon is based

hideousness

could
alligator

the

; St.

this form

The

Tri-

dragon

Michael

St.

pictured

are

their feet. The

monsters.

pagan

old

The

besides

others

symbolism

with

frequentlyutilised by

were

saints

many

hydra

the

Bel

in

out

contentions

the

dragon.

crocodile, and

the

in

the feats of Hercules

dragons under
on

the

with

with

Assyrian

also

torrent,

breaks

direction

one

(the deep), and

nant

representationof

conflicts of Hercules

repeated in

are

off

cut

The

another.

is

monster

being

SYMBOLIC

AND

to

as

human

the

terrible dragons is
the most
imagination. Amongst
Typhon, the impersonation of all the terrors of nature.
Son

Tartarus, father

of

winds,

he lives in the African

fear,to

in

heads

He
are

is coiled

the head

Under

Conway
with

has

which

of

embodied

in the

The

the

thence

fled

whirlwind, and

the

tempest,

the

Dragon

Colonial

all the horrors

earlycolonists
placesthe Gorgon
the

he

most

widely spread of- all

supposed

from

of

his

scrive,

the tornado."

these

it is

and

breath, all the gods and

symbolical of

hurricane, and

the

harpies

deserts

his terrible

escape

goddesses.
many

of the

would
and

and

difficulties

be beset.

Amongst

the Chimera.

is the last named,

that all Christian

Mr.

and

British

The
and

from

dragons

CREATURES
descended.

are
AND

THE

AND

THE

the

to

*^

is but

Dragon

and

of St.

George

of Bellerophon

last has

hero

St.

to

given place
George.
of

usuallytraditions

are

slain

having

ancestor

65

myth
the

there

It is alwuys the

monster.

ART

variation

the pagan

families

far-distant

in which

Chimera,

In ancient

some

Christian

The

dragon

IN

colonial

desperate

that

dragon

has

Japanese Dragon.

been

borrowed
killed
of

variation

by poets and romancers.

by Guy of Warwick

Worm,

burn

of the
known
a

slain

Sir

by

people of

tradition

modification

cloud

There

the chimera.

of the

than

the

is

but

Worm

Dragon

man's

another

the

vouring
de-

the well-

is in
of

reality

Storm-

the

he swells

hand

gon
Dra-

again the Sock-

neighbourhood;

Lambton

is

John Conyers for

of the Aryan

smaller

The

out

to

prodigiousdimensions."
A

favourite

paintingand

subject for

Chinese

sculptureis a dragon

very

and

Japanese
of the

much
E

66

FICTITIOUS

type, and

same

in the

form

of

of
representation

monstrous

SYMBOLIC

AND

objectat Japanese

stillforms

Saurian

huge

dragon is the representation

and is the imperialemblem
of sovereignty,
borne
banners, and otherwise displayed as the national

upon

the

people of that vast country

everythingpowerful and imposing ; and
To

ensign.

the

important part

observances.

Wells

S.

Dr.

Williams,

the fabulous

imagination in

following passage

three

and

only

of

head

of

rabbit, ears

tiger.

and

of

its voice

of the

dragon

away
and

from
beat

dragon,

According
Emperor

to

gongs
and

or

it is
to

into

sea

the

snake,

and

water

and

palm

ward

the

breath

before

fable

Hoang-ti

was

burn

current

carried

in
in

up

to

into
pans.

heaven

venturing

joss-sticks
of the

varietyof

China,

is

mena.''
pheno-

off the evil influences

worshipped

of

whiskers,

sometimes

returning to port,

are

of all oceanic

sailors

; it

bellyof

jinglingof copper
occasionallyascends to
and

the

deer, eyes of

mouth

in

Chinese

hawk,

are

first is the

the

bright pearl;

is the ruler

fishermen

land

of

of

the

The

of

There

*^

and

Chinese

is like the

waterspouts, and
The

of

side

changed

fire,and

in

carp, claws

plays

eminent

of

sky,

the horns
neck

cow,

contains

its beard

The

each

On

sometimes

the

marshes.

camel,

it

the

monster

species according to

authentic

the

in the

kiau

the

frog,scales
a

in

dragons-^the lung

sea,

the

it represents

religiousceremonies

in many

sinalogue,describes

has

central

the

festivals.

the Chinese

Among

an

dragon

the

ways.

Celestial

heaven, along

CREATURES
with

other

seventy

who
shaken

off* and

custom

when

has

catch

to

thrown
an

ascended

heaven.

to

Dragon, the Ho-Ho,

Celestials believe

to

the

devour

to

be

say

caused

the

by

great
A

to

made

by firingguns, beating drums,

and

jangling of pairs of

frighten the
their
masses

of

curlingclouds

bears

the
a

great

moon.

simple

dragon

that

the

is

rattling

instruments

to

frequent subjectof

in the

act

luminary, a
with

dragon

dragon sprawlingthrough

deeper meaning

intimatelyconnected

the

great noise

and

discordant

away.

artists is the dreadful

swallowing
doubt

monstfer

that

Chr)rsanthemum.

seeks

or

It is still the

Dktics.

PhoeniJtyand

sun

were

eclipse the

An

those

moustaches

ground.

Imtsxial
or

(^1

great dragon
his

at

dies

emperor

ART

the

on

Jafanux
The

by

persons,-

only able

were

IN

their

than

of

grasping at
subjectwhich
we

see, and

mythology.

or
no

one

68

FICTITIOUS
In

the

of

some

furore.

On

and

like

dancing,and

from
and

masts,

the

smoke

from

the

of

the

sails and

beating

immense

folds,

wild

music

of

junks

crowd

of

streaming

of

and

wondrous

many

accompanied by

the

fondness

in

of

boat

natives, with

more

unfurling of

worship of

the

great excitement

river

dragon

by fiftyor

the

with

Canton

the

length formed
rowed

splendidfestivals

their

is celebrated

dragon

SYMBOLIC

AND

flags

the

drums,

noise

firingof guns, all exhibit the

people for the pleasuresof a national

holiday.
DragofCs

Teeth.

the

guarded

teeth, from
all

killed

Cadmus

King

of

Jason

on

which

of

warriors

sprang
other

did not

sow,

Colchis

to

that

rose

classic

and

the

teeth

therefrom.

to

the

of

civil strife ; whatever

which

teeth

he

enjoined

slay the

and

armed

frequentallusion

teeth refers

to

citizens

rouses

the

were

tasks

The

dragorCs

term

who

men

possessionof "tes.

of the

one

these

sow

Those

to

of the

some

five, who

except

that

dragon

armed

the

up

came

ithc

sowed

Thebans.

the

was

slew

of Ares, and

well

each

ancestors

Cadmus

"

to

subjects
rise

in

arms.

The

of

mythical dragon

his

name

in

various

literature,as in the
fi

Dragon's Head
Nodes

orbit
The

of

are

ascending node

in

our

lastingimpress
language

and

of

and

planet,or

left the

ways

art

the

has

nearlyevery country.
In astronomy
0 DragotCs Tail.
"

opposite points in
of

marked

crosses

moon,

by

which
the

the character

the

ecliptic.
( Q ),

CREATURES
the

termed

Dragon^s head^ is

from

ascends

the

(q)

north

to

DracOf

south

the

and
ecliptic,
character

IN

north

Dragon*s

of

side

indicated

node

tail is where

constellation

the

in

the

by

the

from

it passes

northern
that

monster

the

garden

and

set

by Hercules,

moon

side.

south

representingthe
slain

the

to

the

in

planetor

the

descending

golden apples

69

where

the

the

ART

as

of

the

sphere,
hemi-

Hesperides,

constellation

the

watched

in the

heavens.

voknSy

Draco
countries

"

marshy
will-o'-the-wisp.

Ignus fatuus^ or

flyingdragon, a curious class of

reptilespeculiar to the East Indies, having

saurian

attachments

membranous

to

visible in

sometimes

meteor

volens^ or

Draco

the

them

of

appearance

to

their

limbs, which

give

flyingas they leap from

tree

tree.

of a
Dragon* s blood, a vegetable balsam
colour
brought from India,Africa,and South

America.

its resemblance

hardened

called from

So

^^e Bragon
(The symbol of

was

monsters

the

believed
and

Cimmerians

any

dried

and

red

of blood.

masses

It

to

dark

were

to

tn

(ttttsttan ^rt

Supreme Spiritof Evil,or the

that
the
be met

part of the universe

in

the

gloomy
of

confines
; and

which

not
was

Evil

land

Hades

One)
of

the

strange

only there, but

conceived

to

in
be

FICTITIOUS

70

the

beyond

recognisedin
lurked

in

*^

with

dragons is associated with

(Ps.xliv. 19). Dragons are

*'

of death
the

of

waters

the

upon

Isaiah

(xxxiv.),describingin

shall

come

and

Zion's

on

The

also associated
and

vivid

and

picturesque

desolation

utter

shall

**

be

which

habitation

are

; and

7)

enemies, prophesies that

fortresses

palaces and

not

shadow

the

cxlviii.

praiseJehovah (Ps.

destruction

the

language

*'

deep (Ps. Ixxiv. 13)

called

to

did

men

only at great danger.

so

is

beings

uncanny

"

of

place

did

idea

same

deserts, where

outer

weird

these

The

that
belief,

the Semitic

all,or

at

habitation

human

be encountered.

the

penetrate

of

pale

might

/creatures

SYMBOLIC

AND

her

for

dragons.'*
dragon is applied by the translators of
of which
have
monsters
we
Scripturesto some

The
the

term

of the

is used

Middle

Ages as the symbol

though
paganism in particular,

and

The

is denoted.

xci.

it

13,

creature

world

said

their

of

book

the

In

is

under

dragon

any

days

of

David.

spoken

dragons

in

of

the

of

ecclesiastics

sin in

ofttimes
from

general
heresy

Rev.

xii. 9,

Great

the

saints shall

trample

recognise in

Leviathan

Dragon

in Psalm

the

feet."

Job

we

the

extinct

Psalm

having
waters;

as

the

old

in historic times
still

Ixxiv.
broken
in

of

saurians

recorded

is treated
In

as

by

the

crocodile

this leviathan

and

^^

like

more

than

is derived

metaphor

is termed

Satan

where

is

word

The

knowledge.

no

Is^ah

existingin

13,
the

the

Jehovah

14,

heads

li. 9,

as

of

the

having

CREATURES
wounded

the

and

**

(Is. xxvii. i).

there

in heaven

appeared
and

red

dragon, having

ten

horns, and

the

of
them
3,

4)

; *^1

laid hold
that

old

the

Devil

third

part

did

cast

The

Dragon

great
he

dragon,
is

Satan, and

(Rev.

xx.

2).
a

the
taken

to

supreme

veritable
the

it had

Christian

dragon

blem
em-

may

be

symbolise the
spiritof evil, a
devil

been
to

the

By

of tlie

Albert

Apocalypse.

Diirer.

it

whom

special mission

mythology
and

the

him"

As

as

hand, and

and

his

the

serpent, which

bound

was

of

pitand

on

and

heaven,

key

in his

chain

great

upon

and

sea

angel

an

from

bottomless

the

"

the

(Rev. xii.

saw

the

having

is in

another

heads^

crowns

heaven,

"

earth

down

come

I,

of

stars
to

seven

serpent,"

lyptic
Apoca-

behold

seven

his tail drew

heads, and

the

the

on

sung

crooked

dragon that

Finally,in

vision,**
wonder

the

**

that

71

are

pseans

Leviathan,

slayingof

the

and

dragon;

punishment of

ART

IN

of

militant

glory of the

conquer.

"

heroes

In

legendary subjects,"says

saints
of

pictures
a

late

slay,

to

the pagan
of

sacred

writer,

**

the

FICTITIOUS

72

AND

dragon usually formed

evil

thingwas

foot

of

the

each

on

form

of

that

transfixed

The

the

demons

and

often

were

the

triumphant

trampled tranquilly
in

vice, embodied
if the

; and

impossible creature
sometimes

his

with

the virtues

manner

complementary

some
were

insipid,it

rigid

allowed

be

must

the

istic,
usually grotesquelycharacter-

in
delightful

colour.'*

the triumph
usuallysignifies
Paganism, as in pictures of St.

prostrate attitude

The

of

saint, or

her

virtues

important feature.

an

invariably
depicted writhingunder

In like

spear.

SYMBOLIC

over
Christianity

George

and

St.

Sylvester
;

or

heresy and

over
as

when

as

the

it

adopted

was

of the

emblem
of

Knights
of the

schism,

the

gary,
in Hun-

Dragon,
which

Order

tuted
insti-

was

for the

of

purpose

contending against the

of

adherents
and

of the

Rojral Burgh

again

in the

which

form

often

tian
Chrisvery

represented,

sometimes
Arms

in

is often

variously
the Old

Prague.

dragon
Art

and

of

Jerome
The

St. Michael

John Huss

as

serpent,

Dragon.
at

of Dumfries.

times

other

as

dragon or wyvern,
or
symbolic figure partly human, under
we

find

represented,as

the
in

"

old

the

"

serpent

conflict

of

(the Devil)
St. Michael

CREATURES
the

Archangel.

who

have

IN

The

fought

the

the

impersonationof

evil

generallyviewed,

was

St.

Lynn

ron
pat-

borough
and

Regis,

old

is the

Margaret

saint of the

the

on

corporation seal

of

she

is

represented standing on
and

dragon
with

The

cross.

Sub

The

stat

the

teritur

of

dragon's)

the

erects

jaws
In

fitchieor.

crosslet

cross

canrinf
.

and

erased

ancient

From

conger^s (or

heads

pierced with

the

blazoned

now

three

azure

lacta."

shield

is

town

is

seal

cruce

modem

it

Latin

Margaret

draco

wounding

inscriptionon
**

ssunts

prove

dragons

overcome

which

73

legends of

numerous

and

symbolic light in

ART

of

each

paintings

of
woman
Margaret is represented as a young
and
olive
great beauty bearing the martyr's palm
and
the dragon chained
with
helplessat
or
crown^
Sometimes
she is depicted
attribute.
her feet as an
St

from

coming
the

says
the

monster

sign of
A

agsun.

of Antioch,
wished
he threw

to

the

he

cross

her ;
a

as

her

making

to

free her

the

she

Governor

Olybus,

that

states

on

beauty

of

rejectedhim

dungeon, where

legend

the

compelled

was

captivated by

her into

her, but

swallowed

legend

marry

for

dragon's mouth,

the

Margaret,
with

the devil

scorn

appeared

FICTITIOUS

74
her

to

in

held up the

and

cross

burst

he

In

Ye

sword,

George

horrible
from

fled.

the

by

Other

legendary combat
and

is seen.

his steed

dragon

helmet
of

sheen

his side."

at

of

the

selected
the

patron

with

saint

the monster,

largelyinto

nation.
as

Norman

the

St.

the

George

patron
conquest.

pride,

Schmid.

of

England,
is

saint of
We

language
appears

England
find

the

in

his

subjectwhich

frequentlyin English sculpture and

enters

l^nds

the Dragon*

and

shield,and

by

the

George,

occurs

deavoured
en-

Margaret

path.

Chr.

St.

and

dragon

her

dragon

his form

and

him

know

And

the

church

many

With

asunder.

St

**

of

frightenher

to

say

form

the

SYMBOLIC

AND

and
to
not

painting,
literature
have

been

long after

anniversaryof

CREATURES
his

(April 23)

martTrdom
as

in

festival

1222

(fol cxix.),thus
blyssedand

and

by

also the said

ye crye

noble

God

late

Then

us

The

his

and

is a

pieceof

to

of this

commonly
of

saint

patron

thonour

and

That

as

St.

spearingthe
standingwith
George

all reasonable

deny

that
in

Datianus,

is

was

the

born

23,

sayd

; which

worshippe

slain

303.

there
in

horseback
is

Jerome

in

his feet.

beyond

reason

and

persecution by
St.

is

no

vomiting

at

character

Armorica,

dragon,

field,and

dragon

seems

George,
a

which

veritable

Diocletian's

April

the

St.

given to
England are

monster

doubt, and

he

royaume/*

of

or

for

the fifte.

his head

the

fire ;

of

of

broder

was

spear.
act

castell

gaf it

and

bearing a red cross on a white

He
is usuallyrepresented on

shield

of

blyssedMartyr Saynt George.

hym that he be specyel pro-

vnto

emblems

martyr,

ye

and

In
whyche
Englond.
Saynt George: whyche Sygysmond

defendour

and

tectour

of

order

noble

ye

collegein

Sygysmond

praye

This

of warre;

relyque to kynge Harry

and

1507

of

college is nobly endowed

almighty

**

is patrone

of mS

is founded

also there

And

"

Alamayn brought

precyous

garter.

and

Kynges

of

Emperour
and

also ye

is ye herte of

coU^e

of Oxford

Synod

Saynt George

of whome

Wyndsore,

And

served
ob-

be

to

"

Englod

worsyp

grete

ordered

was

the National

holy martyr
of

reame

garter

ye

75

Legend/' printedby Pynson in

refers to
Saynt George :

Golden

"

in ye

by

ART

A.D.

The

this

IN

was

order

to

headed
be-

of

(331-420)

FICTITIOUS

76
mentions
next

in

him

honour.

his

churches

many

Bede

St.

in the

erected
has

(540-604)

for

"Preface

martyrolc^es ;

Gregory

Venerable

the

his

were

St.

sacramentary
and

of

one

there

century

SYMBOLIC

AND

in

to

his
**

George's Day

in his martyr-

(672-735)

George truly finished his

martyrdom by decapitation,
although the gests of his
the apocryphalwritings/*
passion are numbered
among
ology, says

According
Percy's
the

was

stolen

three

marks
of

one

When
the

weird

up

to

deeds

he

dragon

legs,and

Saracens,and

where

was

whose
and

poisonous
hide
a

it

the

to

came

lot of

become

its victim.

out

to

meet

and

left
full

vowed
came

wounded

be

take
the

her

scene

it,and

mother

of

the

infested
had

dragon

; she

the

to

arm.

huge dragon,

a
a

city slain,'*

could

it,and

tied

St.

at

length

cause

in

it was

encountered

and

the

to

she went
the

stake,

George appeared
his

on

hand,

pierce.*'

king's daughter,to

was

mounted

to

by

in bridal array

when

binding it

had

fought against

sword

sacrificed

out

the

on

many

nor

Sabra,

who

Sylene,a cityof Libya,

to

spear

body

was

breast, a garter round

first

**

woods,

His

he

went

babe

new-born

cross

Decked

and

His

blood-red

devoured,

panoply
to

on

to

the

St.

arms.

the

breath

*'no

Poetry,"

Bishop
George

the

of

on

virginwas

Every day

in

then

in

lady

stagnant lake

whose

given

Coventry.

manhood

to

grew

of

birth, and

the

the

Ancient

by

him

ballad

Albert

giving him

brought

of

of Lord

away

old

the

to

Reliques

"

son

in

died

last St.

At

^*

charger.

when

by

the

He

dragon

the hero, who

lady'sgirdleit was

CREATURES
led like

there

attacked

killed

it

Lady

and

St.

George

After

lived

of

the Order

George,

make

George,

one

baptism
in

an

and

and

by

the

true

the

being

armour

of

common

Christian

arts

due

dragon

slain

allegory to
hero

over

of

snares

the

tionary
tradi-

would
honour

of

in

they

Christ,
of

with

the

the

many

so

those

deny

not

Suppose

of

do

every

virtue

of

his

earthlybody
religionand piety,

Spirit overcomes,

crushes

Antis

contradict

not

faith,keeps
exercise

Mr.

deliverance

that

clothed

of the

and

Coventry

the

is related

history.

spiritualart

his diabolical
The

the

he shall

who

serpent^spoison, the

off* Sabra

he who

^*

says

armour

the

doubt

martyr

and

"

this

the

Our

to

at

and

allegoryof it,so

subjectionby

mouth,

carried

from

royal virgin,which

certainty of

the

he

detract

soldier

pictures,**
adding that
who

its

commemorate

would

not

concerning the dragon

beautiful

George

dedicated

to

saint,and

will
the

into

St.

of the Garter

who

that

St. Ambrose

our

city.

death.

those

censures

wedded, and

they were

historyof
credit

built

adventures

many

historyof

warmly

the

church

was

happilytill their

In his

ART

it,thrustinghis lance

England, where

to

into

the spot, and

on

event.

"

beast

meek

**

IN

and

confounds

and

the old

Dragon,

by
the
and

stratagems.*'
by

St.

George

express

the

evil,

which

is

simply a
triumph of the
St.

John

the

the figure of a dragon.

Evangelist beheld under
Similarly St Michael, St. Margaret, St. Sylvester
all depicted as slayingdragons ;
and St. Martha
are

FICTITIOUS

78
the

Saviour

foot ; and

the

and

Virgin

John

St.

SYMBOLIC

AND

the

from

drink.

John Bunyan

Even

and

ApoUyon

Frenchman,

the

and

In the

Louvre

dragon

to

Paris

he

at

relief,which

It represents

fact that

the

rider

might easilybe
of

St.

and

**

has

from
and

Horus

Andromeda'*;

Apocrypha

also

who

and

the

We

pass

personages

over

the

the

traditional

for the
group
combat

clear

as

the

old

that

of

intermediate

divergent

identified,and

fore,
there-

convincing

names

also

Perseus

**

of

Dragon"
of

Michael

Archangel
slays the

and

Greek

and

"Bel

have

We

the

be, that the Egyptian

can

between

connection

the

"

story with

same

reconciles

the

but

head, the

mythologies.

Typhon

in Roman
;

spear

for the

deduction

the

hawk*s

considers, evidence

evidence

legend

with

Horus

Egyptian

horseback

on

bas-

vestigat
dragon. Extending his inhas brought to light some

Ganneau

western

of

combat

the

St.

antiquity.

Egyptian

an

in

of

legend

remote

very

as

man

proofs of
startling
he

as

the

and

George

eastern

the

of

encounter

in the well-known

mistaken

M.
most

to

Ganneau,

the

found

crocodile

slayinga

armour

identified

he

against Set, or Typhon,

legend.

Clermont

M.

latelypublished,traces

treatise

George

Christian

prevailagainst him.

learned

given him

avails himself

he .makes

figure,when

same

chalice

poisoned

charming

Evangelist as

winged dragon

under

treading them

as

all

are

our

St.

steps by
and

the

the

Christian

dragon,
own

and

one

George.

which

qualitiesof

he
the

ingenious argu-

CREATURES
ments

the

to

as

chivalry

essential if not

monster

or

valiant

knight or
malignant creatures

was

as

rare

wicked

is that

personifiedby Spenser under

the type

and

beast,'*and

which

confronts

Knight,

every

turn

and

at

and

As

of

related

blatant
Cross

fiend, of gods
tongues,

most
unrighteous,

Figuer's

**

in

poison.

development
materials,
before

World

city of Klagenfurth,in Carinthia, is

which

six feet,and

is

sculptureda

head

from

it issued
A

country.

bold

rashness.

and

paying

monster,

The

this

the

the

lived in

time

to

knight

venturous

with

the

ravage
at

last kills

his

life the

of

the

pretended dragon

in

the

Hotel

furnished

the

sculptorfor
learned

de
a

Ville,and
model

forfeit of his

this head

of the

professorof

cave,

with

head

to

tain
foun-

ing
Accord-

horn.

stout

dragon

time

preserved

fountain.

dragon

monstrous

with

armed

popular tradition

whence

the

**

In the
on

in

dragon

of the

slender

from

the

"*

Deluge

the

of

prime

stingsteeps them
the inceptionand

dragon legend

following is

to

his

example

an

with

all the

men,

thousand

shameful, most

speaks thingsmost
untrue,

has

ydrad,*' who

men

and

gods

dreadful

of

hero, the Red

his

**

without

one

But

lady.
of

hateful

as

an

out
with-

romance

dreaded

most

of

dragon plays

; and

beautiful

in the

feats

dealing with

romances

leading part

dragon

some

symbolism

knight-errantry the

and

79

Fish-god.

th"

old

all the

ART

of the

meaning

of Dagon

worship
In

real

IN

has

dragon

Vienna

is

on

on
a

FICTITIOUS

8o
visit

of

cranium
some

city recognised it

the

to

the

capable of

some

back

bird, the
the

dragon
their

they

which

roc,

of

the

fable

famous

The

is also

discovery of

the

stances
circum-

the

important

people of Asia,

the

trace

we

reason

so

of

legends are

founded.

are

played

originatedin

have

and

the

as

discovery in

Its

explanation when

sources

which

myths

glance

all similar

and

"

such

to

on

probably originated the

had

knight and
them

at

fossil rhinoceros.

the

cave

SYMBOLIC

AND

part in

believed

to

gigantic

some

bones.
Chief

find the

we

St.

Dragon-slayers

among

huge dragon

St.

(fourth century),
if

St.

Keyne

the

St.

of

Cornwall
a

of

Clement

trust

may

killed

St.

Archbishop

we

St. Florent

to

George,

Sylvester, St. Samson,

"

said

have

destroyed

Hierapolis,in Phrygia.

at

Michael,

dragons

legend

following:

Philip the Apostle is

5/.

of Christian

old

slew

Pope

Margaret,
of

Dol

Donatus

all killed

Metz,

legends.

dragon.

terrible

who

dragon

haunted

Loire.

Cado, St.

St.
feats in
The
the

St. Paull

and

similar

did

Brittany.
of Worms

town

Diet

of

the

"

the

hero

(famous

Worms

Luther

Lied."

Maudet

Lind-wurm

was

held

as

before

summoned)

was
*'

or

Siegfried as
{Seeip.loo.)

dragon
related

the

placeat
which
its

owes

there
in

the

which

the
name

former
re-

to

conquered by
**

Nibelungen

CREATURES

Drachenfels,
from

called
Rouen

the

for

names

fabulous
bears

the

Tarasque

and

has

down

come

strange relic of

borders

and

complex

most

itself,and
terminating
that

seem

similar

name

introduction

Seine,

latter

The

gargoyle,"

perpetuated

in the

form

and

illuminated

ciuiously
chief

the

in
particularly
manuscripts,

of

interlacements
allied with

the

equally

styleperfectlyunique
the

heads,

kindred
founded

some

of the
of

of firearms.

art
on

and

elaborate

in

knots

wings and
in wonderfullyingeniouspatterns
genuity
inbeyond the limits of human

survival
to

crosses,

in draconic

almost

given

the

often decorate

which

other;

any

decoration

Another

art

character, often

In the

which

Romanus,

"

term

faith is

the ancient

interminable

extremities

animal

the

churches.

Irish

unlike

St.

which

heads

colouring,form

strange

in the

us

initials of

spiralsand

whose

by

in

century.

monsters

of ancient

ornament

conquered

that lived

early Celtic

interlaced

wrought
the

of

remains

the

local

Gargouille (waterspout)*

seventh

to

of old

waterspouts

in

in the

and

Gargouilleyboth

slain

the monstrous

applied to
the

dragon

so

gained by

city of Languedoc,

was

is

Aries

at

victories

Tarascon."

**

ravaged Rouen,
Bishop of Rouen,
name

and

of the

the great

was

; and

St. Martha

dragon.
of

name

8i

(Dragon Rocks),

preserved of

are

Tarasque

the

ART

monster

same

the

over

Rhine

the

on

legends

saints

IN

of

with

Scandinavia

find

serpentineforms.

dragon myth
our

we

exists in the

fightingmen
kind

of blunderbus

on

the

gave

FICTITIOUS

82
the

to

troops who

whence

used

muskets

^which

"

the

of

out

to

was

root

ecclesiastics,
was
would

of

mercies
**

ministers

same

the

of

its

which
"

Claverhouse

the

became

one

of

his

from

of
the

ceilingin

vicious

When

^nd

of the

awe

the

heretics

the

to

tain
cer-

tender
these
The

men."

to

the

practisedby

formed
Re-

dragons

*'

let loose

"

^in

leading part.
the

dragon

hence

Mercury;
'

properties

of

have

to

seems

the

dragon

chemist

the

and

his

drug pots, hung up

dusty stuffed crododile hanging
the laboratoryhad
to do service

some

for the monster,

the

"

painted upon

sign,and
the

alchemy

emblem

apothecary,was
as

took

In mediaeval

been

of

accompaniment

with

Presbyterians of Scotland,

the

upon

will

was

object

followed

who

good

conversion

Church
with

and

peace

if

left

were

of

Louis

Their

see

Dragonniers,

of

game

they

on

of Protestants

bishop,

to

sent

; if not

recant

all heard

have

persecutionsby

"heresy.**

out

wrought

was

of the world.

out

beast

fabulous

the

thousands

many

short

i.^.,

"

We

of

dragoons.

term

dragon

series

and

"

of

dragoniers,*'

^^

dragons

muskets.

drove

France

with

armed

of these

which

well-known

head

Dragonades,

XIV.,

of

name

spouted fire,like

The

the muzzles

it the

the

be

to

named*

so

used

is derived

They

SYMBOLIC

AND

inspirethe vulgar

mighty

who

man

had

with

found
pro-

conquered

reptile."*

apothecaries'signs were

heraldry,they

were
"

""

used

to

not

derived

typify cert^n

History of Signboards."

from

chemical

CREATURES
actions.
the

In

IN

old German

an

plates represents

underneath
"'This

is

dragon

contains

The

alchemy

on

his

of

one

tail ;

own

which, translated, signify:

and

the greatest

of similar

more

words
wonder

great

work

83

dragon eating

the

are

ART

the

strange;

very

medicament/'

much

and

import

Dragon

in the

Royal Heraldry of

Britain

**

Advance
Our

standards,set uftn cttrfiitf

onr

ancient

Insfirens

word

mtJk

of conrage fair Saint George

spleenoffery dragons/^

tie

Richard

"

^*

Come

not

between

the

**

The

dragon

emblem
it

with

only

was

does
the

as

not

of

sort

eagle still holding the

in consequence

been

nations
all the

either

races

new

of
have

of

the

of

the

first

settled

in

Teutonic

period

the

the earlier stages of Greek

which

when

place.

overran

classical

been

have

emblem

It

with

the

at

the

same

life.

Among

principal emblem,

and

the
have

other

nation
termito

seems

it held

in

the Teutonic

dragon
the

it

Amongst

race.

Europe

the

native

"

to

seems

dragon
place that

England

s.

they adopted

their intercourse

Pdasgic or
which

wrntbr

subordinate

first

occupied nearly

tribes

and

Ms

3.

v.sc.

King Lear/' Act i. tc.

to

seem

Romans,

and

drngm

III.,''Act

was

custom

from
of

FICTITIOUS

84

SYMBOLIC

AND

carrying the dragon in processionwith great jollity

rians.
is referred to by old histoto Burford
on
May eve
The
also to have
is said by Brand
custom
prevailed in Germany,
parts of

other
Nor

the

it

Celts

fimiliar with
"

blazing

his last

to

of fire."

dragon
The

battle,and

of the

air

of

Shakespeare says

the

sovereign's
made

have

us

he

all the

night a
and

drake

forth

rode

stream

the

phenomena

flying

of which

books.
and

Welsh

the

";

lightning) fierymeteors
"

Swift, swift,ye dragons of

bare

of

great Pendragon-

"fire,"

means

the

as

in old

frequentaccounts

May

or

national

flashes
dreigiaw (silent

"

making

^*

were

drag

the

helmet

fierydragon

Irish

hence

of

dragon

Arthur's

on

The

have

we

the

"

Teutonic

symbol

the

was

borne
and as such was
on
sovereignty,
Mr.
crest.
Tennyson's "Idylls"

ship

in

common

the

dragon peculiar to

Amongst

races.

probably

was

England.
the

was

and

raven's

the

night !
"

that

dawning

eye.'*
Cymbelineyii. 2.

of the

source
principal

countries

chief."

for

"

sort

of dictator

who

slew

head)

was

in times

among

in

of

the

name

battle slew

or

British

word

these

''dragon''

Pen-dragon (sumus rex)y a

of danger. Those
knights

got confounded

soon

The

use

Hence

chief

militarytitle
monster.

Celtic

is the

Dragon legends in

title

dragon,
with

the

and

the

fabulous

Pendragon (dragon's

kings

and

princes

what

CREATURES
Bretwalda

was

his

in

pendragonship

the

his

; and

the

raised

was

of

first quarter

or

fortune.

good

and

Uther,

authority
greater

was

and
valour, ability,

his father

succeeded

Arthur

85

confederation

the

over

according to

less

the Saxons

among

supremacy

or

ART

IN

the

to

sixth

century.
The

dragon

of

One

of

the

the

thy

strife of

the

*^

the shield

!"

Onslaught

And

Wave
Roll

his

Maglocue,
of

and

him

called

**

in

seat

The

thou

haste

thy
thee

of

Dragon

give

of

glee;

crimson

thy

thee.'*

to

who

terrible

Dragon

fierce-browed

signal/'

the

at
was

warrior

great

exploits had

whose

stature,

sounding war-

The

gathered round
king

his

struck

ponderous spada.
British

gates

to

his

foes, as

of

the

Isle,*'
perhaps from

surname

was

his

Anglesey.

Cuthred,
banner.

and

prepare

shout

of the Shield

arise 1 grasp

Uprise

ope

remarkable

rendered

the

day

of Hilda

children

Child

dragon'sflaming sign,

! conquest

'^TheDragon
with

the

wide

This

board

**

again :

high

Ho

steed

heathen.

invoked

Conquest,

snowy

the

among

thus

was

of

Son

Dragon,
;

symbol

of Odin

sons

silver spear
to

was

King

Uther

that

King

King
dragon

of Wessex,

also the

was

Pendragon,
Arthur

bravely withstood

bore

of
the

or

device

dragon
of

his

on

the British

Dragon's-head,father

chivalric

incursions

memory,

who

of the Saxons.

of
so

Two

FICTITIOUS

86

is,back

dragtms addorsed"ihzt
Arthur,

to

as

SYMBOLIC

AND

well

St.

hill where

the

on

killed the

George

blood

In

out.

ran

Cedric, founder
there

nothing

Naud,

of

bare

annals

West

and

Saxon

Naud

there

that

kingdom,

slew

is called

Naud,

ludh;

This

men.

5000

Natan-leod,
Naud-an-

corruption of

the

told

are

we

pendragon, with

the

legend says

placeis shown

will grow,

Saxon
the

the

where

dragon,

ascribed

^are

"

devices.

several other

as

Dragon's Hill, Berkshire, is

back

to

the

people's

refuge,*
It has

^^

sometimes

thought,"

Miss

says

it

figure,whilst

be

Edward

device.
borne

to

carried
Simon

"

the

and

the standard

The

dragon
at

the

Battle
in

"

fought in

place
the

the

On

dragon

of

the

banner

had

perhaps a

kind

to

prove
of
the

minster,
Westof

time

king

some

was

seems

other

of standard

of the

king. Henry III.

LeWes, fought against

of

1264

near

'

standard,' which

or

the presence

Montfort
Brewer's

was

Harold

yet Matthew

battle

that

dragon ;
,

tapestry

Hie

that

one

de

words

dragon

indicate

is, that

royal

constantly represented

describinga

the

imply

is

Harold

I., says

between

to

the

for

intended
in

pole

upon

Bayeux
raised

bore

banner

certain

the

From
Dragon Standard.
Bayeuz Tapettr/.

Mil-

the

lington,"that
Saxon

been

Dictionary of

Phrase

and

Fable."

CREATURES
*

**

STmoun

king

His

for Simon

King,

"

""

The
'

schewed

broidered

about

banner," adds
used

of

formed

"

in

the

wind,

of the

the

figuredin
for
but

it

of

his

It

in

formed

charge

upon

the

"

the

was

tomary
cus-

in

there

reign
of

the

Tudor

of

are

it is
tions
direc-

Henry

their

shield

the

battle

the

Ironside;

portion

first of

VII.

the

"

borne

was

and

its mouth

England from

tapestry, and

one

of

Edmund

Bayeux

bearings,i.e.yas

one

kings

and

making

never

Henry

the

dragon,

contrived

so

air/

the

upon

is

inflated,and

Planchi,

Mr.

which

gold

with

manner,

length

Conquest.

Canute

between

as

body became

entire

of

standard
time

certdn

This

Dacians,

long pike,and

dragon," says

The

gold, and

perhaps resembled

Marcellinus

on

its sinuous

stretched

*^

and

vermilion/

and

Parthians

fixed

held

when
the

adorned

purple stuff, resplendent with

preciousstones
to

and

gold

Ammianus

by

silk

fair lilies of

Millington,

the

Crecy carried

red

and

with

Miss

by

described

that

broad

very

dragoun.*

his

of

of

the

to

battle

same

Battle

the

at

scheld,

restricted

Displaiedhis banere, lift up

with

that

his

time

in the

burning dragon, made

beaten

forth

that

at

himself

English

87

fiillaustere/

dragon

however,

not,

was

his banere

put up

The

ART

feld,

the

to

com

And

It

IN

IIL,

armorial

of arms.'*

line, assumed

as

badges the

red

dragon

of

Cadwallader

"

FICTITIOUS

88
*^

Red

dragon

dreadful."

and

dragon

of

monarch.
the

bore

Field

he

offered

image

of

St.

three

of

the dun

dun

is

cow

V., Mary

Edward
as

had

at

of

VIII.

used

battle

to

one

the

was

fierce

**red
"

(the

sarsenet

the

on

yellow tartan,
from

Guy

slsdn

cruelle beaste

of

Heath.*'

the

day before

his

all

or, the

for supporters

the

varied

greyhound.

collar

red

VIIL,

but

Lancastrian
the

Rouge

carried

royalarms^

superseded by

the

coronation

VII., Henry

Elizabeth
the

of

badges

the office of

Henry

and

St. Paul's,

his descent

one

the

the

to

upon

(A greyhound argent, collared

with
rose
a
a
gules, was
Henry

After

Tudor)

founded

times

Field

of Dunsmore

still

supporter

position,and

white

and

cow

1485).

29,

and

of

wyld

on

other

cow

monarch

dragon pursuivant

(October

who

ye dun

This

Guards.

in

Kng

first

Bosworth

On

the

House

token

monstrous

Called

on

dun

in

cow,

of Wanfnck,

dragon

and

in state

standards.

the

painted

was

of

went

green

upon

livery colours

The

from

his descent

standard.

Henry

George,

beaten

dragon

Earl

bore

Tudor,

prince

Battle

dragon

where

"

British

the

At

Bosworth

third

of

(678 A.D.), the dragon being the ensign of

of Wales

Henry

of

proof

in

Cadwallader, the last

that

aboriginalprinces

grandfather,Owen

his device

as

the

terrupted
unin-

an

Uthcr, Caradoc, Halstan, Pen-

His

"c.

dragon,

Henrjr claimed

from

descent

Britain, Arthur

SYMBOLIC

AND

charged
badge.)

dragon

and

CREATURES
V)hite
lion

silver

sometimes

greyhound

unicorn

and

have

to

appears

of

dragon

white

the

of

specialbadge

settled

royal badges,as

Scottish

supporter,

the

within

rose

the

as

principality

The

801,

present
are

England.

red

red

dragon being

the

union,

the

at

VIIL,

greyhound, "c

positionit stillretains.

Wales, which

the

permanently superseded

be the

relegatedto

of Scotland

sinister

supporter of the royal arms,

other

antelope^

adopted by Henry

Wales, the white

other

at

James,
the

and

dragon

union

the

for

the /ro)ygardant^ first

while

red

goldenlion^an

King

substituted

was

89

crowned

On

under

England

and

ART

family;

bull^a cocky"c.

wkiie

of

his

gardant gold^

times
a

of

greyhound

IN

Scotland.

thistle

....

harp

stringed argent^

or^
^

and

shamrock

trefoilor

Ireland.

vert

Upon

mount

The

III.

bages

(Ulster)ys

thick

fortress
name

at

he

expanded
Wales.

his

summit

had
the

Burghs,

signifying
dragon, and

dragon.
of

rock
as. women

his

of Ulster.

winding
a

Wolsf

through

states
Antiquities/*

walls
of

Earls

black

Earldom

dragon** derived

Northern

misshapen
the

badge
beryth by

De
"

blacke
the

Mallet, in
the

that
a

from

mother

as

dragon

endorsed^gules

Richard
**

vert^

wings

passanty
and

"

"

were

round

**

called

that
rude

by

of distinction

FICTITIOUS

90

of

ages

castles for

in such

of

the

during

were,

afterwards

the

arose

beauty

great

delivered

by

until

of
signification

dragon

is

such

who

one

him

the

granted,

It

was

his

title of

doughty

it

and
or

power

supreme

it denotes
forded
af-

helpless by

whom

to

pauant.

overcome

protection

to

has

fortress, or

the

by

common

heraldic

successfully

foes

had

terrible

The

guardians/*

inspired in his

they

their

overcome

Dragoa

achieve

not

rescue

by

heroes

young

could

their

romances

guarded

being

who

placed

chivalry, commonly

security,thence

princesses of

dragons, and

SYMBOLIC

AND

the

was

terror

warlike

ing.
bear-

ai%ong

the

early British.
The
in

has

British

armoury,

triumph

for

the

This

Wales

of

purpose

seems

dragon

always

dragon

standard

over

been
the

"

{y Ddraig

in

some

dragon

Full

of

instances

mighty foe,
enemy

especiallythe
**red

Cock)

honourable

an

inspiring the

have

to

been

dragon

described

grete

fyre and

and
eke

as

to
or

with
case

ing
bearmemorate
com-

merely
terror.

with

dreadful"

grimme

venymme."

the
of

CREATURES

The

Crocodile

crocodile

aaurians, the

of the

prototypes

crocodile

The

is

and

dragons

the

antediluvian

we
alligator,

the

see

hydras of poeticfancy.
huge amphibious reptile,

and

well-known

91

Prototype of the Dragon

the

as

ART

existingrepresentativesof

the

In

IN

resembling a great lizard

general contour
be easily
with largehorny scales that cannot
covered
pierced,except underneath, and reaching twenty-five
crocodile was
held sacred
to thirtyfeet in length. The
in

by

ancient

the

Indian

land,

Though

seas.

it darts

beings entering the

creatures,

water

the
Alligator,
the Spanish
is Lacertus

crocodile

or

well

as

dangerous
to

human

one

name,

vie."

of

uncertain

Greek

origin.

crocodile, takes its

Ligarto^ the

lizard.

The

name

Latin

Lacerta^
her

**

says

anciently to

seem

Bestiarus,**says

ceste

El

Romance,"

and

Poetry

'^

American

Millington,in

Miss

under

it is

lingeringincautiously

or

word
at/"oKoSciXoc
a
{krokodeilos)

form

as

after

water

crocodilus of Linnaeus, from

It is the Lacerta

from

the

upon

bank.

the

The

creature

rapiditythrough

other

and

dogs

to

with

rivers of the

in the

awkward

an

is its best-

and

was

is its appropriatefood, but

fish,which

on

Nile

habitat ; it is also found

known

also

Egyptians,the

and
that

Guillim,

that
*^

an

Heraldry

History,

that

both

dragon

have

been

confounded

Philip

crocodiUe

old

in

de

Thaun,

in

signifiediable

heraldic

and

his
en

writer, says:

The

^*

AND

FICTITIOUS

92

SYMBOLIC

naturallyso

dragons are

that

hot

they

by drinking of waters, but still gape

refresh them, as appeareth in Jeremiah

be cooled
air to

of

author

Young,

of

Job

lying under
breath, when

*^

says

and

smoke.

any

means

out

The

the

horse

most

CoUectumque

Heraldic

mythicaldragon

of the

with

the

with

impenetrablemail

huge body

formidable
which

is

of

in

great and

to

shoot

dreadful

ears

and
in

gleaming

spike.
a

forked

He

to

naribus

represented in

ignem/*

heraldic

art

reptilesaurian type covered

platesand scales,a row of
his head

deadly sting;

with
jaws,gaping and bristling
forth sparks and
flame; his
seem

him

mated,"
ani-

Dragon

spinesextending from

ends

and

by

ventures

poets

volvit sub

premens

fire

his breath
fierce

so

of

correct

its

it resembles

not

suppresses
is he

hold

to

long repressedis

that
violently

so

The
The

the breath

metaphor r^arding

same

forced

being there

long, neither

so

yet the
use

paraphrase of part of the

crocodile,say the naturalists,

it emerges,

bursts

hot, and

xiv. 6.*'

his

The
and

water,

for the

note
Night Thoughts,'* in a footof the
magnificentdescription

**

appended to the
in
leviathan (crocodile),
book

cannot

fire ; from

is furnished

tongue,

his

hideous
round

four

to

his

enormous

fangs,belch

luminous
his

with

tail,

nose

eyes

issues

sharp-pointed

ating
sturdy legstermin-

eagle'sfeet stronglywebbed,

clawing

and

CREATURES
his prey.

clutching at
with

armed

wings

back

and

The

thdr

93

leathern

bat-like

wings

his

ment
equip-

always

"

endorsed,"

that is,

back.
of

books

modern

our

heraldry

dragons of

the

prime,

It is curious

slime.'*

degradation from

the

other

in this the

note

to

each

that tore

type of the

magnificentsaurian

far removed

art

from

ordinary four-legged creature

that

and

given

with

to

an

weaker, his mighty

most

ancient

of

heraldic

artists

his

form

in

this
and

Such

attributes.

by

of
not

such

the
be
a

Crett, a Dnfon't

meaningless
the

hands

and

be

Head

erated

collared

chained.

of
The

twentieth-centuryartists.
to

to

per
pro-

creature

and

appendage, shrunk

This

of

splendid a:eation
fancy sKould
weak

longer

like
un-

of

lack

represented

legs are

displays

knowledge
mythical

His

modern

our

remarkable

caudal

not

type
proto-

the crocodile.
error

form

useless

and
insignificant

his

scales.

plates and

proportion,and

to

in

gradual

best period of heraldic

covered

is

impostor, a degenerate representativeof

miserable
**

ART

points,complete

are

to

of

dragon

those

Great

hook's

sharp

The
elevated

IN

preferredas

work

ancient
of

form

is infinitely

symbolic art.

Arms

of

the

arc

the

City

the

of the

supporters

crest

London.

of

dragon's sinister wing.

blazoned

sword

pale point upwards of

on

in

Argent

dragon

with

charged on

the

either side

argent

and
y

The
similar
The

crest

is

dr

wings

County

seab

dragon {see
The

of many

Supporters
y

elevated
a

and

addorsed^

gules.

cross

agonessinister wing charged

Chester

of

each

with

have
p.

dragon
towns,

St.

for its supporters

has

holding an

Basingstoke, Linlithgow
town

last.

the

thus

are

firstquarter^

in the

with

wing

They

cross.

dragons,

two

guks^

cross

dragons

City of London,

of the

arms

^Two

"

ostrich
and

Michael

feather.

Dumfries

on

overthrowing

the
the

72).
appears
and

in

various

also in those

forms
of

some

in the

peers.

arms

CREATURES
of

One

of

coats

the

of

the

device

with

gorged

mural

Examples

dragon,

wyvern.

"

George

"

with

Vlll.

Henry
by

device

of

the

have

Mr.

says

on
battle-piece

weU

and

George noble of
George slayingthe dragon

Manual,"

equally

III.

crocodile, winged

foreigneremployed

collection, but

of

arms

scales.

St

Orleans

George

that

reverse,

of the

Cough.

it

to

to

the

was

Collector's

figure in

Sinittcr supporter

of

platesand

handsome

Coin

pendent

similar

Pistrucci,

This

properly

is

represents

similar

only

Vitoount

body

covered

have

to

in the Order

Garter
a

amples
ex-

with

The

**

it

when

the

early

legs,others

two,

gold.
of

form

some

or,

ably
consider-

represent it

with

the word

vary

the

in

the

present
re-

crown

chained

and

China,'

of Viscount

upon

sable, inscribed with

four

to

flag). A dragon

Chinese

"*

is

shield

the

(intended

dragon

elaborate

and

is that

times

modern

95

sinister supporter

The

Gough.

extraordinary

most

of

arms

ART

IN

is
an

several

furnished

sovereigns and

at

Noel

the

Humphrey,

nearly a

copy

antique gem
Greek

the

mint.

coins
model.

from
in

the

might
Old

five-shilling
pieceshave

FICTITIOUS

96
this
the

SYMBOLIC

AND

finelyconceived

most

of the

reverse

and
It also

coins.

device

executed

some

upon

appears

on

is naturally
sovereignsof Queen Victoria. Prominence
given to the figure of St. George, the dragon in

being

consequence

Siven
An

great Juais

hnasty

iron

tail

His

was

out

of Hi body greto^

hack

and

all imbrued

And

in its relative size.

diminished

ofscalytrass

in blood kis eyes did shine

stretched

out

in wondrous

Spbnsbr, "Faerie
The

is

hydra

with

as

glass
^

length,^

Queen,"

Book

not

of

dragon

frequentoccurrence
a

bearingin

with

golden apples

the

Hesperides, slain

by

Hercules,

celebrated

in

mythology

From

Greek

Lernean

Hydra,

the

in

Argolis,destroying both

number

of

its heads

varies

men

with

classic
so

and
the

was

hydra,
of

monster

that

country

of

was

Lernean

marshes

Tate.

guarded

the

the

the

dragon,

hundred

one

heads, that

and

as

armory.

terrible

The

Hcrcukt

vii.

i. c

represented in heraldry as

heads ; it is

seven

the

ravaged
of Lerna

b^ts.
poets,

The

though

CREATURES
ancient

usuallyrepresent

gems

Hercules

sent

was

After

labours.
he

arrows

IN

drivingthe

attacked

Ttc

of

head

each

he

his

seven

nine.

or

of his twelve

one

from

its lair with

sword,

and

sprang

up.

in

place

Hjdra"

off

struck

as

monster

it with

97

it with

kill it

to

ART

two

Setting

he
with the firebrands
neighbouring wood
of the Hydra until he at length
the throat
seared
in slayingit. The
fable is usuallyreferred
succeeded
fire to

to

in

illustration of
as

^^

Whereon
Whose

which
difficulty

it is combated.
this

Hydra

on

creasing
in-

(See page 63.)

son

dangerous eyes

goes

of

may

war

is born

well be charmed

Henry

IK

asleep.**

part ii.sc.
o

2^

FICTITIOUS

98
The

Lernean

of

garden
snake

or

of

writers, only
relics of

the

hydra,

the

SYMBOLIC

AND

Hesperides,
Hindu

the

of

some

the

watchful

the

the

dragon of

many-headed Naga

religion,are,

the

ancient

many

the

forms

say

learned

under

which

serpent-worshipexhibited

itself.
A

hydra^ wings

of Barret
names

of

endorsed

verty scaled or^ is the

It is also

Avely, Essex.

Crespine and

borne

crest

by

the

Downes.

Wyvem

holding

6ear-de-lit.

^iit aSEsbern
(Saxon,

JViverey

serpent) said

to

represent

resemblingthe
flyingserpent, an imaginary creature
legs,which are like an
dragon, but having only two

CREATURES

represented

nowed

is

figured

tapestry
It

is

though

perhaps
classed
of

say

emblems

termed

of

manner

serpents.

writers,

they

may
Old

ary
imagin-

these
that

they

are

pestilence,and

of

animals

invulnerable

sometimes

86).

p.

together.

represented as

fierce

the

some

monsters

are

of

{see Dragon,
by

heralds

99

Bayeux

erroneously

be

the

the

dragon
both

after
one

on

in

standards

ART

serpent-liketail, barbed,

eagle*s,and
It

IN

strong

covered

mail, and

and

Wjjem,

winf

endorted,

"

tail nowed.

with

fitlytypify viciousness
In

envy.

they
the

or
a

armory

properly

are

applied

and

to

tyranny
of

overthrow

vicious

enemy.

Occasionally
wyvern
the

usual

not

Sir

from

the

Garter

John Ora/, 1436

plate of
A.D.

is

say

^'without

"or

^'without

legs,*'but
Wrrern

It

"

to

wyvern

wings

and

wings.

Lindworm.

with

is borne

tail nowed

without

sans

wings

"

or

sans

Ugs^

as

the

FICTITIOUS

loo

case

be.

may

termed

dragon

lindworm.

Argent^

or

80.)

endorsed

wings

is

wings

sans

wyvern

{Seepage

wyvern^

SYMBOLIC

AND

of Ashe,

of Drake^

arms

the

gules^ are

(Bart.),1600.

Devon
The

of

town

for

has

ter
Leicescrest

wings expanded^

wyverny

with

legSystrewed

sans

woundsy gules.

Argent

of

rampant

bend

between

sabUy

lions

two

the

lastya
in bend

volant

wyvern

fields langued

the

of

on

guleSyRuddings.
Two

wyvernSy

wings

and

emitting

endorsed

the supporters

flames^are
of Viscount
The

of
WTvem,

or

(German

holding
a

ducal

as

"

^The

Visconti,Lords

couronnee
a

erect

is

crest

on

King

are

two

ported
sup-

wyvems

their tails or, each

demi-wyvem

out

of

coronet.

Guivre.
the

Portugal
by

version.)

the

of the

arms

Lindwonn.

banner,

Arbuthnot.

wyvern

or

of Milan,

in

serpent
argent

d^or^ issante de gules(Guivke

serpent

or

winglessdragon

sans

the

guivre
is

arms

of

d^ azure

represented

feet,with

child's

CREATURES

body issuingfrom
victory of

the

St. Denis
Miss

inhabited

in

that

well

as

its

as

is said

think

by

from

built

church
the

innumerable

and

overcome

light

in

also

of

in

the

or

of

church

of

story

the

coat-of-arms

the

from

wings

dragon

of

of

might

the

Baptism,
the

legends

that

Wyveni,

it

as

site

Holy

dragons
which

the

to

city,
the

upon

rite

the

{See

the

delivered

were

the

that

adoption

rather

allusion

expelled

fiery dragon

hardly possible,"says

(Early example.)

bears

under

It is

to

commemorate

to

over

cavern
"

lOl

displayed.

wings

WyTcrn,

**not

ART

house

place.

Millington,

dragon

mouth),

of that

lord

which

guivre

its

IN

power
of

saints

of

Serpent Biscia,

p.

was

117.)

by

which

children

who

the
too,

especially

Satan.

sufficientlyprove

creature

paganism,

seem,

in

cave,

depressed.

have
the

anciently

Indeed,

fought
symbolic
viewed."

FICTITIOUS

I02

SYMBOLIC

AND

The

Chimera

of
imaginary fire-breathingmonster
invented
swiftness and strength,
by the ancient
An

it is

mentioned

Though

poets.
not

described

as

British

with

in

having

the

met

head,

lion,the
tail of
the

existence

chi^I^mu,
Greek

coin.

volcano

on

part afforded
infested
three

with

to

mountain

his

it with
^

Amid

of

On

his

the

winged

which

had

middle

bottom

the

Hesiod

was

it had

dragon.

by raisinghimself

monster

steed

League-

story of the

goat, and

lion, a

of

coins

lions ; the

according to

serpents ;

other

no

imagination.

Lycia

pasture for goats, and

the

Pegasus,

and

shooting

arrows.

the

High
A

on

in

nourished

Bellerophon destroyed the

air

the

applied

the Achaean

origin of

its top and

heads, that

in the

the

representedupon

The

is ascribed

chimera

in

but

of

creature

is
have

figuresas

Sycion during

"

this

"chimerical'*

all such

It is

legs

goat, and

From

dragon.

and

of

is

; it

armour

mane

body

term

to

coat

Greek

authorities,

heraldic

by

great

troops, and

o'er the

rest

triplepileof
which

with

The

more

the

The

more

with

in

like the
the

arms

plumes

leadinggod.

his

crest

belching flames
kindled

combat

fiiryburns

the

gracefulTurnus

rode

adorned.
chimera
rises

burned

higher,

blazing fire.*'

Virgil, jEneid^ Book

vii.

CREATURES

Phillip11.
of

Mary

of

to

Spain,after

being

monster

family of
carnation

feet of

an

head

^*

motto,

intended

his time

waited

he

Hinc
for

him

by

should

The

it

makes

more

different

The
of

the

hinder

Or^

the

the

and

has

blazoned

lion

conjoined

dragon.

gules and

crowned

or^

three

lion^dragons

countercharged. Easton.
"

Gorgon

already

quotation from

been

Milton.

anything unusually hideous.

three

and

and
entirely,
hi^rpy.

forepart of

The
Reference

the

Bretignifamily.

chevron

per

has

and

creature

lion-dragongules armed^ langued and

ducally crowned

wings

Lion-Dragon

part of

of the firstsis
Party

the

and

eagle'swings

and

woman,

properlybe

compounded

and

arms

head

the

illustration,
however,

for

have

argent,

(or proper),

breasts of

and

Verona

chimera

eagle.

feet, and

were

the

which

of

Fada

winged

breasts

in

device, Bellerophon

chimera, and

the

103

destroy.

Gules

to

ART

marriage with Queen

as

England's heresies

The

is

his

England, assumed

fighting wich
vigilo/'the
type

of

IN

gorgons,

with

made
The
In

to

now

name

classic

serpents

the

on

gorgon
denotes

story there
their

heads

FICTITIOUS

I04

of

instead
and

the

her

face

turned
head

hair.

to

of

Book

alludes

Lest

Gorgon

With

horrors

fix

Should
A

in eternal

picture,in

to

name

murdered

from
name.

in

monster

its look

egg

or

breath

hatched

constitute

interfered

with.

by

the

the

it rather

of

be

to

to

discovery of

sight

produced

an

old

**This

writer,

deadly poison

difficult

its

heraldryonly

dunghillcock.

ordinary weapons
a

be

serpent ; hence
of

wyvern

nature/* says
is said

to

said

was

like that

that

this, in addition
would

creature

head

is of

the

uses

(tocftatrtce

It differs from

having

3,

gorgon."

new

cock's

ii. sc.

Act

chamber, and destroy your

the

chimerical
a

sight,

monstrous

W^t
This

lakes

hissingsnakes.

word, the horrible

Duncan

Approach
With

night.**

Shakespeare,in Macbeth^

And

the

"Odyssey/*

creature

the

her

(termed

the

curls of

at

was

instantly

was

the infernal

and

stiffened

me

in

the dread

armed,

three,

hideous

Minerva

of

risingfrom

it

the

by Perseus, and

Homer,
to

image

stony

slain

the shield

So

on

eyes

was

Minerva).

xi. thus

^^

set

She

stone.

mortal.

was

whoever

chief of

the

was

that

placed upon

^gis

the

Medusa

only one
that

SYMBOLIC

AND

"

*'

that

and

of offence,

creature

to

be

CREATURES
The

cockatrice

hand

the

on
"

den

of

type

child shall put

weaned

ART

los

frequently referred

is

the

Scriptures as

IN

in

to

"The

evil

something

the

his

cockatrice's

ing
(Isaiahxi. 8), mean-

that

the

most

animal

shall

not

most

feeble

noxious
the

hurt

of

God's

creatures.

And

among

shall

send

charmed,
bite

will

which

you

be

cockatrices,

serpents,

not

I will

behold,

*'For

viii.

Jeremiah

you,

and

they

saith

the

Lord/'
.

The
borne

cockatrice
us

charge

To

supporter.

it had

wyvern

would

doubt

terrific

profile,the
directed
/.^.,

mailed

similar

dealing death;

to

render

it

its enemies.

The

or

of

form

the

livid

with

its

back

tail is

barbed

its

deadly

sting,

objectto behold,

It is

wings endorsed,

otherwise.

with

fearful

as

dunghill cock,

the

to

also

head

crested

hideous

heraldry,

and

dracoiiic

serpentine tail,

and
no

shield

the

upon

glitteringeyes

tongue

and

the

in

frequent emblem

the

wattles

dangling
round

is

always
to

borne

in

back, unless

frequentlynowed^

knotted.

Sable^ a
Bothe.

cockatrice

or, combed

and

wattkd

gules.
"

io6

FICTITIOUS

SabUy

SYMBOLIC

AND

cockatrice^
displayedargent^ crested^member

ed

andjellopedgules. Baggine.
"

Jellofed^jowlopped^
comb

or

tincture
similar

the

gillsor wattles,when

of

from

body.

membered^

the

have

manner,

exactly resembles
head

reference

of

the

to

of

barb

dragon)

Asp and

Scorpion and

legs.

in

heraldry

having

at

tional
addi-

an

the

end

and

tail

of

its

sting.

or

complicated monsters'

With

and

in

(tocftatrtce
basilisk

or

different

beak

cockatrice, but

the

and

^mptsstan

(likethat

tail instead

Beaked

cockatrice

amphysian

^^

describe

to

crest, and

or
!3a0tlt0ft^
The

used

terms

head

dire."

Amphisbcena

MiLTOK.

Amphisbana^
referred

body

and

to

by

Amphista^

or

old

wings,

writers

of

serpent, and

Bossewelle, in
ending in a like head.
of Honour,'"
folio 63, enlarging upon
describes

**

prodigiousserpente

for that he hath

too

were

Earl

little to
Howe

double
custe

has

head,
his

for

serpentshead

or^

as

caUed

*'A

the

rmorie

this

idea,

Amphybene,

though

one

mouth

supporters
tails

combed^ wattled

two

cockatrices

nowed^ a^d ending

and

leggedgules.

Argent^ a basilisk^wings endorsed^ tail nowed,

"

tail

venyme.^'

{amphysian\ wings elevated^the

in

dragon's

the

having
a

sometimes

creature

as

head

the

is

LangUyy Rathorpe Hall,

Yorks.

sable,

CREATURES

Basilisk^the

king),
shaped
of

other

and

do

tells of

the

The

glitteringeye.
of

1575),
eternal

Alva, the scourge

where

( 1 566left the

he

of

memory

for

cruelties,had

his

device

Batilitk

basilisk

drawing

serpents, with
"

dost

(**Thou

for

emblem
alone"), a fitting
In

allusion

Alexander,

to

say
look

its

it fixed

whom

me

of

its power

to

"

Cockatricey

tail nowcd.

motto

tantum

nonune

name

on

the

Amphytian

or

out

"

Tu

accounts

afraid

are

of the Netherlands

mitre-

effect of his breath

deadly
Duke

head

says,

serpents

it," and

and

his

on

strange

Pliny

flee from
of

(Greek, Basileus, a

give wonderful

writers

this

creature.

"all

having

P07

death-dealing

of

power

ART

serpents

from
Old

crest.

the

of

king

called

so

IN

*'

great

so

looking

frown

not

any

by thy

so

monster

dead

one

makes

eyes," Dryden

Nay,

much

so

; you

Clytus
cannot

dead,"
^*

Plunging
Or

like

boar

in mastiff's

his tusk

when
basilisk,

gore,

roused, whose

Teeth, sting and

breath.

eyeballsall are

death.''

King, ^rt

King Henry,

when

he

hears

of

the

of Love.
death

of

his

FICTITIOUS

io8

uncle

Suffolk

to

the

Humphry,

kill the

and

Beaumont

innocent

Fletcher
"

death-dealing eye
Its appearance
mirror

and
the

in

placed

was

Christian
the

Art

type of

serpents pave
he

the

soul

stamped

to

the realms

with
in the

universal

the

horror

emblem

St. Basil the

fear.

and

of

deadlysin

Great

it

uses

as

woman.

remembrance,''

he

the

abyss of

The

of

is

Pluto.

symbol

Is

it

of heathen

displayed

Tartarus.

gates
of

the

pents
ser-

the

he

when

not

serpents

even

Mercury,
of

Proserpine ;

; and

image

Dean,

says

mythological fable

every

universal

the

torment

in his hand

holds

in

wheek

caduceus

the

of

retains

guards

chariot

Tartarus.

upon

with

itself,it

see

paradisaical
serpent

the

constitute

said, that if

was

it could

that

basilisk's

the

**

Hater."

dreadful, it

cerberus

upon

which

Woman

which

position

coiled

The

of

iii.2.

Act

Mythical Serpent

of the

cuno-draconictic
are

speak

it is the

depraved

of the power
the

also

remarkable

most

thy sight."

King Henry FL

asunder

evil.

spiritof

with

gazer

so

instantlyburst

**Thb

in

so

was

The

"*

**

basilisk

come

In

Gloucester, says

And

would

of

Duke

good
^*

SYMBOLIC

AND

man
talis-

conveys

serpent is
connected

probable

idolatrywe

nise
recog-

object of primitive worship,

serpent of paradise?

'*

that

the

CREATURES

the

meant

thing or

Drakon,
In

person*
the

Serpens,
animal.

In

creature

The

and

true

the Sn

denoted

where

kind

python, black
the

snake,

minute

Thej

of

terrible

its

which

by

the

the

which

de

snake, viper,"c.

So

constrictor, anaconda,
snake.

poison, and

is

The

it into

Egyptians ;

it

stifF,
or,

of

never

being
which

motion
up
in

Egypt,

held

they

snake
of

nape
of

kind

or

in great

it is this
the

the

the
lepsy,
cata-

it,turns

term

rod.

All snakes, says the celebrated

take

of

truly one

and

as

for

is celebrated

asp

into

finger,throw

renders

rattlesnake, cobra

jugglers,by pressingon

with

neck

surround

the

common

its genus.

the

no

To

Cleopatra'sasp {^Coluber
naja^Lin.),was
veneration

is

there

ribs

viper,V. Brashyura^

intensityof

most

boa

the

non-venomous,

without

of the trunk.

hooded

capello,spectacledor
the

the

belong

groveller.'*

genera

the

the crawling

which

in

great part of the circumference

venomous

the

comprise

vestigeof shoulder, but

the

into

strangler
;
the coiling

meant

all

sees

well

the

was

ak

Ophis

that

Coluber,

breastbone,

or

Greek,

looks

uis,

creature

Adder

serpents

sternum

that

one

Saxon

own

our

tribe in the

especiallyone

Latin, Ang

winding

109

^Mn

says,

seeing creature,

it ; and

round

ART

of the snake

names

languages," Ruskin

great

of the

Speaking

^"

IN

and

left

from
down

contact

is somewhat

"

with

to

the
the

elevated.

naturalist

right or
whole

vice

extent

versa

of

ground, saving
This

Waterton,

the
the

"

but

body
head,

is equallyobserv-

FICTITIOUS

no

able
a

both

snake

know

land and

on

is the

and

common

dead

Snakes

prey.
are

of

set

have

scale similar
when

in

the

with

away

such

no

and

snake

render

to

it

snake

powerless

it makes

and

placed by

casts

is

it,and

that

The

move,

Waterton

by

creatures

composition

see

blame.

power.

not

been

have

eyelids;they

the

eye

beautiful,do

very

and

its

we

attitude, we

accepted notion

their destruction

to

when

up-and-down

an

misconception exploded

fascinate

by

Thus,

water.

artist is to

the

that

once

Another

can

in

represented in
at

SYMBOLIC

AND

eyes, which
have

they

new

one

body,

scale

slough, this

no

under

nature

the scales of the

replaced by

its

comes

on

new

skin.
Noli
harm

me

offensive

the

which

from
when

waiting for

in

bull

to

mouse,

into action

roused

by

the

thilt,in self-defence

intruder

by

writer

giving

an

a
or

prick (not
not,

in the

be

may

*tis then

fang,fatal

man

acceptable). But

it

*^

very miracle

breathing; it

is

of
as

danger,
punish the

will

new

the

its size and

of

July
dwells

had

gentle

as

1883,

23,

in the

upon

just

loveliness.
reptilian

poison-

virulence.

reptilehouse

ZoologicalGardens, Regent'sPark,
surpassing beauty of a python that
skin,

ture,
crea-

any

from
laceration)

(he

on

largerspecies

when

snake

Daily Telegraph
of

acts

fear of sudden

according to

account

the

to

suitable

never

meal,

intent

most

(except perhaps only

be

may

towards

snake, which

with

me

Waterton,

is, continues

"

for

motto

touch

fangere-^-donot

me

the
its

cast

Watch

child, and

the

CREATURES
lamia

beautiful

head

like

rests

coils.

softlyheaving

the

voluptuous lazy thing of

The

all its

it seems,

so
thrilling,

scale, and

measuring

hope

is

of

out

of destruction

destiny.''

of

multitude

the

honours

hardly
in the
**

The

adds
modern
snake
overcome

the

same

that

be

tedious

snake-lore

that

has

nations

swift
itself,

as

recapitulatethe

to

which

the

in the

past.

worm

awful

made
A

"

dire

"

could

volume

scattered

up

by

and

down

fable.

historyand

ZoologicalGardens, however,**

writer,

^'

though

it may

old-world

the

challenged
it,presents

world

the

It is fate

fears of the

realityof

after coil

life is throttled

and

awe,

and

python

poisonin

no

Coil

that

times, dignifiedand

of

let those

strugglingobject,and

our

the

every

retribution, incomprehensibleas

would

exhaust
pages

as

in

still worship, this emblem

myths through

to

come

in

death.

and

It

is

wonder

serpent

disaster,deliberate

has

No

worshipped, and

have

and

relentless pressure

but

the

Once

the

python,

threatening

is death.
there

the

defiantly,

passion

the victim.

to

round

limb.

every

always held
should

which

gone

rapidlythrown
with slow

itself

air, with

the

of

ago, the

eager

fangs strike home,

all

them,

then

in

the circle within

recurved

is

with

of

dart

instead

and

complete, erects

terrors

the

gleaming length

moment

ever,
how-

danger threaten,

Let

vengeful convolutions.
rustles
proudly into menace,

crowning jewel upon

those

head,

1 1

lightningis hardlyquicker than

and

With

ART

IN

the

to

us

fable

strength of
only

one

stand
of
the

as

the

gigantic
gods to

side of

snake

FICTITIOUS

Ill

It

nature.

possesses

subtle

more

it is

then

were

extended

to

of

the

king

larger.

in

and

swift ; and

length ;

hold

might

in his

terrible ; their

minute
and

China

horrid

and

his

converted

into

representedwith
of

of

privilegesof

into

the

the snake

with

the

whereunto
to

and

by

were

removed

serpent

antiquity

pay honours."

of

when

he

staff entwined

medicine,

appeared
is

he

with

citizen.
bears

always

Similarly represented
physician
dreadful

of

golden

Cos;

in
pestilence,

crown,

Therefore
in her

hand

it is
a

at

serpent,

Peloponnesian War,
with

Zeus

Elysium*

to

pestilence; therefore

the

health

fear

Apollo, god

from

transferred,and

Harmonia

famous

publicly rewarded
goddess of

of

his

Athens

beginning

wife

healing.

Hippocrates,
delivered

hastened

of

son

during

serpent legend

first struck

attributes

serpents

form

the

man

largerspecies.It was the small

carried in their fangs such rapid

ancients,and invested

iCsculapius,

the

Cadmus

symbol

the

few

lightning

as

cockatrice, that

afterwards

was

heraldry

dire,'a

cerastes

fabled

Egypt

Rome

kinds,

basilisk,crowned

the

to

assumed

little

horned

death, which

mysterious and
from

The

tiny aspic,fatal

that

of the

minds

and

the

venom

worms,

ruthless

deadlier

and

hand, first made

unnatually,to

not

the

vipers;

inches
as

Probably
apprehensions of men

by superstition,
poetry

the

digious
pro-

venomous.

the smaller

originatedreallyfrom
and

not

fearful

and

and

surprising beauty

but

strength;
the

SYMBOLIC

AND

and

was

who
the
was

and

th^

that

the

serpent.

CREATURES
of

caduceus

The

IN

Mercury

was

sleep to

whomsoever

Lost," stylesit

Paradise

"

With

"

From

dark

the

his caduceus

regions of

in silent shoals

Or

drove

To

night'sdull

the
the

JupiterAmmon
of

appeared

Great

glidesa

When
And

fair

Olympia

lingeringtrain
drearyreign."

of the

to

folds him

Plant iy ii. 291.

Olympias

in the form
the

In the
in

This

Temple."
the

by

the Greeks

and

not

the

"c."

"

form

Athens,

The

Guardian

was

supposed

Romans

It

was

became

serpent

Spiritof

to

the

was

the

be animated

thus

employed

symbolise a guardian
unfrequentlythe figureof a serpent

depictedon
Upon

serpent

guest !

breast."

at

of Ericthonius.

soul

by

and
spirit,

called

and

cage

her

to

similar

of Athena

temple

treacherous

Economyof Fegetation^
2.
u

JupiterCapitolinusin a
father of ScipioAfricanus.

vases,

dead

silver serpent,

Darwin,

was

imprisoned

"^

kept

opiaterod."

the father of Alexander

became

serpent, and

give

Milton,

led

Lwa

Darwin,

could

Hermes

Pluto's

and

shore

this in his

the Gods

his

"

with
twisted

serpent

; wherefore

chose

he

adorned

With

other.

said,the herald of

hands, it

113

rod

was

female

wings, having a male and

about
it,each kissing the

in

ART

to

their altars.

shields

of

Greek

the serpent is often

warriors,on
to

be

seen

ancient

blazoned.
H

FICTITIOUS

114

The

left

mud

in the

lived

of Moimt

caves

but

Pythian

the

of his

in commemoration
This

and

the
Shield,from

the

by

painted

in the British

vase

The

figuresin
form,
the

Paradise

Virgin,in

after the Fall

the

serpent'shead."

close

fatal.

cause

gloom

of

under

that

made

to

stumbling,it

bruise

*'

heel

hurt

ot

Eve

shall bruise

of the serpent

*'

Art

feet

the

woman

severe

the

of winter:

of Eve

of the

spring

Christian

in

serpent

heart

serpent bruised

The

being a

The

head, renders

the

to

dark

tempter

seed

The

*'

myths

of

genialwarmth

generally placed under

the promise
allusion
to

is

and

the

as

victory.

similar solar

many

the

over

Museum.

games

merely classic panegyrics on

exercised
conquering power

are

Greek

nassus,
Par-

by Apollo,

slain

was

founded

who

the

deluge of Deucalion,

after the

the earth

on

from

Python, produced

monster

serpent

SYMBOLIC

AND

"

of

the

being

"

man

foot

there

i.e.,

"

which

trippedagainstit (Gen. iii. 15).

brazen

The

which
those

bitten

by

raised

their

(Numb.

xxi.

is
coiled

the

our

on

tau

Saviour

life

Israelites

this

to
an

represented in
up

Moses

did

not

to

and

of healing,

Christian
a

derness,
wil-

symbol

emblem

cross,

in the

who

fierydragons

eyes

8), as

by
of

newness

gave

plague-stricken

were

which

erected

serpent

art

symbol

disdain

in

as

ot
some

degree

to

CREATURES
admit
the

propriety when

the

is

serpent

Cecilia, St.

St.

ART

he

in the

healingserpent
The

IN

under

placed

Euphemia,

always representedhabited
viper,the

of his

and

As

as

Satan,

of

symbol

the

evil

the

because
of

saint of

such

Ireland, is
foot upon

the lower

extremity

having banished

snakes

soil of Ireland.

the

diminutive

a
principle,

specimen of the dragon, guivre,or winged snake

more
frequentlyused, wrigglingunder foot.

as

therefore

ye

doves"

serpent

(Gen.
with

(Matt.

i) ;

its

of

tail in

Subtlety

than
:

its mouth

Mount

sculptures}on
by
Scandinavian

the

harmless
"

serpent

is the

cross.

one

well

Now

the

in

*'

circle

understood

snake

The

as

the

tion.
type of the Redempthe

on

Athos;

so-called

version

crushed

avenging

planted

cross

time.

of the Fall, and

The

Satan

beast of the field

any

Eternity

unending

instrument

the

of

; of

was

; of Wisdom

serpents, and

as

16)

x.

Fall

serpent figureslargelyin Byzantine Art

The

"

wise

subtil

more

was

iii.

symbol

(Rev. xii. 9)

the great serpent

is called
*'Be

of The

serpent is emblematical

The

of

saints,

or

country

reptilesfrom

venomous

other

bishop,his

his

feet

the

many

with

transfixed

pastoralstaff,from

all

and

head

to

wilderness.

they trampled on
they miraculously cleared some
reptiles. St. Patrick, the patron

himself

compared

because

either

115

serpent

and

runic

the
knot

is found

cross

is

rounded
sur-

only

of the

Byzantine image
original
of the
the stem
curling round
cross,

with

two

scrolls at the

FICTITIOUS

ii6

of

foot

typifyingthe

it

modifications, and

Byzantine

common

very

for

interlaced

their

monsters,

its

orna*

so

crosses,

spicuous
con-

and

ornaments

tesque
gro-

purely modifications

be

to

appear

of

another

is

snake,

ordinary northern

The

ment.

SYMBOLIC

AND

of this idea."*

Boniface,
letter

luxuries

the

against
and

of

that

garments

studs

missionary,

Anglo-Saxon
of

Archbishop

the

to

those

the

images

Canterbury, inveighs
declares

dress, and
adorned

are

of worms,

his

in

with

against
broad

very

announcing

the

coming

of Antichrist.
In the

and
in

the

of
wonderfully intricate interlacing
forms

draconic

the great
metal

of

sculptured crosses,

work,

traditional

ideas

seventh

well

as

as

unmistakable

seen

are

appear

manuscripts

and

sixth

the

which

art

illuminated

marvellously
in Ireland

of Celtic

like
snake-

centuries,

in

gold
of

traces

the

relating to

cuted
exe-

and
the

early serpent-

worship.
"The

terrible of all

is of
reptiles,

Under

in the Roll

of Edward

de

dargenty a

bys rases

three

in

English

de

Monsire

gules^a

'

well-known

serpent

chevron

erased

most

of Bisse

name

III.'s time,
une

"the

occurrence

gules {Anglici^su'gent,a

serpents'heads

The

Pknchi,

rare

its Italian

heraldry.
Mal^/j

Mr.

serpent," says

chevron

it

occurs

William
trots

testes

between

gules)."

historic

devouring a child,of

device, the
the

dukedom

"Analysisof Ornament,'*by Ralph

Biscia

or

of Milan

N. Wornum.

CREATURES
is of much

interest.

origin of
it

Otho

to

the

this

the

killed

in

afterwards

version

led

Christian

the
^

warriors

Otho

whose
fierce,

That

bears

in

crusades

Saracen

giant

device,

which
is the

Such

own.

Otho

enumerates

the shield

won

serpent

Gerusalitnme

assign

valour

child and

the

at

this

who

the

of Milanese

the

his

as

adopted by Tasso,

among

and

was

to

as

writers

Some

Hermit,

assumed

stories

body

helmet

117

many

single combat

whose

upon

Otho

are

ART

singularbearing.

of Peter

and

Volux,

There

Visconti, who

train

fought

IN

field.*'

the

on

Liberataycant.

i.

st.

55.

(Hoole's translation.)
another

From

legend
of

Boniface, Lord
child, born
cradle
On

by

and

attacked

He
his

serpent

and

referred

to

and

name."*
*

to

it with

child
under

That

Be

that

says

these

their

this

is,Visconti

Italianised
jtnguisy

its

in

in search

child

his

in

but

at

of

its mouth.
the cost

posteritybore
A

the

third

of
the

legend is

(which see).
Angleria, in

the

is

only

to

AngUria.

armes
**

it may,

as

devoured

the first Lords

only

crusades, his

the

went

ensign.

castle in

are

Count

when

ravaged the country.

it is said

as

that

was

the creature,

Wyvern

after their

that

which

found

Hence

Menestrier
called

absence,

Boniface

slew

to

went

Count

and

life.

own

his

huge serpent

his return,

monster,

Milan,

during

learn

we

Lo

variation

of Milan
Latin

were

angutSy

parlantes of their

Squamosa
of Biscia

Biscion

"

equivalent

FICTITIOUS

ii8

(the scaly snake)

lords, and

by

SYMBOLIC

AND

all the

adopted by

was

their

of

successors

the

Visconti

House

of

Sforza.
Sforza

"

Viscontei

colubri."

Orlando

And

again in

the

same

Furioso^cant.

xiii.

(cant.iii.26.

poem

63.

Hoole's

:
translation)

*^

Hugo

appears

Who

plants his conquering

also

Dante

with

refers in

his valiant

him,

**

son

in Milan's

snakes

"

Purgatorio

town."

this celebrated

to

device.
The

^^

three

coiled snakes

^^^ which
of

arms

Whitby

appear

in

Abbey,

shire,
York-

the

monites^
reallyrepresent fossU am-

which
the

in

part of

and

on

doubt
the

Arm.

Whitby Abbey.

of

coilea

snakes

or

of

town

^he

encircled

and

two

transformation

the

by

stone

legend
mion

St.

Hilda^ an

is referred

"

to

of

by

no

arms

of

afterwards

of

the

Whitby.
are:

one^

Saxon

Sir Walter

Azure

three

their

origin

of snakes

into

or.

ascribes

multitude

ancient

coast,

were

in

and

arms

Popular legend, however,

to

account

adopted
Abbey,

the

English

the

that

of

promontories

rocky

that

plentiful

very

are

princess.
Scott

The

in "'Mar-

CREATURES
^*

How

of

Was

changed

While

It

The

the

myth of

favourite

into

119

each

coil of

one

stone

prayed/*

than

legend of

ART

snakes

Hilda

more

ancient

been

thousand

Holy

is,however,
the

IN

the

likelythat

arms

gested
sug-

miracle.
the

adder

deaf
of

illustration

the

have

to

seems

of
futility

welcome
un-

counsel.

*^

What,
fie

thou, like

art

deaf?

adder, waxen

poisonous too/'

Pleasure

and

VI.

King Henry

the

have

revenge

ears

more

ii. sc.

Act

2.

deaf than

adders

To

the

voice of any

decision/'

true

CressidoyAct

Troihis and

He

flies me

Than

now

deaf

the

adder

attends

more

nor

"

heeds

Orlando

ii. sc.

pain

my

strain."

charmer's

the

2.

xxxii.

Furiosoycant,

19.

(Hoole'stranslation.)
A

serpent

writers

termed

Latin

the

idea.

or

adder
**

by

Psalm

voice

by

ears,

his

some

ear^' from

stop, is a very ancient

It is said that the asp or adder, to prevent his
obturo^ to

stops the

that

shut

his

obturant

adder

an

hearing unwelcome
and

stopping

of

truths,puts
with

other

Iviii.4, 5

stoppeth

her

or

ear

"

one

ear

to

his tail,a device

They

are

which

will

charmers, charming

never

like
not
so

the

the

ground

suggested
deaf

hearken

wisely/'

adder
to

the

FICTITIOUS

I20

Alessandro

Naples, of

d'Alessandri
extensive

stopping its
the serpent

the
of

by

charmer,
the

and

In allusion

backward"

Asp.

this

prudenda

refuses

to

the

hear

to

imitates

man

listen

to

as

of

voice

the

prudence

the

words

the

in

path,

Egyptian kings

of

his

that

ornament

an

the front of the double

shall be

shall fall

rider

Wilkinson, the
of

emblem

asp, the

of

crown

thrown.

Dan

the forehead.

on

it

that

rider
**

says,

the

wore

sand

get the

belief,Jacob

this

in

hides

cerastes

horse's foot and

to

royalty,as
on

serpent

Ut

**

the

wisely'*),
implying that
refuses

means

device

(Gen. xlix. 17).

According to Sir Gardiner

"

ancient

motto,

the wise

so

adder

an

the
live

that. the

bite the

...

for

of

member

of

lawyer

slander.

It is sud
may

I may

reptileand

malice

took

and

ears,

("That

(+1523),

learning,and

Neapolitan Academy,
vivam"

SYMBOLIC

AND

It appears
and

Upper

Lower

Egypt.
Many
express

have

terms

the

been

invented

positions serpents

by
"

**

impossibleto
inquiry.

Few

of

terms

comprehend,
of these

terms

blazon
and
are,

in

assume

may

of Heraldry
Berry's Encyclopaedia
the
thirtypositions,

heralds

the

to

arms.

illustrates

over

of

it is

which

hardly

worth

however,

met

the
with

English heraldry.

in

Two

serpents

erect

in

pale,their

knotted) together, are

Caius CoUege, Cambridge.

(twistedor
arms

the

of
old

grant, they

are

blazoned

^^

tails

**

nowed

figured in
In the words

gold^semied

"

the
of
with

CREATURES

flowers gentil,a
the heads

of

IN

whole

stone

tails knit

colour)yrestingupon

between

vert^

pale^ their

in

serpents

together{all in proper
marble

121

over
(or houseleek) in chiefs

sengreen

two

ART

book

sable

square

gamisKt guU

buckUd, orr
Fruiterers'
base

verty the

between

of Paradise

tree

Adam

London.

and

On

"

environed

with

all proper.

Eve^

Nowed

serpent,

tied
signifies

the serpent

Motto

like

Arbor

whose

creature

for

term

may

be said

be

to

wreathe), the bending

or

used

themselves,

in
as

or

and

the

in the

caduceus

Latin

rebending,either

torgueo,
in

pents,
ser-

fish,like the letter S.

Voluted^ involved
terms

annodated.

Torquedjtorgant^ or targant (from the

adders

of

body

; bent

nowed

of the letter S, the serpents round

Mercury

is said

knot.

another

Annodatedy
form

knotted, and

or

other

or

wyvern,

tail is twisted

to

in

mount

perfidem gustamus.
C^ristuSyfructus

vita

of

of

Company

encircled^glidingsand

or

blazon

explain

erect

erect^

several

wavy^

"c.
In

blazoning, the

snake^

terms

serpenty adder^ appear

to

be

used

indiscrinunately.
A
crest

serpent nowedy proper

of

Cavendish,

is the
y

Duke

^^S'oSnSir'-

of

Devonshire.

GuleSy

(Ednowain

three

snakes

Ap Bradwen,

nowed

in

triangle argent

Merionethshire).

FICTITIOUS

122

three

Or^

SYMBOLIC

AND

erect

serpents

(Codlen,

sable

wavy

or

Cudlen).
is

Remora

old

an

heraldry for

in

term

serpent

entwining.
also borne

Serpents are
rods, "c.y and
the

of

arms

boys

around

entwined
the

Vaughan

affronti^couped

heads

of children,

necks

Vahan

or

Wales

crined

snake

vert.

entwined

are

in the

risingbetween

or^

of

Camoens,
As

more

the

Early

used

is

winged

amphipthre

Azure^

an

mountains

argent^

are

the

arms

the

reference

Christian

the

to

serpent

mythical

Art, its natural

does

not

creature,

as

qualitiesbeing

generallyconsidered.

reptileof

this

Bwrpiott

bears

as

tail, is generally borne

with

reversed.

argent

a
^

carrying a virulent

name,

its

it is borne

described
Cole

and

sometimes

amphtpthe

heraldry

in

deadly sting in
When

Entwisted

serpent.

W^t
The

with

Portuguese poet.

symbol

usually have
in

two

or

sense.

same

The

Amphiptirc, or flyingSerpent.

proper^

the neck

about

enwrapped

three

enveloped

each

ory

in

as

Azure^

shoulders

the

at

and
pillars

round

the
One

head
branch

fessebetween

downwards,
of the
three

and
erect.

it is

family of

scorpions

erect

CREATURES

sable;

and

argent

branch

of

between

three

another

chevron

ART

IN

gules

123

the

family,

same

scorpions reversed^

sable.

Scorpion.
for

his

Charles
with

sack

of

made

his

blue

surcoat

**

morte

Qui

meditur''

healed

").

when

killed

in

It

other
vivens

(**Who
death

being

and

of

clear

Scorpion.

is

the

laid

property

if

any
of

himself

of

the

wound

the

over

poison, so Rodomonte,
would

the

living wounds,

him,

U^i-^

Upon

upon

motto,

Udit

the

embroidered

scorpion

monte
Rodo-

squares.

was

was

public

Mantua,

in

strength,

his

at

his

and

When

made

wore

Rodomonte

styled

peror
Em-

in

Bourbon

into

one

V,

Rome.

Charles

entry

of

general

army

Gonzaga,

intrepidity

great

favourite

di

Luigi

"

scorpion

to

the

cure

ofiend

one

presumed

to

the

injury by

the

death

his enemy.
**If

of

powder

be

man

them

stung

with

in wine"

scorpion,

it is

thought

and
to

drink
be

present

remedie."*

Pliny,

Book

xi. ch.

25,

from

an

old

the

translation.

etbtx
antr

Cj^imeritai

Creatures

J^eraUrie iSeasts

Uaicorn

"

l^on Hon
That
Is

lalJcnt,*

placedtwo
with

rampant

silver sword

king of Scotland*s

the

fir

between

unicorns

The Ron

the

Old

usage
of

the

limbs

centre

have

But
been

for

an

Nuneiy

represented with

and

horn

of

hoofs

the
the

drawing,
divided

and
a

stag
from

It is

the unicorn

hoofs

body

lion,and

out

grows

of its forehead.

oversight in

Rhyme.

the head

horse, with the tail of

twisted

having

as

J*

crown

is representedby heraldic

unicorn

HE

^*

(Hoole's translation).

fighting
for

and the unicorn

seen

known.

banner

Ariosto
"

is

of

the

rarely
should

stag.

FICTITIOUS

128

with

met

it is of
is

as

SYMBOLIC

coat-of-arms.

As

crest

frequentoccurrence.

more

favourite

AND

shoulder, and
in

always represented

unicorn
all

device

mind

and

the

England,
head,

Unicornis

place

which

had

called

thence

were

the

Although

the silver unicorn

James I.,Queen

As

blazoned
and
of

the

the

to

or^

with

pat6e

and

with

the
Two

of that

England,
VII.,

had

Scottish

into

V.

supporters.

England

with

alreadyadopted
of

Lord

it.

Lyon

Herald.

Royal

royal

coins

on

James
as

arms

argent^ armed^

unicorn

of

I.

arms

figured

pursuivant

Royal

supporter

gorged
crosses

the

was

King-at-Arms,

the

arms

came

Jane Seymour

"

Unicorn

"

cupied
oc-

to

by Henry

it

national

it with

has

acces^on

unicorns."

"

first used

of

the sinister supporter.

as

of Scotland

III.

James

unicorn

the

to

to

introduced

dragon of WaleSy

the red
gave

supporters

Arms

James

as

union
legislative

the

On

kingdom.

the

were

as

Scotland

English throne
silver unicorns

Royal

the

of

VI.

James

couped.

the

known

position it

since
A

the

strength of

is well

and

of

virtue

of the

supporter

famous

Europe,

the

It

body.

was

over

symbolised

the

couped^at

or

profile.
The

Crett

head

unicorn's

bearing,either erased^

supporter

or

coronet

it

is

thus

unguled^ crined
(x.^.,
composed

fleurs-de-lis),
having

chain

CREATURES

affixed thereto^ and

The

last.
**

ungukd"

his

"

**

after the
to

be

several

gold.

*^

the

his

"

flowing
encircles

(thatis,the

or

it)being only mentioned

parts implies that

the last'*

Of

his horn,

to

to

the

of

coronet
*'

term

of

the tincture

gold or

back

his

crined^'

"

The

throat.

or

gorge

metal

and

129

reference

has

Gorged*'implies that

"

mane.

hoofs,

his

to

ART

reflexedover

armed^*

^^

term

IN

they
of

means

all alike

are

the

last colour

mentioned.
In

"

The

History of Caricature

Literature

F.S.A.
an

and

Art,"

by

(p. 8), appears

of

Egyptian papyrus

British

Museum.

playing a

of the

As

the

evidently gained
weU

as

the

bold

author

the

victory

air

of

of

look

says

unicorn

is referred

of the

animositywhich

**

is

as

lyon

junction.
con-

has

disappointment
by

are

existed

once

between

existed

means

no

by Spenser, and

whose

proud rebellious

the

fingering the

is

Faerie

ill-

allegorical

between

England

imperiallpowre
unicorne

of

lion and

the

Like
A

to

lion

The

**

and

surprise and

animosity which

Scotland

unicorn

depicted in
:

the

swaggering superiorityas

vanquished opponent
pictured."

and

lion and

animals

two

his

THe

period,in

Roman
a

from

resembling draughts, perhaps

game

his

illustration

curious

It represents

earliest instance

money;

Wright, M.A.,

Thomas

the

Grotesque in

and

defyes."

^eetij ii. 5.

FICTITIOUS

I30

Mediaeval
The

Conception of the Unicom

conception of

mediaeval

of the

water-conner

by

beasts

merely symbolical of
immediate

more

salvation

(Psalms xcii.

which

receivingits general fulfilment

The

horn,

believed

of

destruction

of

companion
in

resistingall
art

haunt

to

she

her, till

and

69).

it

unicorn

is

pure

sent

her

or

such

as

her

dreams

converted

also

was

tokening
be-

emblem

an

as

our

conquering
The

legend

Geraldine-like

the

poison,

Rome.

at

the

24),expressly

(St.Lukei.

Messiah,

Justiana,

St.

7,

the

of

beautiful

the

all

to

the

by

catacombs

in the

appears
the

sin

of

horn

the

as

in him

emblematical

be

to

antidote

an

as

the unicorn

purity,but

Ixxxix.

and

the

suggested

made
and

virtue

lo

as

doubtless

of Christ

emblem

unicorn

the

was

belief of earlier ages

that

not

SYMBOLIC

AND

mind,

by magic
tormentor

himself.
He

is

remarkable,

great strength,but

mind,

as

he

would

leave

believed

was

beautiful

rather

resorted.
come

head

only way

lie

quietly down

upon

her

lap,and

the

be

than

haughty

brought

into

t6

capture him

was

to

virgin in the placewhere he

animal
perceived her, he would

and

surprisedby
him.

the

When

die

and

his

10-12).

the

young

writers, for

for his great

more

subjection(Job xxxix.
It

old

the

say

hunters

beside

her, resting Us

fall asleep,when
who

lay

in

he would

wait

to

be

destroy

CREATURES
The

is

unicorn

chimerical

the

make

of

one

of

monsters

repeated mention

shape

we

Art

the

virtue

purest

bearings in

viewed

as

Philippe de
^

Thaun

Monoc^ros

est

Une

corne

Cette

Whence
of

Egypt

says

comes

Job.

beste

it

was

Unicom.

emblem

of

in his

this wonderful

**

noblest

of the

one

Middle

the

our

Ages, but

Blessed

Bestiarius

was

Lord.

"

la t6te
verite

the
creature

Dieu."
signifie

nous

the unicorn

Among

Early

In

beste

en

en

of its

but

creature,

of the

Legend

immediate

the

Scriptures

The

symbolised the highest and

only

The

of all

famous

most

131

little conception.

heraldryof

the

the

such

unicorn

not

ART

antiquity.

of

form

can

Christian

days

IN

It is older

of
hieroglyphics
is

than

the

Ancient

depicted. Sometimes

FICTITIOUS

132
the

is that

body

frontal

from

it

emblem

of his

head.

is found

in

that

by

ancient

many

writer,
two

"who
to

seem

to

Lobo

have

agree

there

live

and

famous

when

except

it in

'*

Of

modern

unicorn,

copy

his
disturbed
un-

are

laws.

own

they

who

unicorn

the

animals

the

fauna

it from

describes

about

in the

author

l^end

it

ass,**

the

men,*' says

written

calls

derives

after their

and

strange

fixed

among

the

an

and

Indian

"

earliest

also

As

who

horn

it

Eastern

an

country

man,

the
a

The

of this

who
(b.c. 4CX:)),

Abyssinia.

history of

it

lope,
ante-

Nimroud

Aristotle,

counts

Forest.

According

of

with

Caesar

myth

rhinoceros

unicorn

read

calls

horse

it is Ctesias

India.

the

like

as

the

one-horned

in

twisted

single-horned

We
and

Is

bull,

long

noted.

obelisks

the

on

of

that
the

legendary

Pliny

Hyrdnian

describes

is the

Rome.

'*

ass

is

he

Herodotus,

wild

the

with

the

of

of

describingit

of

horse

mysterious

figures

in

creature

sometimes

said, or

catacombs

front

some

prototype

*"

of

SYMBOLIC

ass,

which

been

has

as

the

an

for

horn

derived

the

of

that

sometimes

the

AND

from

no

one

another.**
"Some
made
or

writers'*

doubt

places

whether

But

no.

to

scruple."

be

the

Guillim,

(says

great

there

be

esteem

seen) may

take

any
of

p.
such

his

away

175)

"have

beast

as

horn
that

this

(in many
needless

CREATURES

The
The

**

IN

horn

who$i

is worth

of

horn

the

powerful

most

unicorn

antidote

of, poisons. He

daring

none

stirred

the

taste

to

dragon or serpent

and

render
the

test

of

had

the

tories the

of

store

therein,

horn

old
is

as

set

In

horn

Unicorn's

faith

the

was

was

portion.

had

whether

venom

wonder-working

even
"

Essai

"

until he

discover

complete

fabulous

the other

by

water-conner/'

depositedhis
So

the
test

sure

pool

his horn, to

poisons, that

possession of

the

or

be

to

was

the office of"

it innocuous.

of
efficacy

it

invested

of fountsdn

with

water

any

in

as
against,

of the forest with

beasts

Hornbook.**

supposed

was

therefore

was

city.**

**GuU'"

Deckbr,
The

133

of the Unicorn

Horn

unicorn

ART

upon
inven*

frequently

mentioned.

Un

1391.
attoucher
**

viandes

aux

Comptes

"

"

Une

touche

^Inv. de Charles

An

de

de

de

essai

licoume
le

monsigneur

pour

Dauphin.

religioushouses
informed

Ji pour

fiiireessai,
k

"

img

bou:

Bourgogne.

licorne,garnid'or, pour

faire essai.

Quint.

Italian author

reign of Henry
been

de

piice de licome

d'argent. ^Inv. des dues

1536.

d'un

Royaux."
Une

1408.

d*or

manche

who

visited

England

VII., speaking of the wealth

in this

country,

that, amongst

says

other

**

And

in

the

of

the

I have

things,many

of

FICTITIOUS

134
these

AND

monasteries

in the

preserved in

read

probably
This

the

was

doubt

Hentzner,

of

unicorn

an

piece

Elizabeth

places

"

by

seen

the

German
shown

were

of

horn

as

first.

named

We

**

unicorn

length,valued

of

about

at

of Windsor,

that home

likely,**
amongst

very

we

horn/* which,

half in

Peacham

0,000.**

unicorn's

things,the
and

eight spans

an

Library (No. 5953)

Windsor

at

other

here, among

"

the

to

of

head

the

important object,is

most

no

traveller

about

Harleian

the

ordinary
extra-

an

worthy

was

of Queen

first year

Imprimis, a piece of

"

horn

of

horns

royaljewels.At

the

inventory taken
and

such

Hence

placed among

be

unicorns*

possess

size."

SYMBOLIC

the

sightsworth

seeing.
^^

of

little cup

One

of

possession

Elizabeth,

Queen

given by James
Alviano, a celebrated
Republic,when
caused

"

fountain

and
reptiles,

other

before

Venenc
has

of

by

stirring
up

Venetian

the

dispersed

poison of

his

upon

drinks, with

he

standard

the

motto

been

preserved in
To

has been

museums,

it is

whenever

seen

and

by

but

turns

out

"Natural

the

to

be

corn
uni-

modern

any

sometimes

cherished

alas I the

Us

legend

or

found,
occasionally

examined,

this,Wood*s

described

toads

with

**

not

corn
uni-

water

the

city,

and

snakes

the

the

pello (I expelpoison). Although

writer, its horn

tooth.

called the

surrounded

quently
subse-

was

his Queen.

Viterbo, and
he

also in

was

and

general

embroidered

be

to
at

horn

took

faction,whom

Gatesca

and

he

I. to

**

horn

unicorn*s

horn,

narwhal's

History

**

makes

CREATURES

specialreference
a

narwhal

veritable

of

his

former

**In

considered

was

value, for it

IN

the

as

the

rarityof the thingsit derived

from

its

presumed capabilityof

their

into

draught
service

the

to

whose
reptiles,

quenched

monsters

poison by their

the

pool, neutralised
harmless.

horn

n/hen

poisoned

the

festive

the

was

valuable

This

saturated

with

fierydeath

partook of

chalice

into

rendered

the

qualityof

the

admirable

crept

in

days

frequentlyupon

king could

too

them.

his horn

great recommendation

board, and

few

goblet formed

shavings of
high prices,and

purchased

at

antidotes

led

is
us

such

and

venom

was

receive

from

no

such

material.

Even

tells

present than

worthier

which

the

look

which

tip of

the

poisonous

whose

pour

that

vital

in the desert

and

were

would

and

unicorn, by dropping

unicorn's

and

thirst

of any animal

the

deadly waters

be of

was

beasts

death

their

But

deadliest

the

springsand pools at

contact,

the veins

through

residence

was

The

contamination.

value
practical
disarming all poisons

thought to

was

loathsome

touch

Setting

changing

unicorn, whose
of

despite

beverage/'

potency

all kinds

among

of

wholesome

antidotal

This

and

terrors,

in

intellect.

supernatural strengdi and

aside

of

of the

weapon

forehead

his

of

tusk

inestimable

an

possess

upon

reft from

unicorn

135

daysman entire

to

looked

was

ART

to

the

that

the

considerable

piteouslyrecorded
**some

wicked

unicorn's

by

ready

horn

sale for such

adulteration
an

old

persons

were

"

fact

writer, who
do

make

FICTITIOUS

136

mingle-mangle thereof, as
I here

being,as
things are

sell it for

the

easy

The

be

distingushedfrom
experience of the unicorn's

"For

may

it be

whether

rightor

coal,and upon

not

silk the aforesaid

the

that it be true, the silk will

Examples.
sable
sejant

Argenty a

"

armed

be

not

the

genuine

imposition.

horn

know

to
a

burning

horn, and if so be
a

unicorn

writer,

the

silk upon

put

(which

same

whereby

sope,

afterwards

and
arise),

test,

and

stone

some

or

Venetians,

lime

with

horn.**

unicorn's

the

among

bubbles

however, suppliesan
substance

saw

earth

make

to

apt

compounded

say,

peradventure with

or

SYMBOLIC

AND

whit

consumed/*

{sometimes

rampant

unguled or)^is borne by Harling^

and

Suilblk.
of

Another

the

additional
cfUefynth.

in

Azure^

unicorn

or.
crossletSy

cross

Argent

at

unicorn
the

as

azure.

and

be taken
as

The
the

as

and

in

were

great value

sign.

between

sign.
Bible

set

for this

adopted

Thus

John

reason

Harrison

Row,

in Paternoster
horn

for the

caused

to

the

lived

1603.

the animal

Apothecaries'arms,

chemists.

unicorn's

upon

London

three

with

signboard by
of

twelve

great favour

of them

supporter

constant

Goldsmiths

their

between

Home.

"

the reputed
Agsuin,
power ofthe
to

the shield.

engrailedgules

some

their

Unicorn

courant

Doon.

"

Religious emblems
the

unicorn

couchanty argent

unicorns' heads, erased

earlyprinters;

the

charges upon

chevron

bears

name

adopt

horn
this

caused

animal

as

CREATURES

IN

Peguus

'*

T/^
He

POETIC

cheval

volant

or

bounds from the earth

creation

of

the

"

he treads the air,**

ancients, a winged

captured by Bellerophon,the great

legend.

In

Minerva,

who

it.

At

this
also

Corinth

he

taught
there

A9i|vaxoXiv/rcc(Minerva
that

part

of

the

assisted

was

myth

137

Pe^soi.

the figasus

"

ART

him
a

was

the

how

hero

of Corinthian
the

by
to

tame

temple

Bridler),in

which

describes

horse

goddess
and

erected
allusion
Minerva

use

to
to
as

FICTITIOUS

138

SYMBOLIC

AND

instructingBellerophon in
bridle on
the winged steed.
the hero
the

at

caught

Pirene.

The

animal

this wonderful

Acro-Corinthu^

^spring of
winged steed Pegasus,

his

on

it descended

as

of

drink

to

Mounted

placingthe
legend states that
of

mode

the

Bellerophon

the

the

engaged

Chimera^ and succeeded

the

shooting it with

it the

mountain

but

Pegasus

of Corinth

tnd

near

of

the

Apollo

city, with

leadingtype
Corinth.

the

and

upon

The

the

Pegasus,
the

The
ancient

Corinthians

which
Syracuse, in Sicily,

**

with
Helicon

delight

kick, stopped

gushed

of

out

in

Corinth

was

of

consequence

called Pirene,

fountain

the

Muses.

of

Standard

connecting

in Greece.

**the

winged horse,
the tradition

nassus,
Par-

soul-inspiring
Hippocrcne."

of

The

STracuw.

it

there

mountain

waters

of

**

with

gave

its rise, and

the

situated

contended

Muses

heavenward

rose

Coins

range

daughtersof Pieros,

the

Castalian

the

Helicon, part

the

When

of

the

ascribes

Hippocrene,"

"

Mount

on

of

steed

origin

fountain

the

arrows.

classic story

and

Muses,

the

is

Pegasus

ing
destroy-

by rising in

monster

air and

to

in

dire

fierywinged
same

device

coins

of the

founded

city likewise

the

steed

was

the

city

colony

adopted

of
of

the

CREATURES
and

horse

winged

IN
of

head

the

ART

139

Athena

upon

its

coinage.
Pindar,

who

grandly
that

Bellerophon, says

gods by attempting

to

he

Zeus

thereupon
to
ever

the

In

cast

heaven

the

enmity
on

his

hero

of the

winged

salient.

gadfly to

its rider

stables of

since

The

sent

the

incurred

fly to

Pegasus

horse.

feat of

relates the

and

sting

flew

Zeus, whose

of

the

his

horse, who
own

thunder-chariot

accord
he

has

drawn.

pegasus

is of

frequentoccurrence

its classic allusions

it denotes

poetic study,contemplation.

in

heraldry.

fame, eloquence,

FICTITIOUS

I4D

modern

Some

its classic

heraldic writers, however,

references,regard it merely

of-fact

lightas
impossible to
ideas

emblem

of

disassociate

the

an

respectingthe

In

fancy

his

soaringspiritin

the

of

realms
As

its

of

type

Turn

the

old

wind

witch

wayward

he

able

as

world

takes

with

to

it with

Like

Perseus'

Cardinal

the

Bembo,

X.,

hand

issuingfrom

as
a

the

and

palm, with

the

fates call thee

as

4,

i.

sc

of
interpretation

Perseus

cut

cloud

impress

holding a
"

motto,

3.

historian, secretary

and

his

i. sc.

Cressida^Act

Si

te

and

pegasus

of laurel

wreath

fato

to

"

vocant

("

If

").

pegasus
the

Act
^

through liquid mountains

poet

used

Leo

IV.

horse/'

Pope

two

bear

to

horsemanship.**

later

the

connects

strong-ribbedbark

very

steed

"

noble

Troilus and

Muses.

flightthrough

King Henrj

up

The

Temple,

the

fierypegasus

the

which

myth,

is borne

and

winged

it is

But

well-known

and

Apollo

matter*

perfect horseman, Shakespeare

Henry

and

Elsewhere

Azure^

in the

swiftness.

his

discarding

fancy.

And

the

of

horse
mounts

poet

picturesPrince
**

SYMBOLIC

AND

salient^the wings expanded argent^

of

arms

the

Society

of

the

Inner

London.

earlyseal

of the

knights riding upon

Knights Templars
one

horse.

exhibits

CREATURES
A

writer

recent

that

*'

it is

remarks

by

the

Elizabeth

for

that

the device

ancient

the

rude

some

device

and
was

reign of Queen

fact that

which

device

strange

this

the

The

p^asus.

adopted

seal of

of

lawyers

141

this

upon

representationof

mistaken

other

ART

exceedingly probable

partiallydefaced

Temple

IN

the Middle

appears

the

upon

Knights stronglyconfirms

this view."
One

of

the

Cromwell

is

of

supporters
horse

having

the

the

of

arms

tail of

and

wings

Oliver
a

dragon.

iJagittarg, "entaur,

iK^tppocentaur

(tmtauxvLS,
tie

**
,

dnaifid saffttary

Jfpals

numbers^*

$Mr

'*Troilas
Feasts that TkessaRan

iJagittarius,

and

Cressida," Act

centaurs

these

of

upon

signs of
otherwise

^.
be

origin, half

classic

arrow

In

the

blazoned

bow.

bended

Zodiac,

its

arms

It

commonly
marked

in
signification
those

who

is

are

arms

eminent

5.

Autumn."

"*

fabled

half

man,

Arcitenens, and

appliedto
The

is

names

sc.

knetoJ*

never

Thomson,

Under

v.

monster

horse, holding
of

one

called

by

the

an

twelve

Sagittarius,

the

it may
in the

hieroglyph
properly
field.

traditionally
assigned to King Stephen

described

thus

are

collum

trium

konum

The

Other

Sagittaij
"

early examples, it

is

peditanHum corpora^

corporibushumanis

cum

Scutum

"

Upton

de auro^*
sipiiSagittarii^

modum

half

Nicholas

by

rubeum^ in quo habuit

usque ad

SYMBOLIC

AND

FICTITIOUS

142

In

superius^ aa

this, as

in

some

CenUur.

represented as half

man,

lion.

The

with

of

arms

but

assumed

his
Others

on

is said

in consequence

reign
because

say

his archers

him

under
he

represented

sometimes

are

sagittary,and

one

by

Stephen

the

gained a

of

his

sign
battle

enteringthe kingdom.

have

to

having

of

been
menced
com-

Sagittarius.

by

the

aid of

Others, again,

that

say

tary
of

as

the

his

with

There

is

Blois, assumed

the

sagittaryis

Mandeville

seen

Maude

Empress

of

any

Matilda,

or

it

derivations*

these

III.),but

de

William

of

seal

the

upon

Henry
(/^i"^.

authority, however,

confessed, for

be

sagitStephen, son
that ensign in

; and

chase

contemporary

no

143

ensign of

the

used

the

de

Compte

contest

must

of

emblem

an

Blois

City of

the

ART

IN

CREATURES

not

heraldic

an

as

bearing.
The

of

crest

centaur

mount

vert^

arrow

or.

It

also

appears

the

as

bow

his

drawing

proper^

is :0n

of Cavan,

Earl

Lambart,

gules^

of Askelom,

crest

Petty, Petty-

Bendlowes, Cromie, Cruell, Lambert,

Fitzmaurice.
The

Kturha

the words

(a buU)

the

the

hunting
the

on

on

coin

Ptolemy,
and

was

the

wild

breed

Empire.

appears

and

Thessalians

horses, arose
those

who

man,

and

having been

and

which
districts,

in the later times

even

carrying

centaur

of Lete, which,
situated

first

doubt

the

on

from

the

subjugated the
mounted

guiding it

on

at

raSpo^

they pursued

of those

horses

and

one

will,to

from

their skill and

bulls, which

of

the

female

accordingto Pliny
confines

fables of the centaurs,

no

who

for

times

neighbouringdistricts abounding

animals

derived

pursue)

to

or

earliest

noble

celebrated

Roman

and

(to hunt,

Thracians

from

in

mounted
were

probably

most

celebrated

daring

is

Centaur

term

in

"c., in that and

noble

feats
horse
of

of Macedonia,

breed

of

performed by
to

these

the

will of

beautiful

approach or

retreat

SYMBOLIC

AND

FICTITIOUS

144

vulgar

the

that

idea

the

to

of the

rise in the minds

rapidity,
surprising
gave

with

horse

the

and

man

were

being.

one

Sir

John

1499),tells

Worde,

de

Wynken

in his travels

Mandeville

de

**ben

(printedby

that

us

many

in Bacharie

Ipotanes

that

in

the

on

the

sometime

dwellen
water

and

sometime

land

; and

thei ben

thei

when

men

thei

and

half hors

and

half

men

eten

take

may

him/'
We
ipoune,

MandcriUe't

from

the

superstition. When
"

^where

horse

the

invaders, the
and

in

Such

and
the

toward

other

the

adorned

the

they

of
plicity

their

curious

being

of

of

on

animals
that

of

the rude

doubtless

placeswere

similar

the

natural
super-

the

Lapithac and
of

also bear

the

the

works
the

Parthenon

of the

first steps

compounded

ting
illustraCentaurs

at

in
strikingafiinity
conception.

example

money

subjectsby Phidias,

sculptor,whose

metopes

which

to

these

on

one

exhibited

those

Greek

battle

but

their

saw

endowments.

treatment

celebrated

the

America

first

"

similar

they imagined

formed

as

groups

of Lete

unknown

armour,

and

powers

ing
interest-

of South

natives

was

steed

and

singularand
example of

Spaniards, mounted

complete

cavalier

tory

trtTeifc

his-

in modern

have

Athens,
the

human

um-

and

CREATURES
forms

animal

in the

now

Mus6e

series of thin

relief the

in

Cluny,

ART

HS

sagittaryis represented
the

of

Isle

and

Rhodes,

of

It is formed

Paris.

gold plates whereon

is

representedin

human

figure conjoined to the

is alternated
stag (or horse). This

complete

part of

hinder

the

to

found

necklace

upon

similar

IN

666646(1646
figures,gold necklace, Mutde

CompooBd

with

holding
each

in

dexterous
In

up

their

own

but

to

have

Thessaly, and

the

account
an

great strength and

said

by

the

t^s, both

suggestive of

way,

and

bird,

subjects,
fleet and

the

hunter.

Homer's

monsters,

animals

two

Paris.

figure,human

compound

another

Clanj,

old

Thessalian

savage

inhabited
to

have

centaurs

are

obviously no
tribe,of

mountain

ferocity. They
the

mountain

been

driven

are

merely

districts
thence

by

of

the

FICTITIOUS

146

the

LapithsB into
contest

with

symbol

of

struggleof

be the

may

directed

itself so

of the

the

principal centaurs
heated

the bride.

This

gave

complete defeat
of the

centaurs

as

country.
half man,

and

to

losses

the

prime

subject

is referred

Hippodamia,
invited.

The
to

strugglefor

on

both

of the centaurs,
The

its

in

art

wine, attempted

rise

tculptare.

were

with

which, after dreadful

out

this

cpntest

of Pirithous

Eurytioh,

the

Greek

to
especially

this

as

Early Pelasgianperiod.

why

reason

origin of

marriage feast

Their

civilisation with

Greek

Centaur, Greek

The

of Pindus.

higher mountains

stillexistingbarbarism
This

SYMBOLIC

Lapithse is generallyconceived

the

the

AND

half horse

arose

to

who

the

which

centaur

carry

off

supremacy

sides,ended

of

custom

to

were

in

driven

depictingthe
in

later times,

CREATURES
and

became

and

artists.

favourite

the

Amongst

mention

deserves

of

heroes

equine shape

the

most

of

the

of

and

with

he

is called

state

The
man

Greek

of the

and

of

head

the

(SrrtfSn
griffin,
gryfin,or

The

termed
the

by

chimerical

monsters

representativeof
Assyria
dragon,

and

the

wyvern,

able,
being incurthe

of

place
the

among

(bous)

by

was,

of Venice

Theseus

the
East.

an

stars,

ox,

in classic

shape, half

was

had

so

the

ology,
myth-

half

man,

and

ox.

termed.

body

of

bull.

(ffiitsp^on

or

gryphon,

writers, is best

old

in

him

centaur,

Doge

slain

Minotaur

friend of

the

wound

Bovc

of double

barge

music,

Sagittarius.

(kentauros)a
monster

in

the

accident, wounded

die

to

as

him

makes

also

The

arrow.

the

nothing of

instructed
was

Jupiter placed

Bucentaur^ from

He

of

many

represents him

unlucky

an

poisoned

Prometheus.

Kevravpo^

he

famous

of medicine,

knew

centaurs,

voluntarilychose

he

The

the

poets

was

of

who

centaurs,

hunting.
by

who

preceptor

Achilles, whom

Heracles, who,

where

of

upright

medicine

him

the

Greek

knowledge

antiquity. Homer,

the

friend

his

147

the

Chiron,

and
as

ART

subject of

centaurs,

for his wisdom

alike

IN

of

it is

as

known

heraldry

ancient
It may

"

as

one

of

^the mediaeval

symbolic
be

variously

creature

classed

with

phoenix, sphynx, ''gorgons

of
the
and

FICTITIOUS

148

hydras

and

beings,

that

mind

of

of

world

of

progress

favourite

English
find

it

Exeter,

Wight.

armory.

on

Montacute
one

of

chained

also

upon

placed upon

the

in

up

times, the influence

earliest

Griffin

tUtant,

bearing

in

little power

no

to

wings

was

endorsed.

Richard
a

de

charter
on

appears

at
a

III. and

principal bearings
the
the

earlyadopted

very

early indeed

So

(temp. Henry
the

imaginary

other

unreality grown
exercised

seal of

attached
It

and

humanity.

This

dire,"

the

have

terrors

SYMBOLIC

of

from

man

whose

the

chimeras

AND

shield,as
helm, also

the
as

1167

as

a.d.

Newport,
of

seal

we

Earl

Redvers,

Isle

Simon

in

of
of
de

Edward
in

arms,

L). It is
heraldry, either
or

supporters

as

to

the

crest

the shield

CREATURES
of

of

arms

The

noble

many

griffifiysacred
**

of

bodily attributes
the

of

talons

of

parts of

lion.

It

**

winp
(Sarlx Englith.)

addition

to

The

an

is

the

crest, it is
Parts

of

heady "c.,

the

sun/*

the

combines
"

cloud-cleavingeagle
the

and

head, neck,

eagle,conjoinedto the hinder

usuallyrepresented with pro-

Griffin

ditplaxed.

tegreant, wtngi

(German.)

griffinis rarely

expanded

families in this

eminent

of hearing,in
acute
an
sense
indicating
its other supposed extraordinaryqualities.

peculiar to

means

"

raised.

positions,viz., passant
is

149

beasts," that is,it has

Griffin patMQt,

jectingears,

to

the

king
wings, and

and

ART

the continent.

and

country

IN

the

wings.
same

not

the
are

as

and

borne

rampant

other

than

The

latter

segreant.

and
griffin,
When

in

called

refer

to

seems

segreant

appliedto

two
term

the

to

only,

lion.

As

it
a

unfrequentlyborne sejant^/.^., sitting.

as
a
demugriffin^a griffin^
creature,
also of

common

use.

FICTITIOUS

150
The

of

arms

AND

Trafford^Lancashire,

griffinsegreant gules.
The

supporters

two

griffins.
Old

heralds

when

he

of

Motto:

the

gravely

attains

his

of Viscount

relate of

full

of MacmilUn

penniMion

taken, hence
who,

rather

himself

symbol

in

he

is

than
to

"

Co^

yield
the

worst

this

Argent

from

Alice

Halifax

of

that
be

never

in Wonderland."
the

Limited, proprietortof

himself

are

creature

will

he

growth

fit emblem

are

hold fast.
Gripe griffin

arms

Sleeping Griffin, by John Tenniel,

(By

SYMBOLIC

copyright.)

of

to

his enemy,

dangers.

heraldry the griffin

expresses

valiant

As

hero,
poses
ex-

general

strength

and

vigilance.
Sir

Thomas

Browne

watchfulness, courage,

says

it is

perseverance

emblematical
and

of

rapidity of

execution.
The

descriptionof

the

by
griffin

the

old

traveller,

CREATURES
Sir

Mandeville,

John

of

native

in any

they have

that

seyn

benethe
thei

as

of that

ben

body

more

such

as

great and
have

we

will be

flyngeto

his

his talouns

his feet
of

of hem

fuUe

the

schote

Leigh,

old

an

clawe
them

they
of

In the

as

the

of

horn

Three

"

altar,and

there
a

St

cup

Cuthbert

to

seems

formed
A

of

and

quarell/'

belief,he

whiche

says,

^^

I have

should

I
a

shewe

on

be
a

there
of

is still preserved

antelope,brought

claw/* by Henry
griffin's

talons of the

Bayeux, and fastened

bowes

maken

hugeness, for

kind

as

maken

men

ribbes
(their)

men

Brunswick

some

Land

or

lyons/'

two

of

large upon

writer, discoursingof

pawes,

bigge as

Holy

Lion.

of hire

for

great

that

so

arrews

reason

their

cathedral

the
from

of

one

be

to

of

are

with

he

of grete oxen,

wenges

heraldic

his

griffin,
gives

thinke

to

of hire

to

stronge

Gerard

kygn,

todrynke of, and

of the pennes

and

at

of

oxen

For

plowghe.

homes

were

egles,

two

or

grete and

so

the

grifFounthere

hors,

the

and

longe

that

soethe

hundred

one

great
to

men

egleand

an

seyne

one

For

gon

or
bugles (bulls),

cuppes

the

nest

thei

though

as

than

us.

thei
so

Sum

grifFounhath

one

stronger

amonges

yoked togidre,as
hath

But

schapp.

to

grifFones,

countree.

truly they

it

states

many

body upwards of

the

of

record

; he

ben

other

lyonn, and

151

wonderful

Bacharie, where

"

plenteethan

more

is

ART

belief in the marvellous

credulityand
be

IN

preserved

were
griffin

high
some

festival
curious

gryphon's

gryphon's

egg

days

the

cerning
legend con-

claw
was

to

dedicated
also

con-

FICTITIOUS

152
sidered
old

valuable

times

when

and
the

AND

curiosity^
being used

natural

who

writer

refers

rivallingthe

that

"such

moderate
no

to

"*

segreanti

details
look

of

of

Rukh

upon

of

Museum

longer imagine

and

Animated

version.

German

Oriental

*gems
it the

this

and

giant

He

given place

adds
to

observers, and
as

within
barbaric
of

the

the
whose

the

painted

was

fable.

creature

mines

of

fathers,
wonder-loving fore-

sober-minded

mountain

entombed

writers

large species of vulture,

of

example

earlier

descriptions have

longer

guardian
were

the

in

goblet in

an

{Sarcoramphus Gryphus)^ which

Condor
as

As

the

delighted our

so

Griffin

Nature'*

of

misstatements

as

stood
greatly misunder-

historywas

grossly exaggerated.

absurd

naturalists

SYMBOLIC

the
we

winged
depths

gold,' we
winged

no

race"

CREATURES

light of

the

dimming

and

pinions,

from

regions of

the

the

wings,

whip

or

^*

Gryps

the

*^

in

the

Art,

the

horseback

on

arose

the

The

body

fabulous

be looked
been

very

to

Hyperboreans

the

and

guarding

Arimaspians

steal the
the

and

of

of

those

were

origin of

the

the

an

griffin.

East,

ancient.

They

are

which

guarded

where

it
also

the
It

eagle.

belief in

for in the

beasts

hence

lion, while

the

mounted

gold, and

horse

that

wings

fabulous

the

among

The

was
griffin

the

givesthe following:
monster
dwelling in

between

north.

and

probable that

have

''

Dictionary

hostilitybetween
of the

woman

young

with
by griffins,

drawn

attempted

head, fore-feet

must

as

hand.*

in her

gryphus,

of

upper

crimes, the dreaded

one-eyed Arimaspians,

treasures

is

Roman

Rhiphsean mountains

and

it

as

stupefying the

and

of human

chariot

Classical

or

rushing sound
loftypinnacle or the

some

in

sword

Smith's

widespread

its

by

sun

mighty

avenger

appears

with

153

beholders/*

stern

Nemesis

the

ART

sky deafening

terror-stricken
As

the

by

down

sweeps

IN

griffins
they

seems

mentioned
the

gold

of

India.'*
The

Arimaspians
adorned

who

at

gold
"

their hiur
with

the

one-eyed people of Scythia

with

gold.

They
who

Gryphons

stantly
con-

were

guarded

the

mines.

"Mythology

reference

O.

war

were

Seemann.

to

its

of

Use

Greece
in

and

Art,''

Rome,
from

the

with

German

special
of

FICTITIOUS

154
**

As

when

gryphon, through

Pursues

SYMBOLIC

AND

the

the wilderness

by stealth
custody purloined

from

The

guarded gold."

his wakefiil

Paradise

the form

understood
with

which

it is

other

among
about

heraldic

device
when

of

particularas

to

Abdera,
of

invaded
relates
of

encroachments

city and

of the Utter

the

founded

placebears

was

Greece
that

the

Persians

Abdera
the

same

book),

which
the

is identical with

same

may

city in Thrace,

Abdera
griffin.

Xerxes

his

in

shape
the

M/cenK.

at

gold-winged griffin,
of the sepulchres
one

272

griffinof to-day ;

Herodotus

their

No.

Schliemann,

length,in

in

well

city of Mycene,

Schliemann

Dr.

found

kings (Figure

in every

hj

frequency

the
Dr.

art.

ancient

the

treasures

inches

two

the

coin

in ancient

met

found
Flyinf Griffin,

Gold

from

Lost^ \u

been

have

must
griffin

is evident

explorationsof

in his

of

of the

symbol

who

Arimaspian,

Had

That

which

be said

of

bears

the

place of importance
554.

b.c.

Teians, dreading the

in

Ionia, abandoned

in Thrace.

The

coinage

the
type(thegriffin)as

IN

with

slightdifference

city,but

parent
This

CREATURES

consists

which

are

those

of

sacred

to

form

in the

they

Apollo,

to

whom

in most

of

155

wings
of

in

treatment.

of the

griffin,
while

Abdera,
The

rounded.

are

Colottai

devoted

the

the coins

()ointedon
Teos

of

ART

griffinwas

especialworship

an

in

was

Griffini, Burmah.

the

Ionian

cities,but

more

ticularly
par-

in Teos.*
In

the

Illustrated

1876,

is

visited

that strange

London

News

of

October

21,

engraving of two
gigantic wingless
and also a description
griffi^ns,
by the traveller who

up

the

Burmah,
"

W.

an

river
are

N.

place.

Irrawaddy
two

colossal

Humphry's

*"

"

At

from
*

thay

'

Collector's

or

miles

250
in

Rangoon

chin

Coin

Thyetmo,

British

figuresof

Manual.**

FICTITIOUS

156
sacred
the

AND

griffins,
standing

Gautama
these

the

Buddha;

temples

Near

bank

of the river for

with

the

the

water's
old

of

nation
Burmese

this

of

space

times

they

cityof

ruined
years

the

ago,

is lined

miles

two

miles

not

known

It is

edge.

such

architecture

quaint

and

in breadth
what

by

for

constructed,

were

history is apocryphal

least

at

or

of

steps of

vrith

length of eight

of

remains

covering
sculpture,
from

and

thousand

of

one

worship

terraces

the ancient

flourished

which

the

to

outer

to

entrance

frequently adorned

are

mythical monsters.
Faghan,

the

at

dedicated

pagodas

great

SYMBOLIC

very

obscure/*

symbolic

The
was

in the

turn

living creatures

cherubim

and
dispensation,

the distinction

of

images

of the

instance

the Mos^c

of

use

under

this will be found

on

between

permitted

the

symbolic

to

and

use

its

of
dangerous use as a supposed means
Smith's
in
devotion.
Mr. Henry Hayman
assisting
cherub,** as quoted by Tyrwhit,
Dictionary,"j.v.,
On
it seems
the whole
likelythat the word
says :

forbidden

and

'*

"

**

cherub*

form

of which

elements,
form

but

which

recc^niseas
which
were

was

the

lion, ox,

man,

further,

face of

the

kept

and

creature-

eagle were

priest,would

cherub,*

from

secret

composite

"ir*

know

the

on

Such

all others.

was

always covered, though

and

panels might

be

of

the

ark, which
those

on

popular

and

t^oxiyj but
.

probably those

the

mystical

peculiar and

some

Ezekiel, being
*

the

only

not

meant

"

moved

when
the

hangings

device.

The

CREATURES

griffinof

compared

regards his composite form

He

guardianof a treasure.
between
pos^ble affinity

the

and

his

the

form

exact

gives it

is uncertain, it

generalresemblance
found
Ionia

that

of

the

where

of

carver

is

think

enabled

the

the

was
spirit
over

creatures

the

in

pointed

of

out

"

points

out

to

form

so

"ict

that

his

between

vision

went

to

go,

of

connect

Ezekid,

by them,

they went,

and

and
the

agsunst them, for the spirit

in

was

Stones

the

wheels

went

living

the

by

griffins

eagle*swings,which

its

winged shape thus became

symbols of the
we

profoundly felt symbolism.

and

lifted up

were

emblematical

was

livingcreatures

they

the

borne

have

of Verona,

Duomo

under

are

whithersoever

wheels

the

great

wheels

it with

though

Egypt, Assyria,Baby*

conception,m^nly

griffinis
Two

of

describingthe

Lombard

the

intense

original

the

figures
composite religious

monuments

Ruslun,*

the front

on

the

Persia/*

and

Mr.

^^

the

upon

the

to

as

derivation

that

says

must

both

(ypv^,

ypvw

Arabic

and

the

point out

root

and

in

functions

to

on

Greek

image/

carved

'

gold

the cherub

of

the

with

goes

and the Hebrew

gryps/ griffin),
of
word
the
cherub/ which

meaning

157

fable, watching

northern

wilderness, has been

as

ART

IN

at once

divine

of
the

the

wheels/'

one

of the acknowledged

nature.

The

Elsewhere,

Venice,**the connection
Assyrian

and

Gothic

personations.
Gian-Paolo
"

Baglione (+ 1520), who

**

Modern

vol.
Painters,**

usurped the

iii.ch. 8.

FICTITIOUS

iS8

AND

SYMBOLIC

sovereignty of Perugia,bore
field with

the

talons and

beak

of

proved
Leo

**

in hostem

armaius

X.,

tortured

beheaded,

of his states.
to

This

**

say,

other

ugly

times, to

bird has
from

flee

him
took

occasion

gave

the

his

be

to

sion
posses-

wings

which

snare

to

his enemies

to

used

not

on

conduct

caused

afterwards

and

This

safe

by Pope

Baglione

consult

arrived, he

he

of defence

seized

him

sent

with

enemy

means

was

pretending to

when

and

he

red

aique alis

rostra

againstthe

when

importance,

but

Rome,

et

which
wings '*),

avail

no

Unguibus

(" Armed

and

who,

affairs of

**

motto,

on
griffin

silver

at

as

been

has

laid for him/**

In

Dante's

Church,

descriptionof

in the

conception of
*'The

the

this

wondrous

"

the

draws

is called

he

as

"

He

"

Stretched

either

"

And
As

he

With

And

of

when

was

sightthey

vermeil

""

the eyes

Historical

the midst
"

members, far

The

golden ;

white

the

**

stood

rest.

interveined.**

fix'd toward
Still,

rode.

of Beatrice

the

gryphon, motionless.

Devices, Badges, and

War

one

Italian poet

"

"

bird,were

in

above

wing uph'fted'tween

"

out

gryphon.

natures

noble

the

the

mediaeval

he is harnessed, and

which

to

car

by

the

creature,

mystic shape that joins two

form

the

have

Purgatorio,"we

**

of

triumph

Cries,"p.

lo.

"

IN

ART

mirror, even

thus

CREATURES
the

As

Within
For

strikes

sun

orbs

those

steadfast in

thing,albeit

Yet

in its

muse

mark

itself.
mutable/'

semblance

imaged

Reader

sight it seem'd, to

in my

wondrous

shone

figurenow

one

in other.

Reflected,now

twyfold being

the

varying,in

ever

How

159

Gary's Dante, Purgatory^c.

Some

"

the

supposed

^^have

of Dante,*' says M.

commentators

Christ, who, in fact,is

natures

of

combined.

Christ

misled

been

*^have

that

the

The

Pope

distinct

The

forms.

Lombard

clear and

intended

to

is very

refer

are
**

they

more

to

by
it is

by

as

added,
of

nature

removed

God

the

ing
recollect-

the

of

but

two

and

natures

the

two

allegory

of

intelligible.**
frequentlyseen sculpturedin
especiallyin

early Norman

and

drawn

as

car

considered

Thus

churches,

Dideron,

two

eaglein his spiritual

temporal authority the lion.

person,

gryphon

Gothic

one

M.

two-fold

the

by

his

in

becomes

Dante

human

is

man

and

^^Commentators/*

resembles

Pope

cluractir, and

God

is
difficulty

but that

gryphon,

of

is,in the first place, a manifest

burden.'*

of

beast

emblem

the

with

whom

impropriety in describingthe
a

Dideron,*

single person

this,"says

There

mistaken.

are

one

in

in

But

be

griffinto

xxix.

the

style,and
union

of

of

those
is

evidently

divine

the

the

and

natures.

curious
*

example
**

of this

Iconography

compound

of Christian

form

Art."

of bird

FICTITIOUS

i6o

beast

and

occurs

an

on

fifteenth century, about

SYMBOLIC

Italian

bronze

3^

side it bears

one

Canred

Perugia, a
a

reverse

celebrated

symbol

Catholic

"

the

termed

griffinis
a

soldier

of

emblem
to

of

"

and

the

on

and

Romulus
the

the

feet
and

Popedom

peculiarlyRoman

nursing mother

of nations

and

wings

and

religion.
The

The

57.51

tegreanL

she-wolf, with

Roman

the

Picininus

the

suckling. Dante's
apparentlyadapted

the

Niccolo

eagle'shead, wings,

Remus

national

(No.

griffin,the

to

is here

Griflm

mercenary

united

of

Kensington Museum).

portraitof

panel, a

medal

in. in diameter

fine collection in South

in the
On

AND

male

Male

Griffin

sometimes
as
griffin^

borne
in

the

sans

supporters

to

the

IN

ART

Ormond,

but

CREATURES
of the

arms

from

proceed
has

of

Marquis

i6i

spikes or

rays

parts of its txxly ; sometimes

various

it

long straight

two

horns.

Other

Griffin

the

the

the

griffinfamily,

Simoorgh

"

the

appear

the poets,

be

here

may

very

alluded

briefly
They

*'

highly wrought

imaginings of
and

and

Hippogrif

"

the
in

varieties

other

Two
of

o"

Varieties

do

however,

not,
in

appear

to.

British

Griffin.

Male

Heraldy.
HippoGRYPH,
whose

father

HiPPOGRiF,

or
was

hippos^ a horse,

mother

griffinand

and

gryps^

sort

of

the

winged
a

griffin) a
"

horse

filly(Greek,

symbol

of

love.*

Simoorgh,
took

in

of

some

helmet.
the

This

its

breast

creature

epic poems

or
griffin
hippogryph, which

forms

of Saadi

feathers
a

and

very

for

strikingfigure

Ferdusi, the

poets.

"

"

Orlando

Tahmura's

Furioso,**iv. i8,

19.

Persian

FICTITIOUS

i62
Milton

also

creature

SYMBOLIC

AND

allusion

makes

this

to

mythical

^^

saying he caught

So
Of

him

hippogrif,bore through

Over

wilderness

the

and

up,

and

without

wing

air sublime

the

o*er the

pbin."

Paradise

Regained^iv.

OpinicttstUtant.

^i^t "9tntcus,
This

creature

Authorities

family.

legs like

and

four

and

wings

crest

Two

an

borne

sometimes
Such

like

monster

of the Barter

be

to

appears

blazon

those

of

eagle,and

Company.

varietyof

it

as

the

having

lion ; the head

the short

griffin

its

body

and

neck

camel,

tail of

wings.

sans

with

wings

endorsed

or,

was

the

Surgeonsof London.

opinici veriy purfled

gules, support

(E^tmacus

or

the

or,

insignia

beaked
of

the

sabky wings
Plasterers'

CREATURES

IN

ART

163

Eg7ptian Sphynjc.

That

**

the Theban

wbm

monster

Made

kill herself
fir very hearfs

That

he had read her riddle^which

Spkmbr's

According

to

of

paws

In Lord

Wisdom

of

the

meaning

ward)
It

is

as

of

wight

no

Faerie

head

and

Queen/'

Chancellor

bust

of

curious

is

the

creature

an

commemorate

It is the

of British

crest

some

families

the

sphynx
the

tail of
*'

on

The

expositionof
Dr.

says

Wood-

itself.

frequentlyfiguresin heraldry as

hieroglyph to

cxi.

v.

woman,

book

sphynx, which,
as

and

Bacon*s

Ancients,** there
the

Bk.

writers, the

lion, the body of, a dog,

dragon.
the

**

heraldic

some

the

possess

despite

loose^but suffereddeadlydaole!*

Conldever

should

knight

service

of

convenient
in

Egypt.

Asgill^Baronets

Sir

and

Goatley^ "c.,

Lambert^

features

in

the

figure known

Theban,

frequent

and

The

to

the

of the great

Neph

or

have

the

man,

the

or

Phreh

the

ram,

the

symbol
religious

lion*s
or

is

and

of

of such

the

man-sphynx^

deity worshipped.
a

Greek

the

The

of the

of

Egyptian

or

attributes.
and

Osiris and

ram-sphynx^

hawk,

with

They
butes
attri-

Ammon,

That

Helios.

body

is supposed

physicalpower,

special forms

Egyptian deities

Jupiter,and

hawk'SphynXy
the

with

sphynx

Egyptian syhynx

incarnations

also associated

are

the

represent the combination

kings,as

animal

Sphynx.

both

in

art

of

arms

and

human
as

Greek

or

occurrence

mythology

or

of

strange combination

The

the

in

appears

of Corunna,

hero

the

John MoorCy

SYMBOLIC

AND

FICTITIOUS

i64

is,we

and

the

head

of

according to

the

sphynx itself

the

was

Egyptians,which

probably
was

trans-

CREATURES
ferred

change

of

sphynx

seems

as

breeding

heat

Theban

of

of

the

of

and

been

have

of

lion, generallyin

in

was

form

The

breast and

the

strength.

to

sun.

that

woman,

and

burning pestilence-

summer

was

the

Royal dignity

wisdom

of

position,with

beautiful

the

of

it appears

symbol

sphynx

recumbent

of

Egyptians

symbol

however,

the

regarded
the

been

combination

Greeks,

the

the

Among

have

to

165

subsequently underwent

meaning.

betokening a
By

and

Greece,

to

ART

IN

part

upper

of the

imitation

Greek
Art
was
originalmale sphynxes of Egypt
only acquainted with the sphynx in its female form,
and also departed from
the Egyptian type by adding

wings

the lion's

to

There

*'

is

great difference,''says

Greek

and

male

of

head

(Juno)

passed by
in

solve
rock
*

the

the

into
^^

has

on

monster

land

town,

riddle,

wings,

she

legs

two
"

Thebes.

put

to

walks
at

sent

was

of

What

**

evening ?

riddle

the

The

female,

is

always

the

the

to

morning,

legs

between

**

latter

is

and

is

hawk-headed,

or

Greek

story the

devastate

to

sphynx,*

the

with

the

which

the

has."

never

close

rock

the
and

the Greek

In

the

; while

woman,

Egyptian

ram-headed,

Gardiner

Sir

Egyptian sphynxes.

human-headed,

always

of

in his account

Wilkinson
the

body.

noon,

Whoever

by

Hera

Seated

every

and
was

that

one

four

on

legsin

on

three

unable

by the sphynx from

deep abyss. CEdipus succeeded in answer-

Manners

and

was

cast

Customs

of the

Ancient

on

to

the

Egyptians."

FICTITIOUS

i66

AND

SYMBOLIC

who

monster,

The

of

which

for its

abyss.
of

coin

is

of

bunch

wine, and

the

the

Chios

(b.c.

before

an

am-

Chios

grapes.

sphynx

was

symbol

Dionysius.*
The

of

the

lion*s

and

Palliser

sphynx

paws*'

of

Augustus

was

in

read

and

open

before
them

of

emblem

to

the

it,and

discontinued

Great,

show

to

inferior

to

that the

"

during his absence,

Alexander's.

to

the Senate

this purpose

device

he

gave

it

was

ideas

the
to

surprising

not

which

with

one

occasion

gave

riddles ; upon

his

that

secret

engraved a sphynx,

was

adopted

which
effigy,

own

for

saying that

sphynx proposed

Bury

divulged. When
authorised
Agrippa and

The

secrecy.

ridicule,and
if the

which

wings,

be

not

affairs

else ; and

seal upon

bird*s

the

Mrs.

the letters he addressed

one

any

Asia, he

administered

Mecacnas, who

face,

Devices,'*"c.),

prince should

seal, used

implying,'*says

"*

Historical

("

his

on

maid's

**
"

"

intentions

his

Augustus,

Emperor

device

to

the

upon

from

country

representedseated

is

above

famed

was

occurs

It

478-412).

the

herself into

cast

sphynx

phore,

delivered

thus

ing it, and

Augustus

Alexander

of dominion

the
not

were

SubsequentlyAugustus used
continued
practicewas
by his

successors."

(**Oriental

Maurice

sphynx

the

was

mystery,
side
"

of the
W.

Egyptian symbol
and

dromoi^

Noel

Trinities,"p. 315)

was
or

Humphry's

therefore

of

profound
placed

paths leading to
"Coin

says

Collector's

on

the

the

logical
theo-

either

temples

Manual.**

CREATURES
the

of

"They

gods.

allusion

attributes.

The

linen

wrapped

tiaras

origin of

The

round

symbolical of

was

which
Leo

and

this

circumstance.
the

in

sphynx

male

sun

had

its

""For," they

say,

the

Nile,

the

signs of

name

from

"the

word

Egyptian sphynx being

accord

however,

not,

it

say

flowing."
language signifiesover-

fact of

does

priests.'*

in the

was

it

that

Chaldacan

The

always

the

and

Virgo;

overflowing of

the

the

to

early writers

Some

when

happened

allude
of the

his

and

definitelyknown

not

was

"in

says,

deity

may

the heads

myth

he

the

head-dress

ancients.

the

to

even

the

of

nature

white

167

black/*

arc

obscure

the

to

ART

IN

with

this

derivation.
A

of

statue

and

the

seated

that

87

13, describes

1, p.

of

attributes
The

beautiful
hinder

The

head, breast

parts, hind

the

reverses

in

Art

the

combining

and

writer

of

some

of

says
coins

in

of

paws

short

of

one

Journal

the five-fold
a

those

are

teats

fore

legs and

those

arms

and

tail doubled

wings
same

of

remains

virgin,a lion,a bird, a dog, and

virgin; the body

lioness ; the

relic of

It represents the

mangled
"

gives

It is carved

high, evidentlya

as

chester,
Col-

in

town,

creature.

Jewett,
it

that

Britain.

the

over

Llewellin

its victims.

the

of

museum

occupation of

Roman

monster

and

in the

now

found

sphynx

oolite, twenty-fiveinches

in

Theban

conception of

Greek

the

the

female

are

those

folds

pent
ser-

of

dog;
of

is serpent,

bird."
:

**The

sphynx

of Cunobeline

appears

on

(Cymbeline,

FICTITIOUS

i68
of

SYMBOLIC

AND

Shakespeare),struck

cityof

in the

Camalodunum

(Colchester).
The
the

sand

and

sculptured out
was

The

actual

but

it is

of

the

supposed

reign

also

Egypt,
contemplation gave
Pyramids,

all else in

deformity

yet you

can

and

because

of

among

forms

new
men

lips should
of loveliness
there

short

stand

for

the

beautiful

in

the

all
the

fashion

the

lonely

and

forth

and

the

mould

of

gotten
for-

Cythersea from

and

in her

made

proudly

of

heavy,

"

and

is

beast

forgotten

main

generationsto
of

than

generation,and

now

and

near

awful

ancient

sign

race

And

its

comeliness

thick

some

beauty,

the

on

this

the

which

worshipped

iEgean,

that

still lives

the

drew

the

of

through

is,but

beauty

that Greece

flashingbosom

created

of

more

lips,so

according to

of

^*

rests

to

these

mould

some

"

monster

of

author

there

once

the

built

to

mind
and

creature

that

Chefren,

appearance

his

Egypt,
The

see

fashioned

beauty
the

the

of this world.

is not

were

of

imder

King

sentiments

numerous

land

the

the

in

known,

not

able

The

the

rise

more

Comely

sphynx.

and

which

to

the form.

probably

was

describes

of

of

in

is hewn

commenced

order

pyramid.

thus

sphynx

been

have

to

is

sphynx

great

whose

"Eothen"

buried

places to complete

by

great

half

of solid rock,

spur

finished

second

in

sphynx

Pjrramids,at Gizeh,

and

Cheops
under

of

added
age

the

Great

the

near

masonry

the

of

giganticstatue

those

elder

image

it

law

wreathed
condition
!

come

w*io
world

Yet
were

and

CREATURES

girls of

Christian
with

sad, curious

with

the

and

mock

but

mark

IN
blood

Coptic

gaze,

and

will at

^11

the

on

of

of

and

Greek

conquerors

empire

"

to-day

earnest

same

And

we

and

the

loved
the

eyes
dare
this

and

eyes

die, and

shall

like

watched
the

work
and
not

the

sit

the

on

sleeplessrock
of the

shall

the

same

mock

at

rhapsody

at

on

of

the

with

sphynx/*

the present

time

away

the

his

banks

of

faithful
and

those

hold

to

watching

tranquil mien
the

wither

over

foot

biisy race

new

with

Providence,

sad, tranquilmien.

Islam

will lie

keen-eyed

unworldly sphynx

same

seats

less
cease-

Warburton

and

Englishman, strainingfar

Nile, and

Upon

Eastern

an

upon

"

this

more,

India, will plant a firm

still that
the

and

race

yesterday

all,and

watched,

has

Egyptian

Herodotus

upon

"

the

"

the

same

Ottoman

"

of

"

and

Napoleon dreaming of
battle and pestilence upon

^upon

deity

"

Arab

upon

one

Egyptian kings

^upon

"

misery
travellers

Roman,

in

the

inexorable

ever

dynastiesof Ethiopian and

ancient
upon

for

intent

idols ;

images, that

"

will and

hand

stone

regard the stone idol bears awful semblance

unchangefulnessin the midst of change
seeming

you

sphynx. Laugh

worship
of

look

charitable

the very

this,ye breakers

ye

169

kiss your

big pouting lipsof

if you

ART

and

earnest

sad

same

everlasting.You
The
sounds

conclusion
almost'

of
like

half-fulfilled

prophecy.
The
sphynx is the specialdevice of several British
in Egypt, in the
Bay of
-egiments which landed

Aboukir, in the face of the French

Army

; and

borne

FICTITIOUS

I70
as

General

of

of

memento

It

victory.

of

battle

the

in

couchant

sometimes

A
is the

In

winged,

of

the

upon

heraldry

it is,however,

sphynx passant^
crest

appears

of

and

when

1.^., back

in

wings

other
borne

so

to

pauant

endorsed

guardant,

resulting
quent
subse-

is

usually

positions,
the

wings

back.

argent

Asgill (Bart. 1701).

Sphynx

medals

and

sphynx

when

moment

war

1882,

the

borne

the

Egypt,

Tel-el-Kebir,

always endorsed,

are

Alexandria,

fell in

occupation

of

victories.

of

battle

Abercrombie

also

English

the

the

Ralph

Sir

SYMBOLIC

AND

wings

endorsed.

crined

or^

IN

CREATURES

The

ART

171

Phoenix.

ISirti of tf)eiJun
5rte ^^f^rniix
**

An
in

imaginary bird, described

like

form

plumage.
an

avis in urrU!*

Rara

Among

emblem

eternal

of

youth

decribes

the

the

and

sun,

eagle, but

an

the ancient

by
more

ancient

writers

beautiful

classical writers

in
it

as

its
was

existingin paradise,enjoying
never-ending pleasure. Tacitus

those
and

phoenix as

singularbird,consecrated

by
distinguished

variegated colours.

Herodotus

and

its rich appearance

naively says

to

*^

FICTITIOUS

172
never

saw

indeed,

one,

like his

picture

partly red."

his

will become

be

to

one

was

believed

it hides

itself away

the

of the

sun

new

bird*s
it.

consumes

life and

life and

of its ashes
the

supposed

Chinese

also

phoenix

is

hand,

at

makes

the

the

and

heat

fanning

rises into

flames

rises another

with

never-ending

same

the

of

classic

performance

of

of the

humanity

and

world's

is

sent

Divinity

and

in

It appears

nature.

progress

of which

again at

the

sacred

Ho^ho

the
at

in

for the

the

festation
mani-

development

of

diflTerent stages

it reascends

commencement

have

to

earth

on

in successive

and

the

over

dragon largely
strikinganalogy

extraordinary works

accomplishment
down

the

four

the

It is fabled

fame.

existence, and

miraculous

; the

bears

and

of

one

preside

to

figures with

to

bird

is

Empire

Japanese mythology,

come

Arabia, and

Out

in

to

in

agency,

pursue

it is

change

wings, soon

animals

destinies of the

the

When

of

(the phoenix)

Fung

or

symbolical

of the

age." It
Egypt, and only

time.

own

it

its old

in
a

when

re-birth.

Fum

or

secret

vigour to

phcenix

spices,which, by

rarest

other

or

of the sacred
and

somewhere

"The

little more,

leave

at

is

and

partly golden

says
a

its time

and

is

seen

exist

to

in age

nest

and

if he

picture,but

Thaun

again and

advanced

in

sometimes

said

SYMBOLIC

plumage

years

young

was

itself

but

Philippede

five hundred

lives

of

AND

ages
to

of

; after

heaven
a

new

era.

From

the pagans

the

Early Christians adopted

the

IN

CREATURES
with

them

resurrection

and

and

symbol,
the

to
**^

her

in

Saviour

piety/'it
His

in

wearied

and

its

body, again

peculiarlyan

the

Christian, worn

the

seeks

be

makes

and

of this it

In corroboration

phanix by

300

appeared

period

in

B.C.
reign of Sesostris,

2.

In the

reign of Amasis,

In the

5. In the

of

At

have

266.

the

first

appearances.

is

in

palm.

phoenix

both
to

the

Shakespeare

is

one

tree, the

this hour

and

In

^oml

Greek

palm-tree.

in Arabia

phoenix

throne

"

one

phoenix

reigneththere."
Thi

It is

that
.

There

of

a.d.

vi. 28, mentions

will I believe

Now

is said to

Ptolemy Philadelphus,B.c.

Annaks^^

'*

consist

to

566.

B.c.

334

means
(^phoinix)

alluded

fAe

866.

reign of Constantine,

PhcsnbC'tree

The

"

a.d.

of these

three

is termed

is said

reign of Tiberius, 34

in the

Tacitus

in mind

In the

reign

Tertullian

borne

34,

wonder

1.

4.

thus

of

five times

Egypt

3. In the

Righteousness

be

cycle

or

bird

The

"

years.

labour

writers.

monastic

Phoenix

The

consume

resurrection.

the

a.d.

our

vigour, so

life.

must

died

Jesus Christ, who

that

to

sun

of

of

newness

of

of

by worldly

Son

image

pelican

phoenix when

in life and

the

to

phoenix an

the

of the

rays

exhausted

and

r^eneration

the

emblem
the

As

revived

suffering,turns

for

reference

immortality. Like

was

to

173

had
significance

resurrection.

old

and

its

ART

TempistyAct

iii.sc.

3.

AND

FICTITIOUS

174

Pliny

gives minute

natural

historyof

ancient

fable is

refer

it became
the fashion

among

impress

device

or

Many

motto.

the

they

wished

the

Colonna

Vittoria

accomplished
device

Mary

mother,

motto

phoenix in

Queen

being

Jane
a

coronet.
"

^*

Nascatur

Galleryof
funere

En

phoenix

in

Her

son,

ut

alter

the

of

Royal, with
death

the

phoenix

Book

X.

castle

the

was

her

of

the

badge of
Seymours

issuing from
another

ch.

of

in flames, and

VI., added

(" That

and

commencement.'*

mon

crest

flames

beautifijl

impress

of her death.
alludingto the nature
in St. George's Chapel, Windsor,
*

device

of Pescara, used

used

Edward
"

Thus

(**Her

the

medal.

est

upon

Seymour,

"

vivat

her

on

fin

flames

an

idea

the

metaphor

Marquis

Lorraine,
ma

was

have

to

the Palais

1547)

of Scots
of

it

age when

an

").

of the

phoenix

Queen

Mary
the

of

with

then, that

regarding themselves.
flames paintedfor the

(+

wife

wonder

in

express

live

her

early

accompanying legend or
historical importance employed

of

Invito

itself will make

the

the

lated
trans-

many

of distinction

its

phoenix in
**

motto

with

convey

Jeanne d'Arc, in

and

and

the

creature

no

in

persons

persons

to

is

emblem

phoenix to

find the

we

reality. It

favourite

Ovid

wonderful

the

But

in terris.

Ariosto, also,

to

fullest faith in its

avis

rara

fullygiven by

most

the

particularsconcerning

this

by Dryden.
writers

SYMBOLIC

2.

the

ducal
motto,

may

be born

She

lies buried

with

"),

Latin

CREATURES

translated

Here

"

to

The

world

*"

eadem

Et

with

Sola

such/'

two

favourite

the

phoenix omnis

sometimes

and

(^*The

"

mundi

world");

Semper

**

motto

and
**),

same

medals

her

the

on

other

with
sole

side,

"

Angliaegloria (" And the glory of England"),

her portraitfull-faced.
By the poets of the

As

when

aged

Out

of her

Of

new

in

new

the beauties

As

bird

hath

birth,

phoenix livelyflourisheth."

her

prophecy
the

great

and

which

baptism of

he

puts into

the

Princess

glorious reign

is

finally:

bird of wonder
ashes

urne

true

at

death,

phcenix (deareElizabeth)

the

phoenix.

burne

first return

sacred

"...

Her

to

doth

dead

and

The

flames

of the

of the

of Cranmer

Elizabeth,

(only) bird

sweet

cinders

Shakespeare,in
mouth

the

to

Dedicatoria," says

Arabian

spicy ashes

our

compared

Corona

bodie

whom

From

**

the

Her

On

often

was

his

Sylvester,in

the

ne'er knew

once

of the whole

time, Elizabeth

And

much

her

(" Always
**

death

placed a phcenix upon

with

motto

phoenix

at

thus

birth.

gave

lamented

be

Elizabeth

tokens

and

phcenix

been

has

phcenix lieth,whose

It is

Queen

""

Morgan

son

another

To

the

his

by

175

which

Godwin,

epitaph by Bishop

ART

IN

new

create

great in admiration

as

when

dies,the maiden
another
as

heir,

herself/'

phoenix.

shadowed,
fore-

FICTITIOUS

176

elsewhere

Shakespeare
phoenix among
because

women

'^

If she

with

mind

so

rare.

bird."

Arabian

the

with
"*

heraldic

other

this celebrated

Historic

Palliser

i. sc.

her

(*"There

is

from

Mrs*

by

**

(**Always

Savoy

Cardinal

Trent
:

"

how

much

Bury

Vivat

similis

changed

single:

Unica

*^

solitarybird **).

Ut

est

neglected,or

was

remain

to

Non

afterwards

she

deum

Sola facta solum

^*

She

"}.

determination

of

Linacre

of Austria

like her

none

showing

her

avis

Bona

associated

followingare

The

of Francis

either

express

semper

device.

7.

motto,

to

been

have

mottoes

Devices, Badges," "c.,

Eleanor,Queen
illi "

unique,

paragon,

CymbelifUyAct

Many

denote

to

furnished

is alone

She

simile

phoenix,a

"

be

the

uses

of its kind

alone

SYMBOLIC

AND

vivat

"

post funera

sequor.**

(" That
virtus

live

it may

**

*").

(" Virtue

survives

death

life **).

'*).

death
"

Dc

mi

"

Dc

mort

**"t

muerte

vida"

ma

^ vie

*'

death

my

life

to

protulit** (^And

vitam

morte

From

("

(" From

my

*').

by

death

has

longed
pro-

his life '*).

*^"x
**

Murio

"

Ne

*"

"

Se

y nacio

"

(**I

pcreat" (" That

ero

it

necat

ut

in its

tua

mors

vivat

"

(^^Out of death, immortality*^.

die and

'"

mors,

*"Trouva

joy

immortalitas**

morte,

should

born

am

not

sol nei torment!

**)"
suflfering

perish*').

("O death, I

(" Slays himself

il suo

").

shall be

that

he

thy
may

gioire(^*Itfin"k

death

live
alone

"*).
"*).
its

CREATURES
Vivrc

**

die

live

to

mourir

phoenix

The
other
with

in

than

"

in

one

it is

phoenix

borne

by

and

is

arise

*')"

never

flames of fire

in

enveloped

It is

usuallyrepresented
be of

may

is of

in the United

heraldry,and
Kingdom. A

ducal

is the

in

frequent use

coronet

of

crest

of Somerset.

Duke

of the

Linacre, founder

Collegeof Physicians,and
four sovereignshas on
his
of the
Abbey the device

honorary physician to
tomb

die,

to

tinctures.

families

many

burnt, I die,I

am

eagle in shape, but

an

phoenixissuingfrom
the

I
(**

consumed.

being

of the heraldic

The

("Live

represented in
from flames^ that is,
position,
rising

exactly as
any

177

vivrc"

pour

heraldry

expanded wings

which

ART

**).

Uror, morior, orior

"

in

mourir,

pour

IN

Westminster

in

phoenix,with

the

motto,

survives

(" Virtue
From

the

death

**

Vivat

post funera

"

").
of this fabulous

association

virtus

with

bird

concerning it,and several

alchemy,Paracelsus wrote
alchemists employed it to symbolise their vocation.
It was
adopted by the Apothecaries*Company as
chemists' shops.
crest, and is a frequentsign over
A

in

phanix

coronet^ is the
motto
a

the

over

Fenwick

warfare.

Pdliser,

!
**

''

"

The

ever

flames proper^ gorged

allusive

crest

house

were

of

family

Percy,"

the Fenwicks

valiant of its retainers, and

in

mural

Fenwicks

the

is the cri de guerre^

They
ranked

of

crest

with

"

Fenwick

in border

noted

Mrs.

says

among
border

; the

the

warfare
M

Bury
most

the

FICTITIOUS

178
banner

of

always

appeared

time

fzct

accepted
has

which

at

it

equal

the

great

with

confidence

knows

of

brought
a

plumage
veritable

doubt
to

bird,

the

had

Heliogabalus

ate

of

"

Bird

creature

in

the

carried

fiuth,

and

had

one

not

all

was

of

parts

The

of

islands
for

of

out

Sun

there

the

the

of

paradise,
The

conviction
went

was

Eastern

glory

'*

to

that

canker-

day

one

the

affirmed

solitary bird,

last,

seen

of

he

third."

which

been

only

birds, each

hr

the

like

never

phoenix,

At

of

day

proconsuls

from

no

from

Rome

of

sacred

knows

thought,

one

that

zeal

the

''

he

as

imperial gourmand

wondrous

remains

magnificent

contented.

be

to

second,

no

worm

and

luxurious

it that

the

and

occasion,

strange

came

The

phoenix,

him

inconsolable

before.

of

earth

eaten,

mattered

thatoney

was

thought
to

What

time

and

have,

must

having

for

having

as

That

Gibbon.

delicacy, bethought

phoenix.

existed

bird

the

of

crescent

veritable

the

escaped

known

fabled

interesting

as

Heliogabalus,

every

the

is

paradise

been

Emperor,

seas

silver

the

flame

burning

the

in

of

that

with

of

bird

The

of

phoenix

gorged

the

SYMBOLIC

Percys."

the

AND

the

sight of
with

his

its

it.

fathers

IN

CREATURES

Harp7, wingt

Of

monsters

God

sends

allymost

And

but
virgii^sfacOy

Her

hands

ditdoted.

tAis

monstrous

^monfftmen

womb

no

greator wratA

heU
from depthoffitchy

it comes

li^/gulf unsatiate hath^

grifingclaws^ her

are

179

J^at^g

m^t
**

ART

colour f ale

andJeU!^
Virgil.

^^

Thou

like the

art

doth
to betray^

Which

with

Seize

an
**

^^

winged

woman,

fierce and
and

wear

creatures

and

the

of

Pericles Prince

having the

body

and

Tyre,"

classical

limbs

loathsome, livingin

stench, and

angsfsface^

an

eagles talons.^*

monstrosityof

POETICAL

as

harpy

an

iv.

"c.

4.

described
origin,

head
of

Act

and
a

breasts of

vulture

atmosphere

contaminating anything

; very

of filth

which

they

FICTITIOUS

i8o

emaciated, they

and

Pale

near.

come

ally
continu-

were

hunger."

insatiable

with

tormented

SYMBOLIC

AND

best

known

story

of

where

They

the

Ai^onauts,

of

Phineus,

table

they robbed

ancients

Millington's

"

Odyssey," as

later

and

whirlwinds
one

The

the

names

indicate that

these

whirlwinds

and

of

Ocypeta

Were:

in Homer's
while

them

reduced

to

mentions

Homer
later

gives two,

is

mythical

personations;

part

whirlpools.

harpy. Hesiod

such

as
originally,

most

it

Romance,"

instead of

persons
for

authors

History, Poetry

of
generality

beings, the harpies appear

aldry
"Her-

book,

in

the

ministers

death.

tcttlptare.

unlike

that

stated

either

spoiled.

as

Miss

and

its

regarded by

admirable
Harp7, Greek

they

were

In

of

or

of sudden

Tht

whose

king

devoured

blind

the

viands, which

the

as

appear

tormentors

the

the

from

they

They

arc

monsters

writers
were

The

storms.

but
three.

sonations
impernames

AelU
(blackness),

(rapid),Celtno

(storm).
**

I will
Hold

do
...

three

any

woras'
Much

embassage
conference

Ado

About

rather than
.

with

this

harpy."

Nothing^Act

ii. sc

i.

IN

CREATURES

Bravely the figureof

**

Ariel

Performed) my

this
;

i8i

ART

harpy

hast

thou

it had

grace

devouring."

Tempest^Act
AzurCy
with

3.

harpy

her

iii.sc

wings

dis-

closedyherhairfiotanty
ory armed

This
in

ofthe

existed

coat

Huntingdon

Church
lam's

Guil-

in
time.

The

displayed
crined
0r.

crowned^

occurs

city device
as

harpy
armed^

and

It

the

Nuremberg

azure^

of

arms

of

City
are

same.

as
as

I"

1243.

the

Harpy duplayed

and

German

crowned.

Tettion.

early
German

heraldry

it is termed

^i/ir;-

fraundUr.
A

creature

the

to

harpy
of

combination

badges),
the

Shield

of

Nurembeif

with

maiden

white

several

of

devices

of

III., viz.,

Richard

(a

one

was

favourite

falcon

lar
simi-

very

rose

head

of

holding

the

the

of York.

FICTITIOUS

82

SYMBOLIC

AND

tUf^tiDleraGitciPeltcan
Then

When
ffttk

my

sayd thepelljcane
byratsbe slayne

my
bloude

I them

{revive)

reuyue

doth record^
Scrypture
The

And

rose

same

/rem

dyd
detk

Lord^

our

to

lyne^

SicELTONy

The
as

ascribed

character
fabulous

as

that of

of Birds."

Armory

pelican

the

to

the

**

From

phoenix.

is
a

nearly
clumsy,

gluttonous, piscivorous
water-bird, it
of

growth

of Christ, whom

Dante

terms

"'Nostro

the

The

Pelican

Christ, by
a

of

in her

his salvation

**

by

in Christian

whose

blood

symbol of charity.

Art
we

are

is

as

the

by

man

blood

the

the story of

destroyed by

ones

serpents

and

Hicro-

pelican restoringits

young

of

St.

gives

nymus

piety,wings
displayed.

mystic

emblem

Pelicano/'

Pelican

the

formed
legendstrans-

into

by

was

an

an

tion
illustra-

destruction
the

old

pent,
Ser-

of Christ.

emblem

healed."

of Jesus
It is also

The
that
the

young
bird

them

ones

begin

and

provoke

mother

the

dead

the

sits

on

and

they

feed

and

endorsed
her

mandible,

of the bill to
her

young

the

with

to

the

in her

embowed,

three

days.

blood

ner

over

them,

to

bird

with

wings
breast

her

wounding

earlypunters mistakenly

many

eagle,and

an

bag

enormous

extending almost

throat.
her

in

plct]\

this

represent

Very

and

nest

kills

he

that

so

when

against the

rebel

anger,

us

blood.

representedit similar
pelican,which has an
lower

his

Pelican

the

neck

beak.

they

grow

birds, pours

usually

Heralds

with

on

to

returns

Heraldic

of its brood, but

fond

very

183

Physiologus tells

that

says

pelicanis

the

male

"

Bestiarum

**

ART

IN

CREATURES

When

blood,

she

not

natural

attached

from

in her
is s^d

as

to

the

nest
to

be

the

point

feeding
in

her

PIETY.

The

Romans

called filiallove

piety,hence

Virgil's

FICTITIOUS

84

hero

is called

the

his father from

The

**

the

that

myth

SYMBOLIC

AND

because

pious ^neas/*
flames

of

he rescued

Troy.

pelicansfeed

their young

with

their

:SZZHi5B2S

lML^iflM}^^^^M
Crett^

blood

When

have
the

Pelican

fi-om

arose

the whole

They

"

Tulninf

the

superstructure
a

large bag

henelf

proper,

wingt

endorsed.

following habit,
of

feble has

attached

parent bird is about

to

to

been

their

feed

on

which
erected

under-bilL

its

brood,

it

IN

CREATURES

pressing the
food

The

pelicanin

pouch

or

piety

is

not

it with

the

ones.

of William

That

Church,

Warbleton

Hastings,in

the

uncommon

an

brasses.

then,

transfers

of the young

mouths

her

of

Dean

Sussex, has
Xtus

the

to

monumental

upon

Prestwick,

hag

185

bag against its breast,

macerated

symbol

this

fish in

small

macerates

ART

explanatory motto

''Sic

dilexit nos/'

Examples.

Guks^

"

her

pelican in

piety^ or,

"

ChauntrelU

t4zure^
proper.

Pelham^ Somerset^ "c.

"

head erased, or
pelican*s

A
the

body,

and

always be

must

vulning itsdf.

low

as

the

pelican had

it

blood

the

the

flowihgfrom
In

for

us

His

Alphonso

pelican

always

be

separated as

old, observing that

on

tip of

the
to

feed

Early

blood, which

beak,

its young

its breast, which

this belief the

His

its

the

it

tore

Christians

forth

set

the

willingly

was

children.

King

Wise,

the

in

position

same

pelicanto figureChrist, and

redemption through
shed

in the

accustomed

was

for the purpose.

adopted

of

stain

crimson

that

reported

should

It

naturalists
a

drawn

from

detached

otherwise

part of the breast.

upper

It is said

with

themselves

pelicans argent^ vulning

three

its

piety.

of Castile

Motto

**

(+1252).

Pro

lege

et

grege.**
William
the

United
of

of

Nassau,

Provinces,

modern

founder
of

one

history.

He

of
the
bore

the

Republic of

noblest
on

some

ters
charac-

of

his

FICTITIOUS

86

standards
**

Pro

AND

pelican,and

the

lege,grege
in

pelican

IX.

of

One
Motto

piety.

its

others

on

the

motto

rege.'*

et

Clement

Pope

SYMBOLIC

his devices

"

demens

Aliis

^*

the

was

sibi

non

to
('"Tender-hearted

others, not
Other

himself*').
for the

mottoes

can
peli-

"*Ut

they

vitam

habcant"
life ")"

have

may

Immemor

"*

("That

sui

ipse

"

mindful
(**Un-

herself of herself
Mortuos

**

the
The

dead

live''}.

Ncc

sibi

"

Pelican.

natural

vivificat

"

parcit

"

*).
(" Makes

(" Nor

spares

herself').

"*

The

Tki

guest of summer^
martkt**

UmfMUmAng

"Mtcbcth/'

The

Martlet

Latin). The

Merulay
swallow
all

is

over

favourite

Europe,

somewhat

wing

and

device
has

character

that

it catches

and

never

Merloi^

or

house-marten

unreal

circumstance
the

{Merleue

appears

in

or

heraldry

assumed
from
its food
to

French

the
on

alighton

the

ground

CREATURES
other

as

under

birds

do.

eaves

of

the

ART

IN
builds

It

its nest

houses, from

the

on

shortness
it rest

of its
the

on

length of

; the

wing

Buttress,nor

it

gains

its

wings

made

his

No

The

but

pendant bed, and

of

Morgan
.bird

says

six

for

swallow

"),and

poem

'^

Swift
And

Thro'
And

as

his

seal

wings

swallows,

his
De

"

"

of

or

that

brothers

of their

own

become

the

own

The
**

Wardour

are

his lance

prey

to

the

none

").

century is thus rendered

whence

his arms'

took, enraged
the

bears

(" Concerning

"

swallow,

Arundel

great Arundells

praeda (**A

gazing troops,
strikes

of

town

of

Hirundine

NuUi

arms

punning cognisance

the

arms.

of the twelfth
the

the

Arundell

Baron

motto,

Latin

'"

Sylvanus

younger

the

the

is
{hirondelle)

swallow,

as

like

The

swallows

have

but

on

so

feet

signify,
as

to

in

in their seasons/'

Arundell.
a

rest

who,

swallow

The

is

to

legsor

son.

used

land,

6.

i. sc"

difference

"

fourth

modernly

Act

visible

no

the

cradle."

wings close, and

appropriate

for

It

"

with

lights on

endeavours,

for

is the

little land

travellers

the

this bird

procreant

with

armory

cadency

seldom

have

in

thighs,but

martlet

mark

and

jutty friese,

of vantage,

coign

depicted

with
profile,

its food

risingshould

Macbethy
It is

take

can

ground.
**

Hath

it

it from

legs preventing

frequently

whence

as
flightreadily,rarely alighting,

while

187

wonder

in William's

he

of the

device
fiies

field,

shield.'*
glittering

FICTITIOUS

88
**

find it in Glovers'

We

de

by Roger

although in
d* argent

border/*
h

gouiz

"

le bordure

en

roll,"says Planch^, "borne

Merley, clearlyas

de

et

SYMBOLIC

AND

de

Roger
la bordure

showing

it

parlantes,*

armes

Merley

d'azur^

was

some

baric

^^

merlots

et

i'or

of

difference

family coat.

JTfieaierion
is

but

without

it with

confound

Alerion

is the

same

They

are

and

the

bird

said

^r,
to

on

who

David's

at

one

Tower

Some

writers

its

wings displayedor

bend

Eafle.

extended.

of Lorraine,

arms

gules

three Alerions

be

assumed
made

draught
in

played,
dis-

martlet, statingthat the alerion

in the

first found

are

claws.

or

eaglet

an

Heraldic

with

extraordinary shot
**'

beak

as

displayed.

blazoned

are

bird, represented

heraldic

of

argent^
of

in commemoration

an

by Godfrey de Boulogne,
his bow, shooting against

Jerusalem,

birds called Alerions, which

which

broched

the

House

three

of

feetless

Lorraine,

CREATURES

IN

ART

189

It
to this day."
decending from his race, continued
broached
this wonis impossible,says Planch^, who
derful
but

story,
narrator

the noble

not

The

an

shield

the

and

may

Liver,

of that

city.

account

for

the

and

longbow

"

be

to

appear

letters

same

birds

the

on

called alerions.
two-headed

eagle are
representationsof the

(Gmnorant)

branch
the

Argent

colours^a

cormorant^

"Liver**

naturallyarose
name

the

Laver
bird

the

of

the

the

It

arms

being applied
from

desire

town.

was

on

*re

beak
a

It

is

more

it.

to

find

The
a

the

than

suggested

to

wreath

wings elevated^in

proper.
on

bird

town

the

for crest,

and
^

as

arms

in 1797

hi

cormorant^

all proper

the

the

the

granted

its

given

in

which

arms

ofseaweed

probable that

the

The

of

have

described
traditionally

founded.

branch

to

commemorated

and

It is

blazoned:

thus

for

the

bird, supposed

Liverpool

afterwards

name

by

frequented the pooly near

that

beak

formed

Lhrer

fabulous

to

name

the

bird.

The

of

Alerion

conventionalised

extreme

natural

the

word

(probablyeaglets)being
eagledisplayed and the

The
but

of

anagram

LoRAiNE,

drew

that

Godfrey.

letters

merely

perfectlyevident

is

party who

the

was

it

the

fiction

derivation

is, however,

always

the shield the bird is

On
depictedas a cormorant.
alwajrsdepicted with the wings close^and on the crest
the

wings

are

elevated.

FICTITIOUS

I90

An

Henldic

Tigrt pattant.

^f)e fl^ttaMt
jf savage

"

The

SYMBOLIC

AND

fygras

en

^tgre
her helmet

Res

usU

famous had^ Ckrinda

^gger

or

to

wear.**

Fairfax's

The
its

tyger of

tigreor
place

name

in

it

bears

The

name.

authority for
the wild

but

early
the

such

may

monster.

artists

natural

travel

also
This

to

ancient

tiger,to
the

except
had

probably

better

no

they depicted than

creature

and

their

lively

own

of

drawing

in

have

assisted

in

producing

habit

ferocity,
approachingthe
destructiveness,was

the

little resemblance

tales of Eastern

manner

still holds

retainingthe

from

strange

imaginations. The

heralds

old

armory,

distinguishit

to

which

English

the

**Tasso."

type

of

draconic

their minds

wild

and

tional
conven-

ruthless

in its power

and

fitlysuggested

IN

CREATURES

by exaggerations of
^

endowed.

be

''

the

When

"

blast of

Stiffen the

swift
it were

flightas

tiger;
blood,

the

up

hard-fitvoured

"

is

rage.'*

beast

ful
wonder-

in

an

He

tygris.

distinguished
diverse

with

speckes ;
him

and

tooke

name.

It

Bacchus

used

beastes

in

the

is

in
^he

said
these
his

chariot, for
marveilous

of

floode

the

Tygris

is

cars

the

call

Persians

our

that

an

For

arrow.

is

summon

with

to

strength,

most

arrow

in

of the

tyger/*says Bossewell,

The

in
and

Nature

supposed

was

Henry V.,
English" and *'good

blows

war

savageness

Harfleur, declare

action

sinews,

Disguise fair
"

the

imitate

Then

at

of

King

makes

noblest

*^

the assault

to

yeomen

his

on

it

which

Shakespeare

urging

when

191

attributes

those
with

bloodthirstiness

and

ART

their
Supporter, an

Heraldic

Tigre,

collared

and

lined.

ness
swift-

conveying
heraldic

of the same."

the
tigre^

invention

depicted as having the body

of the
similar

earlyheralds,

to

wolf, but

FICTITIOUS

192

massive

strong and

more

horn

spike

or

; tufts

also

strong daws
He

is

tail of

is

heraldic

an

Gules

the second.

heraldic

armed**

**

his

and

body.

Marquess

of Dufferin

Hgre ermine, gorged

with

three

"c., of
tigres^

Calais.

Butler

"

in

creature

argent^ between

chevron

florjor.

florycounter

tressure

as

thighs,and with
completes his equipment.

lion

of the

sinister supporter

Ava

and

of

row

of his neck

especially when
from
of tinctures differing
tufted**
The

curved

nose.

emblazonment,
""

with

short

back

effective

most

the

armed

his breast and

on

the

with

of his

end

the

at

tufts of hair adorn

knotted
mane

powerfuljaws

tusks, and

canine

prominent

SYMBOLIC

AND

Vert, a tigrepassant

or, maned

and

tuftedargent.

"

Love, Norfolk
Or,

(granted1663).
tigre passant gules. Lutwych,

Lutwich,

"

Salop.
for

has for

Harlech

Baron

crest,

an

heraldic

dexter

supporter, and

tigreargent,

maned

and

also

tufted

sable.

The

tigreand

remarkable
ideas

which

tigre of

damme

other

her

from

^^some

young

whether

gaze,

or

because

when

use

following

in
looking-glasses
to

report

the

she

them

to

seeth

who

detaine

rob
their

by casting sundry

whereat

she

beholde

her

her

respecting

those

policyto

way,

it be

that

very

remarkable

entertained

ancestors

our

but

uncommon

an

bearing. Amongst

foreign animals,
the

is

mirror

shape

useth
owne

in the

long
beauty

to

glasse

IN

CREATURES
she
so

they
^^

seeth

she

thinketh

handle

per^^ is

said

of

coat

Hadrian

the

of

been

still

These

remain,

Church.

examples
Argent

were

or

latelyremaining,in
other

Bardis

de

Oxfordshire.

of Thame

the

dary
PrebenItalian),

(probablyan
arms

have

to

all pro-

dexter

the

to

; and

ones

young

*
pursuit."
regardant lookinginto

tigrepassant

lying fesswaySy

mirror

**

of her

one

193

the Swiftness of her

escape

Argenty

ART

window

Only

viz.

occur,

tigreand

two
:

Tigre

mirror

and

Mirror.

Siiell,Kent.
(asbefore)gules.''"

The
Next

the

to

in

]ion

possessedof

not

fierce without

Royal

the noble

spots

of

of the mottled

animal
on

the

skin, which
of the

direction

the

ounce

this

animal, except that

related in the

by

Albertus

^^

Display

Latin

*^

without

cruel

tiger from
is in
in

run

ribs.

all,in

are

Guillam's

the
kind

the

tiger,an animal
of the lion, being
qualities
is the

provocation,and

chief difference

The

power

Tiger

the

cause.

other

every

shape

streaks

of

the

bands

or

in

The

leopard,panther and
certain degree, marked
like
the lines are broken
by round

of

Heraldry."

Bestiarium," Harl.

Magnus, Camerarius,

The
MSS.

same

4751

"c.
N

is also
;

and

FICTITIOUS

194

which

spots,
The

the

cover

SYMBOLIC

whole

surface

of the royal tigerin modern

use

reference

frequent,and

has

Outram,

Bart,

bengal tigersguar

dan

Note,

In

"

with

and

to

mythical

be

for the

the

confounded

usuallycalled

Heoparli,

wreath

with

the

Royal

"

of
it is

as

of greater clearness,

to

the

name

older

Tigri,'* that

Heraldic

*'

royal

crown.

sake

confusion,

prevent

creature

Eastern

East*

two

is

arms

description(or blazon

heraldic

an

of

gorged with

skin.

the

in the

supporters

proper^

it is
necessary

termed)

not

of

coats

services

to

for

has

laurel vert^ crowned

may

AND

its natural

it

tive
representa-

Tiger"

iPantfier,Jpelts ilatliust

or

Egiiiiarlre
^'

Vpw

Ms

sJkouIdersa uheld

With

the

lybiardisfdnted toileP
"'The

Metrical
Cceur

^'

Liwe

ifdaki the Vthhard

roaringywhen
Spenser,

It

was

ascribed
said

panther, the
some

noted

**

Faerie

to

to

the

be

the

Northmen

of Richard

Romance

de

Ljon."

stem

hefinrrevenge

Queen,"

character, partlyreal and

CURIOUS

has been

in rage

of sule

did yearn

Book

/^

i. canto

vi.

partly fictitious

lybbard or leopardof heraldry.

offspringof
or

Normans,

lioness and

according

to

authorities, having adopted that beast of prey,

for rashness,

as

typicalof themselveS|so

charac-

CREATURES
tensed
of

boldness

by

Rollo,

leopard.

second

lion

the

to

lions

when

thus

^were

"

the

added

the

to

Maine

became

; and

the

two

termed

and

Conqueror,

descendants.

say, bore

said,

of William

standard

the

upon

Normandy

standard

they

it is

borne,

The

they
of

county

of

for

"

195

leopard was

or

Duchy

so
indiscriminately

arc

Normandy,

the

leopards

or

ART

impetuosity.

of

shield

annexed

and

first Duke
A

Norman

IN

third

his

by

lion
AUo^d^unnu

added

was

his

also the
It

has

been

leopards.
J.

also

by

The

R.

case

In

royal
The

lion

devoyent

stand

passant

stronglyto
Let

us

excite

drive

Breton,

filon

la

these

ably

three
lions

were

treated

of Arms,"

The

French

Thus

by
and

given

heralds

Bertrand

declared

noble

be

to

that

du
men

fleur-de-lis,
qu'ils

liipard/' and

the valour

the

leopard.

being

in several of his works*

attitudes.

honorer

le

been

is believed

name

famous

bien

England

"Pursuivant

thus

the

coats

faissaient

ne

**

in the

to

Guesclin, the
**

of

subjecthas

the lion in certain

call

shield

lion

whether

contested

Boutell,M. A.,

seems

ancient

of

Aquitain, a
province.

keenly

Planche

Charles

on

Eleanor

of that

in the

Mr.

to

with

arms

animals
or

Henry

by

marriage

II.

Napoleon,

of his soldiers,
exclaimed,

leopards(the English)into

the

sea!"
^^

Lion

Uoparde^*

is

the

term

used

in

French

FICTITIOUS

196

heraldry for
in

as

the

"

leopard

of

the

lion.

denoted

the

watchfulness
The

assumed

of

It is

The

of

England.

of the

of the

if in

Frederick

attitude

this

character

guardant

tread

thus

cat-like

and

panther.

II.

three

rampant

bold

passant

leopard and

England

When

positionand

attitude

guardani

passant

as

peculiar stealthy

great

borne

the

of his armorial

token

when

l^oparde lionni,"

Emperor

Henry

that

lion

royal shield

the

call it

they

the

SYMBOLIC

AND

(1235)

leopards

as

King

sent

in

present

bearings.

lion for the

the latter should

favour

in

argument

Boutell

leopard, Mr.

have

tion
the substitu-

of

thinks,

disappeared from

almost

face and

English heraldry,the

only retainingtheir place in

head

modern

coats.

leopard*
s

"

part of

the

the

as

neck, couped

case

be understood
in

never

be;

may

front

or
affronte

face,
of

Leopard^t Face,

jestant-de-lis.

of

the

with
used

with

de-lis

passingthrough

The
three

In

respect

insigniaof
heads
leopards^

to

erased^

or

guardant^
always

to

profile.
neck,

the
a

is

show

leopard, and

the

^^AUopard*sface^
A

should

head^^

term

and
^^

shows

no

part

in

conjunction
jessant-^-lis^^is

leopard*sface having z, fleur-

it

the

See

reversed

of

Hereford

is

gules

or.
jessant-de-lis,

heraldrythe leopard represents

those

brave

and

CREATURES
who

warriors

generous

activity. Thus
bold

the

^^

Full

Even

and

of

in

the

and

"

the

of

the

wounded

sent
repre-

heads

no

are

nimbus.

pelletee^
appear

or^

It is

Downshire.

of

with

death,"

to

consequently has
Marquis

to

Apocalypse,

Six

seventh, being

of

arms

quarrel,

in

quick

pard,

mouth."

horns.

ten

the

like the

bearded

leopards passant guardant

the

character

the

to

leopard is employed

spoken

and

but

the

Art

lost its power,

on

and

reputation

cannon's

beast

heads

Three

oaths, and

bubble

in the

In Christian

has

alludes

honour, sudden

in

Seeking the

nimbed,

bold

some

soldier

Jealous

seven

197

promptitude,

courage,

Shakespeare

of strange

that

ART

performed

have

force,

enterprise with
of

IN

sinister supporter.

also the
The

of

supporters

the

of

town

Aberdeen

arc

leopards.
Sable

three

given

are

probable
blazoned

the

as

that

is the
The

proper.

"

the

was
''

cross

ducal

coronet

for the
a

crest,

or,

is, however,

originally

name.

leopards head^
a

demi^leopard

Dickens.

leopards face^ breaking with

crest

It

animal

sabU^

patonce

spottea sable

argent

Lynch.

parlantes

arms

issuingout of
y

lynx

'^

on

of

arms

the

as

Ermine

erect

leopards rampant

his

mouth

swordy

of Disne.

supporters

of the

leopardsreguardant.

Earl

of

Northesk

are

two

FICTITIOUS

198
The

leopardor

F,R.S.,*

only
lion

animals, except the

known

been

have

the

forlorn Ariadne

is

spottedsteeds

of her

amphitheatre,and,
tiger,has
a

bold-hearted

in

barbarous

executioner

times

olden

was

With
He

In

the

panther

was

of the

with

the

lion

and

grave

to

says

the

and
many

manded

in the

mantle

Iliad,**Homer,

'^

pard'sspotted hide

his shoulders

broad

o'er,"

of the forms

one

as

sented
repre-

of the

one

sports

leopard,or panther,is given in

the

and

The

favourite

Greece.

in

speaking of Menelaus,
^

always

martyr.

leopard'sskin

The

common

to

seems

Bacchus, and

lover.

in

feline

greater

It is

of

chariot

the

Duncan,

tiger,which

and

divine

both

been

M.

sculpturedas ridingon

constantlyused

also

the

the ancients.

to

drawing

as

of

one

P.

Dr.

panther, says

the

was

SYMBOLIC

AND

assumed

the

by Proteus,

**

*^

Odyssey

"

the Ancient

oftheDeep.**
curious

embodied

in its

actuallythe
be

to

and

the

'*

us,

has

It

animal

same

mongrel

lasted
and

as

hybrid

or

lioness,hence

Leopards
Some

about
superstition

name.

leopardus. This

or

**

ancient

it

error,

was
as

was

the

mules

are

to

be

panther or pard,

but

thought

between
called

the
the

times

''

properly no

not

male

pard

lion-panther,

Archbishop

into modern

leopardis

the

Trench

; thus

tells

Fuller

creatures.*'

writers, says Boutell, describe the leopard

"

"Casscll's

Natural

History."

as

CREATURES
the

of

issue

the

and

pard

the

unproductiveness

its

frequent adoption

abbesses.

The
to

but

be

six

or

of five

to

has

It is the

simple

of

of

The

black

Witldn
To

of

of

inhabits

assemblage

an

the

much

region

same

of smaller

are

sembles
re-

size).

perpetualgrowl."

Panther

bush J^s

underneath,

It very

spots.

''Incensed''
his

hide
spotted

f lease all beasts^but that his looks

a

^^The

spots.

feline tribe,always retaining

panther^hmtoing that
Doth

In

slightdifference

composed

the

pares."

species.

same

some

of spots which

rows

and

abbots

patches resemblingrosettes

leopard,which

wildest

The

the

for

reason

acknowledged

now

above, white

each

its fierce aspect and

**

are

they assign

in honore

sunt

number

the

to

say,

ten

of

arms

'*

ranges

six

or

the

(but

History

as

seven

is

that

of

is fawn-coloured

panther

"

abbates

panther

Natural

"

hybrids as

the

slight varieties

mentioned

with

in

199

lioness, and

of such

et

and

leopard

Wood's
is

Mulus

*^

ART

IN

dreadfidhead

let them gaze^

whUle he

on

themfray^

doth hide

them

doth

freyP
Spenser, Sonnet.

beast, like the

This

of much
is

mistaken

responsible for

history since
said

that

all

his

or

leopard,
fictitious
of

many

time,

says

four-footed

the

object
history. Pliny, who

the

of

been

has

errors

the

beasts

in

panther
are

natural
**

It is

wonderfully

FICTITIOUS

200

AND

delightedand

enticed

their hideous

looke

they bewray
them

as

so

soon

much

by

agun

they
:

of

the smell

crabbed

and
as

SYMBOLIC

panthers;

which

countenance

their

therefore

heads, and

then:

when

they have

their

reach

sweet

savour,

they fall
and

And

credulous

for

his

spotted

like
do

smoke

our

is,however,

with

being

variable
of his

sweetness

of his nostrils and

paynters

more

ears

mistaking,corruptly

probable that

representedemittingflame

and

of the

brute

terror

inspiredby
Bk.

when

irritated.
remorseless

viii. ch. 17.

the

smoke

give characteristic expression to

beauty

fire.'*
t

make
It

which

the

skyn,

[Panther incensed.

for the

panther
of all other

is admired
beasts

same

historian,

"The

says:

forth

agsun,

the

following

that streameth

worry

Segar,
King-of-Arms,

Garter

breath

their

William

Sir

of them

within

by

them

them."

of

trained

beasts

upon

beloved

is to

manner

hide

other

colours, and

skareth

their heads

show

but

If

the
one

and

to

creature

denote

native
can

was

and

savagery

imagine the

unpitying fury,

f Harl. MSS.

6085.

CREATURES
sudden

and

doubtless
feline

observable

race,
*'

and

emblem

an

this

in

Guillam

panther

is

his

is

sort,

beautiful

their

of

is

body
doth

the

his

their

hazard

of

they

bewail

domestic

the

cat, to
and

cative
indi-

extremely well

in

aspect, by

of

reason

coloured
As
of

nature

of

Africa,

plentiful.The

are

spots

lion doth

a
a

so,

man,

woman

; for

fierce,yet

very

loving

panther
will

defend

lives ; and

their

opinion that
but

divers

the

and

own

of

are

overspread.

beast, and
ones,

young

was

peculiarto

Europe

beautiful

things resemble

most

after

in

they

variety

wherewith
in

of

beast

manifold

the

authors

Some

*^

Mauritania

and

Lybia

ears

rudely attacked,

it is

panthersbred

no

and

eyes

fury.

says

are

idea of fire and

the

when

sense

fied
objectfairlytypi-

habit
in

swear

201

The

that

even

ART
its

see

mouth,

"

**

of sudden

there

its

suggested by

spitfire

as

we

incensed/'

"

darting from

smoke

**

impetuous,
panther

in the

IN

loss

with

badge

**the

them

if

they

loud

and

with
miss

it
to

the

them,

miserable

howling."
The
"

Lancastrian

is attributed

which

VI.

blazoned

and

all colours
; but

ears

there

is

no

Beaufort,

token

of

Sir William

passant
vapour

Segar to Henry

guardant argent spotted

issuant

from

her

mouth

of

and

authority quoted for it, and

the
example extant,
only collateral

there

being

evidence
of

with

by

panther,*'
says Planchi,

is

the supporters

who

their

no

are

of the Somerset

supposed

Lancastrian

to

have

descent/'

Dukes

used

it

The

dexter

as

FICTITIOUS

202

AND

of Beaufort

supporter

of the Duke

Dexter

panther argent^

a
y

SYMBOLIC

of

semee

pomies alternatelyflames
f roper

ears

chained^

termed,

and

for

The
**

La

he

had

of

town

"

issuing from

its

of various

as

standard, with
mind

(""The

tures
tinc-

much

with

Italian

remarks

motto

soldier,bore

to

panther

Mens

the

Great

panther

sibi conscia

itself of the deed

"),

the

panther signifyingforesight(providence) from

the

number

to

imply

the various

of eyes

in his coat.

Others

he

how

manage

that

knew

changes
*

of- his
Hist.

to

said

he wished

for himself

capriciousfortune.*"
Dcv.

260.

onora,^^

surnamed

**

modern

ambition."

bears

motto,

conscious

the

notwithstanding its

arms

abbraccia

the

fierce appearance,

vanity as

for

of France

further"),alludingto

Trivulzio,

celebrated

of

panther,

entices

Lucca

Giacomo

(+ 1518), a
facti

it is

person

evidence,"

che Lucca

pantera^

his

is to

say,

spotted

of that animal

power

that

(" He

**an

Gian

on

device

exterior,
*'

guardanty

state.

may

ulterius'*

writer,

is

coat

borne

that

smoke

being considered

the attractive
fierce

Its

blazon

took

AUicit

and

frequently

more

Foix, Sieur de Lautrec, Marshal

de

(+1528)
"

it is

as

incensed,"

*^

flames

ears.

the

Odet

and

with

depicted

as

panther, or

panther incensed, is always

i.e.yfull-faced

mouth

collar^ and

plain

and

mouth

or.

heraldic

The

with

gorged

the

and

hurts

torteaux^

from

issuant

is blazoned

thus

in

CREATURES

IN

The

ART

203

Lynx.

STfieILgnx
Felis

Lynx,

parts of

northern
climbs

the

He

of animals

to

smaller

than

is fond

length,his

hair

at

the

the

with

His

ears

tips.

ancients

distance
this

account

lynx

walls

it

is said

kills great numbers

to

and

with

black

pencilof

under

the

be

it the

it may,

carnivorous

is

half

at

the

black
upper

parts white.

piercingthat
factdty of seeing
so

however,

its
distinguishes

other

thirst. He

feet and

three

to

and

deer,
squirrels,

long and thick,the

palegrey,

the

in

America,

on

shorter

fur is

The

the

that

than

and

erect

are

attributed

stone

truth

and

preys

of blood

tail is much

sightof

through

He

panther, about

part of the body is

The

Asia

found

satisfylus unconquerable
the

extremity.

is

cat,

Europe,

highest trees.

hares, "c.

in

mountain

or

prey

be
at

asserted
a

greater

quadruped. On
it Ms frequently employed in heraldry.
any

FICTITIOUS

204

AND

symbolising watchfulness,
the

the

Lynceu%
of
and

lynx

through

then

rise

gave
wall

who

argonaut,
vision

his

also

lyncds," originallyreferred

oculis

*'

of vision, and

keenness

it.

abilityto profitby
Lynx-eyed,

SYMBOLIC

it

(notes

fable

the

that

ness
keenthe

to

it could

Philobiblon,"

"

to

for

transferred

was

the

to

famed

was

to

see

C.

by E.

Thomas).
Accademia

The

natural

lynx

the

academy,
who

mathematician,

and

obscura, bore

camera

lynx, and
and

the motto
into

looks
Charles

adopted

the

any

The
cat

kind

ears

and

Lizard

tail

for

the

of

Galileo,
among

philosopher
of

inventor

of the

of

eyes

were

latter

the

the

academy,
"

Aspicit et inspicit ("

the

Looks

at

Emperor

Luxemburg,
for

his

impress,
'*

occursum

("

He

of

with

fears

Germany,
the

not

motto,

meeting

").

one

Sweden,

usually

lynx

pavit

of

"

the

Porta

device

the

taste

nature.

the

was

in

'').
of

IV.

Nullius

with

of

of

Rome

device

have

of

secrets

and

name

Gianbattista

and

Colonna,
members

the

the

should

the

in

encouraging

members

the

penetrate

to

Fabio

of

object

history, adopted

because

lynx

**

the

with

1603,

Lincei, founded

de

are

Lynx
dark

short

lizards.

animal

an

brown

Denmark

termed

is

lynx

are

frequent in

Norway,

where

wild

or

colour, spotted black

They
and

of the

the

the woods

they

are

CREATURES

IN

Cat-a-MounUin

taliant,collared

OTatsasittountain"

Clan

of Caithness, bore

county
mountain

cat, and

Sutherland,
The

"

called

Mohr

an

these

warning
The

as

whole

Teutonic
means

without

is

settlers
'^

Touch
a

**

motto,

not

pun

their

as

or

"

cognisance the

(The
as

their

cats, with
Touch
upon

not

the

the

the

cat

word

of

Cat).

and

crests

wild

Earl

Wild

Great

the

to

name

their chieftain,the

chat

ferocious

their

gave

still bear

Mackintoshes

lined.

and

Otat

who

Chattan,

205

JTiget "at

mim
The

ART

porters
sup-

appropriate
but
"

glove."

Catti," the

of Caithness, 1.^., Catti-ness, and

the Clan

Cattan

Here

^^but"

glove."

(or mountain
is used

cat)
in

the

FICTITIOUS

2o6

SYMBOLIC

AND

words

same

several

her

claws

the Clan

to

Scott's

Sir Walter
The

forgethow

will

used

the

as

of

motto

families.

Scottish

None

also

are

iil 7,

Amos

**

The

another

For

originalmeaning, beout, i.^., without.

example of but" meaning without, see

Heraldic

Musion.

of Perth

Wynds

Bossewell, in his work

"

on

scribes
de-

heraldry published 1572,

a

is

that

^j^

musion

is

he

He

**

seeth

so

his

sejant,

Cat-a-MounUin,

collared

in his

He

maketh

youthe
a

profierethto
beaste
from

when

aboute

is

is

to

the
like

hath

He

fightewith
is wilde

When

he

be

shape
unto

greate

doth

delighte

he

rufull noyse,

he

the

enjoyeth his libertie,

swifte, plyante,and merrie.
and

when
gastefull
He

another.

falleth

and

hathe

prowde thereof,

were,

of

In

he

mouthe.

high places,and

moste

therewith.
it

he

that

shyninge lighte

the

eyne.

body,

that
and

also

lined.

and

and

myse

adds

leoparde, and
Crett,

beaste

darkness

nighte by
of

to

^^

slye and wittie, and

sharply,that he over-

commeth

of

as

enimie

rattes."

Qs^

in

of Perth."

Maid

Fair

"

in the

Kay,

showed

cat-a-mountain

the

uneth
a

and

on

is

his

cruel

feet

owne

(scarce)is

fayresldnne,
then

he

he

he

goeth

hurte

is,as
fast

scene."

Childebert, King of France,

in token

of his

having

CREATURES
of

captiveGondomar

taken

of

device

or
tiger-cat

between

"

professesto help
by describing

it

famous
d'Or

Bold's

of De

envoy

looking

cat

the

Charles

unhappy

as

Toison

and

the

grating or

recalls the

This

when

the

assumed

behind

ounce

Sanglier Rouge

Quentin Durward/'

207

Bourgogne,

troillis,
gules cloui argent.
scene

ART

IN

jester

la Marck

of

out

in

dairy

window.
The

in

possessed of ingratitude;
and

of

race

the

favourite

form

called
have

cat

The

in

of

lying at

her

as

cat

sacred

with
dorus

No

as

cat^

form

us

was

by

The

of

London

held

the
a

to

to

animal

is so

great

in veneration

human

by

body

and
killed

Review

excited
^*

says

The

the

enemy

cat
to

Egyptians

head.

Dio-

Egyptians punished
thus

sented
repre-

cat,

Egyptian tradition,Diana

cup

deityis

cat's

an

the

This

Bubastis.

that whoever

cat, and

Roman

represented as holding a

goddess

the

The

sceptre in the other,and

feet.

tells

According

said

were

"

broken

was

to

superstitiously

was

witches

Hence

Liberty was

all constrdnt

The

cat, it

symbol of liberty.

yf

hand,

one

Satan's

their familiar.

as

Cat

goddess

black

familiar."

*^a
a

was

game."

superstition that

mediaeval

From

old

destroying the

small

other

and

rats

certain
un-

that/' say

*^

for

writers, **it is only calculated

obnoxious

as

friendship so

in its nature,

vicious

so

its

considered

is

domesticated,

though

cat,

by

even

death.

with

assumed

fury of

the

dent,
acci-

the

giants.

Egyptiansworshipped

FICTITIOUS

2o8
the
is

cat

as

In

faced like the

spot

each

gorged with
spots^
The

one.

also

the

of De

^NBAS.

demi

collar

cats, and

"

and

wa"ng

representedfull-

be

cats-a-mountain

with

and

ermine

an

charged

with

of Clanricarde

Earl

of the

of

Earl

the

was

wild

are

Belmore.

It

lion's,

all its tawny

bars,

falchion,like Orion's,
Was

A
No

brazen

wild

It spat with
And

in the

Immortal
Now

in the

How

But
A

stars.

overwhelm

in the

like

rode

terror

could

When

golden

loftyhelmet

sword

For

with

gemmed
his

Upon

ermine

Burgh.

With

in

gardant^azure

cat-a-mountain

of the

mantle

His

body

gardant^

^Tibbets.

those

His

passant

the

on

gemel^

"

supporters

crest

always

charged

and

two

the

leopard.

Crest

or.

it should

three

pale azure^

and

night goddess/'

heraldry

Erminois

the dilation

orb, symbolical of

its

of the

waning

from

but

it

because

only

not

moon,

after sunset,

of

contraction

of the

symbol

active

more

SYMBOLIC

AND

it

fightit glowed.
brindled,

cat

eyes

battle
rage

on

fire.

kindled
and

sunshine

ire.

sleeping.

gently it reposed ;

still in wisdom

singleeye

keeping

unclosed."

^ueen Dide^ by

T.

S.

is

CREATURES

The

The
with

Crowned

salamander
certain

has

fabulous

IN

SaUmander

been

ART

of Fnucit

209

I"

credited

immemorially
Less

powers.

than

century

ago

the

creature

seriouslydescribed

was

'^spottedlizard, which
fire.**

Divested
harmless

of

will

endure

the

as

flames

its

supernatural powers

little

^*

of

it is
*'

newt
amphibian of the
family,from six to eightinches in length,with black
skin and yellow spots.
The
skin was
long thought
be
to
poisonous, though it is in realityperfectly
harmless
but the moist
surface is so
extremely
;
cold to the touch
that,from this peculiarqualityin
have arisen,not only that
the creature, the idea must
it could withstand
it was
exposed,
any heat to which

simply

but it would

This

was

subdue and put out fire.

actually
the time
a widespread belief long before
Q

FICTITIOUS

2IO

of

Pliny,whose

*'

subjectwith

of

the

the

curt

it could

be

with

not

of

This,"

""

times

several
after

taken

true

fine

or

salamander

nonsense."
there

or
was

is

of the

He

found

as

he

actually

of

the

mander.
sala-

"

say,

have

it red-hot, and

made

his readers

assures

nothing but
*^

tells of

all the

; and

wool

was

so

we

**

arrive

nothing but

It is easy

to

'^salamanders'

see

stance
sub-

being fabulous
in Tartary,

rest

mountain

that the

incombustible

an

thereabouts," in which

ancients.
known

on

in the earth,

this salamander's

reality,

hair/'

downy

further

Polo

its

that

to

on

goes

period,

which, being cold, yet rem^eth

out;

found

"

later

down

put in the fire and

perfectwool,
Marco

he

knows

live in fire/*

to

states
or

dismisses

he

greater credulity,stoutly maintains

in

in the,

Everybody

^*

somewhat

and

seen

believer

nature

describingthe creature
of
the hair
possessed some
and

things

remark,

writer

teUs

who
traveller,

salamander, for

animal's

no

expire.**

wonderful

and

earlyheraldic

An

flames

journeyings,was

stories

fabulous

that

the very

make

strange

of in his

phrased
para-

fire,

it in the

Polo, the earlyVenetian

many

the

extremely cold

is

that, put

'Twill

Marco

is thus

creature

by Pliny told

are

we

serpent

So cold

heard

the

Further,
This

of

of

account

Swift

by

SYMBOLIC

AND

"

vein
at

the

of

mander
Sala-

fact that

the *^asbestos"

why

wool."

asbestos
The

came
be-

name

CREATURES
from

resulted
how

IN

of

the

lizard

beUef

the

was

tribe

in

shows

known

are

tells us
to

said to revel in hot

are
alligators
member
only that an insignificant

and

warmth,
It needed

should

genus

of

embers

of

been

have
fire

the

to

found
at

prove

reptileand

of

the

dead

ability
invulner-

the

once

enjoy
water.

the

among

mander's
sala-

the

late writer

mysterious powers.
some

211

juxtapositionof ideas, and

the

deeply impressed

that

ART

abilityto extinguishthe

its

flames.
The

of

salamander
in the

creature

mediaeval
of

shape

superstitionwas
lived

which

man,

in fire

(Greek,salambeander, chimney-man), meaning a man

It was
described
that lives in a chimney.
by the
ancients

bred

as

which

element

lifis.

Pliny

seeks

the
the

with
he

tried

existingin flames,
inevitablyprove destructive

must

it

describes

hottest

fire

the

Nazianzen

St.

hyacinth and

states, is unafiFected

which

the

triumphs
"

us

was

over

Natund

salamander

does.

symbols
the

the

compares
The

by fire,and

salamander

hyacinth were

tells

creature

the

salamander.

the

he

and

that

says

Epiphanius

the

the

He

delightedin flames, but

in and

of

as

the

it

quenches

body."
but

of

lizard which

in, but

its

once,

of

an

powder.*

to

fire.

sort

breed

to

experiment

Gregory of
not
only lived

it

**

as

of
frigidity

extreme

reduced

soon

fire and

by

ardour

'*

of

will
The

guished
extin-

virtues

hyacinth,

even

guish
extin-

salamander

enduring fiuth,
of

the

x.
History,**
67, xxix.

4.

passions.

FICTITIOUS

212

Submitted

fire the

to

becomes

Portal,

may

of

symbol

**a

hyacinth

We

white.

SYMBOLIC

AND

and

is discoloured

perceive,"says M.
enduring and triumphant
here

faith."
This
a

small

wingless dragon

breathingforth

and

somewhat

Salamander

golden

of

treat

is

noble

who

died

1483

Douglat.

From

the

of

Order

the

Tinctured

a.d.

of

crest

garter-plate.

Douglas, K.G.,

into

it is the

flames* proper

of

of

elected

flames.

represented on

so

Earl

it is represented

Sometimes

dog breathing

Jamea" Barl

salamander

Scottish

or

generallyrepresentedas
lizard, surrounded
by

flames.

like

plate of James,
and

is

imaginary creature

garter-

the

the

first

Garter,
and

veri;

in

Earl

of

badge

the

Douglas,

Angus.
Francois
salamander
"

Nutrisco

").
was

France

in the

midst

et

The

borrowed
*'

reo
**

I. of

Fire

of

extinguo
Italian
was,

"

adopted
**

as

his

flames, with

(" I

nourish

from

motto

Nudrisco

the

legend,

and

guish
extin-

which

il buono

this
e

and

extinguishthe

purifiesgood metal,

but

consumes

nourish

In his castle of

the

Chambord,

the

of
galleries

il

spengo

good

(**I

l^end
bad ;

rubbish
the

"

*').

Palace

'

CREATURES

of Fontainebleau, and

with

Azure^

the

the

The

lizards

motto,

"

The
that

brave

Fire

the

mander,
sala-

everywhere

seen.

flames proper^

is

familyof

the

of

crest

the

the

Cennio.
mongers'
Iron-

the

for salamanders
in

company

1483,

to

salamander

the

of

the

the ancients

the

fire of

consume.

the

represent

eagle, Air

was

the

that

courage

generous

said

be

crowned

lizards.

as

destroy or
symbolism

animal
may

of

old seal

and

affliction cannot
In the

the

of
signification

heraldic

of

of

Thoroulde

probably intended

were

blazoned

now

are

Bourg

Italian

form

which

the

on

in

or^

213

St.

be

may

of the

shield

G)mpany,
but

device

salamander

charge on
"

the Hotel

this favourite

Rouen,

at

ART

IN

lion.

mander
salaof

element

Earth

the

dolphin. Water.

?i|etaUitcAntelope
fictitious animal,

This

has

like

body
a

serrated

head

like

horns, and

his nose,

and

like

the

of

row
on

representedit
is also borne
old

of
the

his

tail,chest

the

in modern

real

or

coats

heralds, with

and

heraldic

an

natural

of

their

corn,
uni-

tiger,with
from

back

the

heraldry,

tail of

stag, the

growing

tufts down

in

depicted

heraldic

tusk

is termed

it from

The

that

when

of

the

two

tip of

his neck,

thighs. Thus
tinguish
antelope to disantelope,which

arms.

scant

knowledge

of

FICTITIOUS

214
the

antelope as
in

of

kinds

rarer

foreign animals, represented the

of

fierce beast

and

appearance

small- limbed

in

gentle
That

acquainted.

the

Queen

of

time
**

the

wild

Amongst
"

than

more

of whom
^*

he
Wild
The

beasts

match

subdues
beasts

the

was

Spenser

^^

totallyunlike

and

we

prevailingopinion

is evident.
Sir

stout

from

most

"

wild,
laws

of

exiled.**

man

ferocious

brutes,all

yokes

spotted panther, and

he would
the

Faerie

"

woods

for the

the

In

Satyrane

manners

in iron

are

Antelope.

In life and
and

beautiful

the
which

with

creature

such

he makes

prey,

disposition to

Heraldic

in

SYMBOLIC

AND

tuskid

compel
boar

pardale swift,^nd

the

tigercruel,

The

antelopeand wolf,

both

fierce and

And

them

authorities

of

House

horns

serrated

but

be

fell ;

draw."

antelopewith

ancient

of

badge

with

represented

was

the
two

backward.
heraldic

*^

term

unless

used

to

heraldic

the

as

it

curving

blazon, the

always

the

give

Lancaster

equal team

in

constrain

straighthorns,

In

215

The

Some
two

ART

IN

CREATURES

the

antelope'*should

natural

antelope

is

intended.

heraldic

imaginarybeast resemblingthe

is an

with

in appearance,

from
which

his

like

would

it

Perhaps

with

identical

horns

jecting
pro-

saw.

be

not

consider

to

erroneous

the

forehead,

serrated

are

exception of

the

antelope

it

heraldic

the

antelope.
The
is

real

native

of

hunters.
but

the

in

Alps,

the

defiance

It resembles
horns

full of knots,

are
one

the

Grecian

where

mountains,
abound

the

and

Pyren^s

ibex

natural

or

much

they
of
a

the

The

Heraldic

Ibex.

goat,

larger,bent backwards,

of which

is added

every

year.

and

AND

FICTITIOUS

2i6

SYMBOLIC

iSagtogn
A

of

t^l

the

having

like

beast

FABULOUS

horse,

of

arms

of

horns

goat

of

supporter

the

Westminster

in

Hundson,

but

antelope,

long

dexter

Lord

Carey,

is

Abbey,

and

The

backwards.

curved

heraldic

the

Bagwyn.

^f)e (KTamelopatti^ aTameUleoparH

The

Giraffe

these

names.

camel

and

half

for

name

Trench,

'*a

by

the

of

the

the

by

in

curious

Romans

when

**

It

yet

wishing to

proportions

of

called

parJ.'' They

of

the

comely with

it

"

half

find

Archbishop

is," says

some

as

tion
word-combina-

combining, though

grace,

under

blazon

heralds

old

giraflle.

creature

more

even

leopard.

the

times

is described

It

made

was

few

figures a

finitely
in-

with

and

height

spotted skin

the

camelopardus,'*

the

camel-panther.
There
above

are

which

the

Allocamelus

the

camel

two
are

two

long

to

in

heraldic

to

which

the

head

is like

curved

of
the

an

works,

ass

viz.,

body
;

and

camdopard,

backwards.

the

upon

ass*camel, having the

or

horns

based

creatures

referred

conjoined

Camslopardsl,
with

heraldic

of
the

but

IN

animal

mentioned

FICTITIOUS

It

others.

head

horns

and

but

that

goats

mentioned

said

be

to

of

beast,

ram^

horns

is

also

Guillim's

in

Display,**

where

bigenerous

creation,
protween
be-

engendered
like

the

goat,

and

goat

Tityrus,
of

ram,

the

sheep

noted

as

imaginary

fox^ chest of

of a
as

lion

the

KeHy.

spring
offand

Titxrui.

Miuimon,

by Upton.

W^z
An

is

it

unkindly

and

Guillim

by

fair of

It

horns.

217

the

the

beast,

ART

sembles
re-

with

of

besides

has

of

nearly

goat^

**

CREATURES

hybrid

IBnfieUi
animal

greyhound^

the hind

crest

of

some

talons

legs and
Irish

tail

with

of an
of

head

the

families

eagle

of
and

wolf
of

the

It
name

body

occurs

of

21

FICTITIOUS

SYMBOLIC

AND

Mantfgre

Satjrrtl.

"

i^anttger, iStontegre

i^anticora

or

S^atgral
A

having
the

the

an

and

ox,

The

old

an

the

Satyral

is

mediaeval

heraldic

an

with

man

authorities

heraldic

of

of

body

of

head

of

crcature

CHIMERICAL

feet like

tiger with

horns

like

more

and

mane,

long spiralhorns.

the

make

invention,

Some
those

dragon's.

apparentlyidentical

with

the

man-

tiger.
The

belief that

assuming
and
an
man.

the

the

shape

Khonds

incarnation

certain

say

of

persons

the

that

of the Earth's

It is thus

with

the

have

the power

of

in India,
tigeris common
man-killingtigeris either
goddess or a transfigured

Lavas

of

Birma, supposed

CREATURES
the

be

to

and

Two

219

of

remains

broken-down

dreaded

ART

IN

cultured

race

man-tigers.^

as

the

satyrals supported

of

the

Lords

Earl

of

ingdon
Hunt-

arms

Stawell.
The

of the

supporters

of

arms

mantigers, but

are

the

represented without

are

horns.
From
and

mediaeval

Bestiaria

**

illustration of

\ (manticora),evolved
tale.

Itold

it

that
the

I among
a

like

like

like

and

we

minds

after

without

^^^ \S"

ears

tail like

^
a

appear

therefore

in

his

tail

that
he

is

*^his

Bettiaria.

voice

is

wild,"

"

very

bruised, he

fictitious

credulous

classed
*

that

certain

be

modern
be

and

other

little need

these

ancient

can

be

danger.

believe
our

From

Manticora.

sting

having

several

are

of

traveller's

some

has

trumpet,"

may

name

are

and

"with

small

There

this

roughness

man's,

that

tamed

Of

from

sharp-pointed quills,"and

and

of

teeth, in

lion's,face

scorpion's

if

of

description

"bred

is

and

'bigness

We

have

creature

doubt

no

Indians/'

triple row

we

gruesome

\ marvellous

"

said, as
on

extinct

as
"

Primitive

which,

writers, excited

wonder-loving

works

Tyler's

old

creatures,

forefathers.

they rarely,if
heraldry,

monsters.

Culture."

the

and

ever,

may

FICTITIOUS

220

Lamia
A

of which

we

Emipusa

or

of

creature

CURIOUS

imaginationis

the

the lamia,

fictitious stories.

told many

are

SYMBOLIC

AND

swiftest

"the

be

to

It is said

four-footed

of

all
that

creatures,

it is very

and

treacherous

cruel

to

bred

be

to

in

sometimes
umu.

in

having

as

of

body

feet

hind
the

the

four-footed

Hebrew

In Dr.

Lamia
the

from

^*

female

Greeks

and

Jupiter,but

robbed

consequence

she

are

she

**

Romans

"

the

thought to

be
in

is mentioned

as

then
and

Phrase

children

Philemon,"

to

children^

beloved

by Juno

and

them.
a

used

was

murder.''

spectres of Africa, who

devoured

Fable,*'

; and

by
in

agidnstall children,

vengeance
entice

and

name

bugbear
Lybian Queen
as

of her

vowed

again described
Machates

and

xxxiv., called

whose

phantom

delighted to

strangers and

"Bestiaria"

which

of
**Dictionary

the classic fable of

whom

represented

iv/'

Brewer's
is

own

flowing tail,the

It is

same

and

its

woman,

Isaiah

in

Lilith^as also the

with

hoofs.

divided

in Lamentations

by

animal

mentioned

creature

of

breasts

and

head

having

It is

ancient

an

is stated

Lybia,

devours

young/'

Fn"moidBe,ti.ry.

It

men.

young

In
man

the

They
attracted

story of
is rcpre-

CREATURES
sented

Beyond
not

appear

casual
in

ART

from

221

who

borrowed
**

of Corinth

Bride

"mpusa,

an

Goethe

night.

at
**

marrying

as

IN

his blood

sucks

of

ballad

his

the

this tale.

mention

this

does

m}rthicalcreature

heraldry.

Baphomet
A

female, the
as

an

of the

rest

idol

now

said to

is

mentioned

be

and
used

in

Templars

word

in British

appear

the

by

The

Though

Mahomet.

heads^ male

two

body female

symbol

or

mysterious rites.

not

having

creature

FICTITIOUS

their

corruption

in old works

of

it does

heraldry.

Apres
A

animal

FICTITIOUS

tail like that of

of the

of the

arms

resemblinga bull,with

bear.

It is the

of

Company

short

sinister supporter
Merchants.

Muscoyy

Stelliones
The
London
of

of

supporters

similar

shape

'*

"

evidently in allusion
beaste

like

3ossewell

Stelliones
to

of

Ironmongers* Company

lizards.

two

are

the

steel.

lysard,having

on

describes

**

he

as

He

terms
"

says,

his

back

with

the

beasts

them,

Stellio is

spotts

like

starres."*
a
Stellione-serpent,
serpent

weasel, borne

by
*

the

of Baume.

name

Armorie

of

Honour, 62.

head

of

iTittttiottft"reature"

of

tje %m

INTRODUCTORY

NOTES

The

sea^

heafid

up

"

world

of

waters

Rke

Rotting
Horrible^

Udeous^

kigh^

on

wilderness^

wild

in

mountMns

with

roaring

is

tkat

hoarse

cry

"

Spinsbr.
**/

caU

can

the

spiritsfrom

deepP

vasty

Shakkspbahi.

fears,

superstitious
deep

great
dreadful

with

Classic
allotted

the

to

whose

capricious

failed

to

calms

dangers
monstrous

created.

ruling

of

storms,
the
and

The

its

of

Their
in

most

fantastic
active

the

and

kind,

appalling

forces

which
of

nature

to

of

habit.
in-

imagery
lesser

and

element,

watery

altogether

man

fancied

the

regions

wealth

waves

darkness

shapes

of

supposed

the

most

wonderful

more

greater

of

of

the

unknown

were

government

of

because

in

hierarchy

comprehend.
and

they

mythology

whole

divinities

in

which

depths

sea

the

peopled

beings

and

mysterious
the

have

all the

kind,

to

prone

ages,

indescribable

and

in

all

in

[ARINERS

begot

terrors,
in

fogs,

assumed
their

those

own

in

midst

fears
unusual

226

FICTITIOUS

forms

SYMBOLIC

AND

impressed them

of

result

the

as

supernatural

the

"meddling of the gods/* whose

favours
and
protection the mariner, by prayers and
endeavoured
whikt
to propitiate
supplications,
; and
or

agency,

skirts the horizon's

tremblinglyhe

dangers impel

new

giftsto
or

other

The

national

with

face and

the

fish.

It

adopt

god

god

natural

his

name

the

darkly

yet had

Azotus, drouled

in

Accaron

and

leviathan

indicated

Gaza's

his

certain

in

great

sea-serpent of
to

rest

and

of

; there

of

the

the

i. 462.

Scripture are

great deep.
all bold

rife

with

myth

belief
lingering

dinavian
Scan-

maritime

legends

The

sea.

popular legend is
is still a

Lost^Book

that of

of

monsters

coast

frontier bounds."

times, is

old

the

Ascalon,

behemoth

monsters

man

temple high

through

and

mythology, like
peoples

tail of

the

upward

Paradise

In

was

seafaring
people should

sea-monster,

Palestine,in Grath

And

spiteful.
represented

more

and

man

that

fish

downward

Reared
Of

of

god

of that form.

Dagon
And

or

of the Philistines

hands

but

was

of his angry

mood

equallypowerful

tures,
ven-

promises of greater

to

the wrathful

assuage

some

him

in timid

edge

kraken
not

of
or

yet laid

in the existence

of the mermaid.

With

comb

and

glassin

With

comb

and

glassin

her
her

hand,

her

hand,

her

hand.**

Popular

sea-song.

hand.

CREATURES
Chief

IN

the

amongst

Grecian

PoseidoHy or

Neptune

the potent

ruler of the seas/'

in

**

Olympus,

but

at

he

as

is

with

called

was

the

He

rudder

usuallydwelt, not

ficent
magni-

of

neighbourhood

lEgdt.

trident, sometimes

of his power

specialsymbols

"

stands

the Romans,

by

of the sea, in

always represented with

217

sea-divinities

the bottom

golden palace in
He

ART

the

over

Accompanied by his wife, fair Amphitrite, he

was
frequentlypictured in royalstate in his chariot,
drawn
billows
sea-horses,
by wild
through the
sea.

attended

by

Triton

*'

blowing loud his

godlike shepherd of

horn,** Proteus, "the

followers

and

other

and

showing

high arched

their

backs

in

sea,"

the

the

dolphins leaping

"

wreathed

waves

wild

gam*

bolings.
Nereus

dwelt

in

caves

sea-nymphs,

"

their

and
it

fiftydaughters,the Nereides^

and

grottos of the

win

the

hearts

sports and

merry

assistance
his

his

and

dances,
of

in the hour

of

ocean

their

by

now

Whilst

danger.

beneficent

"

sailors,now

the

world

the

conditions.

dangers

and

strange
were

of

the

s'dver

rocks,

of

wonders,

The

storm

the

deep

under

its

and

all the

winds
were

Not

Sirens^ fatal sisters,who

waves

and

their

enchanting voices,save

men

only

and

present
terrible

more

and

terrors

various

the least dreaded

**

o*er

spread

golden hair,** basked

liired all

timely
its calm

typified under

peculiarforms.

by

Nereus

lovely daughters represent the sea under

pleasantaspect, Thaumas, Phorcys, Ceto
as

who

near

the

sunlit

to

their

the

craftyUlysses.

ruin

by

their

and

These

the

of

lesser

rest, make

up

the

the

that govern

ences

wonderful

Many

old

times

are

iudge

to

the

what

embody

in

extant

our

life and

common

influ*

classic writers

by

relics

and

innumerable

the

conceptions

the

we

beliefs of

the

of

may

influenced

ideas

such

extent

formed

which

by

museums,

large

discordant

told

are

myths,

which

Proteus,

note,

element

watery

stories

concerning these
antique art

SYMBOLIC

others

many

and

Glaucus

of

AND

FICTITIOUS

228

ancient

peoples.
It is also

and

sea-deities
element

other

by

which

refer

brieflyto

rivers

referred

to

Mediaeval

.wonderful

their

proper

necessary

respecting
their

each

which

will

them.

sonation
imper-

be

found

in classic story.

legend

is

of

Nature's

equally rife

of the

superstitionfor

Particular

old-world

be

will

had

them,

to

for

that

his form

accompanied*
these

ideas

fountains

and

the

imagination will
as

ancient

creatures

constitution

long

of

the

with

by

was

it
signification

to

peculiar

of

he

heraldry repeats many

new-coined
fables,so

understanding and

form

known

was

what

various

identifythe

to

creatures

attributes

in

note

to

mythical
Each

as

Lakes,

sought

in.

Modern

myths

observation

lived

they

the

or

ancients

the

manner

of

worthy

mind

deceive
laws

are

harbour

even

the

of

accounts

of

change

alters

another

one

little the

but

fears, and

wisest

and

the

best

so

misunderstood.

whirlpools,rocks

are
places to navigation,

The

sea.

to

with

and

other

personated under

dangerous
the

forms

CREATURES
of

of

monsters

the

"

The

between
one

yellof watery

Charybdis

often

feigned
existence.

It

feared

by

hear."

who

tried to

to

avoid

ancients
for

account

Jupiter

who

noise

of

whirlpool,the

The

lie

their

changed Scylla into

and

monster,

which

rocks

other.

the

on

Circe

was

into

to

two

are

wrecked

frightfulsea
Charybdis

wolves

interestinglegend

an

shapes

Sicily. Ships which

Italyand

were

awful

229

dreads

loud

Scylla and

and

various

who

mariner,

ART

IN

changed
which

was

barking of dogs ; and the monster

therefore represented with
dogs amidst
savage
scalyfolds,and loudly baying.

likened
was

her

Far

to

the

loud

on

the

right her dogs

the

Charybdis roaring on
And

Then
The
But
The

Then

left

them

spouts

mount

sinking vessel

in her

the

on

wash

den- with

her

Scylla from
dashes

and

up,

virgin bosom

hides her

Her

parts obscene

below

dogs enclosed, and

with

tides,

fury driven

the

face of heaven.

jaws

draws
human

face

tail'sdisgrace;

the
in

the

open

eddy

rocks.

presides,

below

from

And

With

Scyllahides

greedy whirlpool sucks

in her

waves

foul

waves
a

descend,

dolphin end."
Mneid^ Book

Homer
the

rocks
*^

Now
We

givesa
and

descriptionof Ulysses passing

whirlpools :

through
bend

vivid

iii.

our

the

rocks, appall'd with

course,

and

stem

the

deep dismay.

desperate way

FICTITIOUS

230
Dire

Scyllathere

And

here

When

And

She

drains

The

rock

Deep,

o'er the

rocks

rebellows

with

plain.

sea

main

the

giants and

armed
fearfully
terrible

so

clothed

or

aspect

an

the cuttlefish

which

refluent tides

the

appears

are

with

tenacious

the

ground.**
Book

were

itself from
of

size

enormous

thick

as

fearful and

so

as

man's

tenacityof grip in

deity much

in

are

allusion

venerated
the

Amongst
few

adhere

more

staring

furnished

with

unrelenting

swiftlytwined
to

disengage
pods
Cephalo-

found

sometimes

thigh.

round

Homer

refers

with
its

to

simile.

cuttlefish appears

Coressus,

to

race

belongs. Eminently

fatal embrace.

are

so

fiction with

the wildest

vainlystrives
so

xii.

never

fierce; beneath

are

which

strugglingprey,

there

and

arms

cephalopods, the

suckers, which

and
pertinacity,

The

by

octopus

or

spread eight strong fleshyarms

eyes

arms

romance

the

as

carnivorous, voracious

the

of

ogres

subsides.

Odjsuy^
The

thundering sound

deep, below

wondrous

waves

raise.

fieryblaze

the

caves,

boil the

she spouts

with

ocean

storms.

confusion

gulisthe rushing

the

with

rumbling

the aCrial

the

across

in her

her

wild

obscure

mists

high

When

foam,

bubbling

water

Eternal

from

forms

roars, tumultuous

rock

toss, they

Like

of horror

scene

tide rushes

rough

They

Charybdisfillsthe deep

the

The

SYMBOLIC

AND

to
as

veritable

upon
the

ancient

Greek

of

coins

worship of Neptune,

the protector

inhabitants

of this island.
of

extraordinarymammals

the

ocean

than

the

CREATURES

IN

sea-unicorn, Monodon
Arctic

the

His

snout.

thirty feet

to

from

about

increased

length is

231

the beaked

monoceros^

twenty

seas,

ART
whale

of

stern

to

eight feet by

of the purest
tusk
twisted
magnificentspirally
ivory, which in realityis simply the canine tooth
his

of the upper

growing straightout
of

royaltreasures
'*

of

Castle

the

**

strange fish

thorny fishes,and
The

himself

between

of
a

His

ray.

the

and

shark

is

this

in

the

the

largest of

the

the

underside

It is well

known

as

like

Polynesian islanders, and,

Xiphias, is frequentlyfound

of

mackerel

by

has

the

gillopenings
the Xiphias, is

double-edged and

is

but

snout,

He

sharks.

like the sword

saw,

or

antiquorum^ ranks

and

rays

long flattened bony

serrated.

of

belief

the scombers

belongsto

sawfish, PrisHs

long body of

of

throne

horn

the

up

the

mythical unicorn.

Xiphias gladiusy swordfish,

group.

is the

Rosenberg. It
which
has kept

of the

existence

narwhal

is the

Denmark

of

One

jaw.

weapon
the

sword
in

buried

the

among

the

of

the
of

hulls

ocean-goingships.
There
the

the
of

of sea-horse

name

other
our

the

of

denizens

two

are

"

mighty

the

one

the

bear

tiny Hippocampus,
The

walrus.

public aquariums,

deep which

hippocampus

bony pipefishsome

six

eight inches in length, swimming upright, his

favourite
position in the water, with the general
or

resemblance

of his

striking; anchored
tsuls

they dart

on

head
to

to

the

their prey

that

of

seaweed

with

horse, is very
stems

by their

great quickness.

FICTITIOUS

232

Hippocampus
a

The

dolphin.
The

of

rosmarus

sometimes
which

life

Many

small

are

the

determinedly

walrus

had

has

the

front

part of

length
"

^tusks

commercial

our

of the chase

of

fightsfor his
hunted
by man.
any animal
honour
assigned to it also of

as

and

mermaid,
of

head

human
head

straight out

of

of

teeth,

the walrus

might easilybe taken

it
face,especially
as

tusks

in

stories
thrilling

the

the

canine

huge

amount

the

being the originalof

^the Ross-

"

twenty feet long, or

or

with

armed

no

of

Scandinavians, the Trichecus

sea-horses, for

great

as

The

and

two

being that

walrus

or

measuring thirtyinches

furnish

ivory.

North,

science, is fifteen

longer,

even

the

coilinghorse/'

"

the

only

quarter

means

of

; Kofom^campe^

had

Neptune,

of the

Morse

or

these

word

Sea-horse

mareus

of

steed

horse, the hinder

horse

hippos^a
(Tinrocy

bending),the

forelegsof

SYMBOLIC

AND

the

at

has

young

without

one

for

little distance
habit

to

water

Scoresby says

of

look

raisingits
passing

at

ships.
The

manatee,
and

coasts

or

found

sea-cow,

of Africa

streams

and

on

the

tropical
is called

America,

womanSpaniards the
Portuguese and
its supposed close
resemblance.
Its
fish," from
the flipperresembling a
from
comes
English name

the

by

hand

human
to

^*

"

manus

in

Royal Aquarium

very

as

of

One

its breast.

mermaid

"

one

idea
startling

this

1878,

could

which

with

it holds

its

species,which
was

as

unlike

died
the

young
at

typical

possiblyimagine, giving one

of the

difference

between

the

romance

CREATURES

reality; but

and

haunts, and

if it

at some

seen

ART

IN

observed

little

distance,and

Sir

James

Dugong^
rude

approach

while
one

suddenly dives

she

probablygiven rise

has

Seals

from

differ

of the feet included

toes

armed

with

of

varieties

many

the

comes

noisy

from

called

his

curious

widdellii)^and

the

ursinus), whose
him

enable

are

the

Common

are

stand

to

of

Har"

"

skins

several
the

or
so

other

Crested

"ristatus\and

the

**

walk

the

Kamchatka

**

{Leptonyx
(the Etocephalus

shore.

on
a

commercial-

But

the

sense*

the

which
{Phoca vitulind)^
to

of
species,
or

so

bourhood
neigh-

same

(Phoca Granlandica) and

valuable

Bearded

fins

better-developedlimbs

and

Sea-dog

Seal,

the

Sea-bear*'

seals^in
**

the

mon
com-

Of

"Sea-leopard"

and

the

Seal

Seal,

yield the
are

larger

important

most

**

throws

in

claws.

In

if

{Otaria jubata\

mane.

the

get

we

"

Sea-lion

"

arm

broad

family,from

seal

the

with

having

into

non-retractile

strong

mermaids.

in

them

integument, converting

has

he says, which

the end

to

the

mother

and

water

animals

almost

of

infant in her

under

all other

form.

breast

the tales about

to

asserted,

the

her

to

It is this creature,

fish-like tail.

her

it

only

its head

says

outline, and

human

the

to

then

speaking

cetacean,

sucklingher young holds

holds an
as
a woman
flipper,

disturbed
up

herbivorous

an

native

the human

to

Tennent,

Emerson

its

have

some

strikingresemblance

very

in

Was

by glimpses,it might possibly,

as
present

233

the

which

furrier.
the

Neistsersoak
Seal

most

There
known

{Stemmatopus

{Phoca barbatd).

Apart from

legendsof

mermaid,

in

superstitionand

In

Shetland

is

of

is

every

these

induced

skins

they

to

of

followed

by

in

immense

an

this account
the

received

Asia

{Phoke)j

Greek

the

well

known

as

obtain

to

the

the

by

question, the

period,most

coin

the

of

the

Christian

Luigi (+1598), brother

had

for device
"

""

seal

Coin

badge

of the

city

the Phoceans

States, and
writers.

legend
the

middle

are

**Thus

Humphreys,*
of

also

of the

"

swarm

emigration
of the

we

in

earliest
seventh

era.**
to

asleep upon

Collector's

was

^tMcii

they

being evidently of the

probably

before

ancient

epoch

remote

or

Noel

it

from

seal,and

Greek

of the

corroboration
the

seals,and

gold piecesof

among

expeditions

Phocea,

type

singlecoin,**says

of seals,of

century

the

The

frequently referred
from

of

ships of

the

citythey founded

the

of

name
name

adopted that animal

their coinage.
upon
were

that

their

the water.

their
of

they

recover

relates that

number

mortals,

as

they

on

oflF

seals cast

Sometimes

again to

were

stroyer
deFaroe

the

In

ever

themselves

colonists

probably on

if

Byzantium

Greek

certsun

unfortunate

the

the sands.

but

marry,

betake

Stephen

sellde,a fallen

creatures.

on

accoimt.

own

that the
superstition
ninth night and appear

dancing until daybreak

are

follow

to

of

its

on

hafF-fish,'*
or

**

to

distinguished
position

mythology

sure

one

Islands there
their skins

it has

it is the

spirit. Evil

rise

having possiblyg^ven

seal

the

the

SYMBOLIC

AND

FICTITIOUS

234

the

Duke

rock

of
in

Manual,*' Bohn.

Mantua,
troubled

CREATURES
sea, with

the motto

**Sic

seal, say the ancient

The
"

soundly,"
and

the

is

is no

rough

livingcreature
therefore

"

the

of the

seal goes

**

monsters

great

sea
"

such

**

aspects

of

all

rocks

the

of the

storm.'*

of

the

the

tions
concep-

crowning

here refers

He

might fear

self

see."
^

whales
Spring-headedhydras,and sea-shouldering
all fishes make

whirlpools,which

Great

Bright scolopendras armM

Mighty

fish that hath

The

dreadful

Of

death, and

like him

The

grislywasserman,

The

flyingships with

The

horrible

His

No

All

these,and
more

thousand

deformed

Book

^an^
ix. ch.

shew
storm

eschew
inform

visagesdeform

thousand

monsters,
Faerii

"

with

hue

pursue

of greatest

mariners

rose-marines

greedy

name

his game

to

rocks^ as travellers

less than

And

And

swiftness

sea^satyr that doth

Ziffius,whom

the

in dreadful

that makes

fearful face in time

Huge

deserved

looks

tails ;

unmeasured

with

monoceroses

silver scales

with

flee ;

to

many

more

thousandfold."
Book

13.

\u

to

horrible

and

ugly shapes

Nature's

Dame

as

arise

upon

many

Knight Guyon.

belt of

storms

descriptionof

in the

adventures

by lightning.

sleepethmore

when

sleepsin safetyunconscious

of his time

I "). The

struck

never

poet Spenser embodies

The

235

Augustus always wore

Pliny,*

says

sea

it

where

There

ART

quicsco"(**Sorest

writers,is

Emperor

seal-skin.

IN

cant.

xii.

to

FICTITIOUS

236
The

heralds

early

dreadful

creatures

mariners

or

their

tribe

of

marine

to

the

monsters

with

sea

of

animals

creatures,

fearful

from

belief in the

because

or

of

of the land

they used

certain

inhabitants

of

air to

or

the

of

compounds

"

qualities,
combining

attributes

those

mankind
either

"

types of

or

the

purpose

these

beyond such representations

appealed stronglyand clearly

sense

of such

emblems

as

as

land

and

existence

of

account

easilyimagined by

more

rarelyventured

universal

marine

little

took

"

SYMBOLIC

by poets than depicted by artists from

most
descriptions. The
imaginative of

vague

the

AND

them

for this
of

form

the
the

appropriatesymbol.
In

modern

they

or

reference

have

bearings

such

specialallusion

with

adopted
sea,

heraldry

actions

to

in

some

designationof the bearer, and

or
canting heraldry. Some

or

nautical
For

of

devices

the

usually
performed at
are

hence

name

termed

sive
allu-

towns

bear

maritime

fictitious

the

to

way

referred

kind

ta

instance,the City of Liverpoolhas for supporters

Neptune

with

Cambridge

trident,and

his

and

for supporters

to

of the

Many

their

city'sarms.

instances

national

"

sea

memorable

to

history ; indeed,
emblems

and

nobilityalso bear,

supporters, these mythical

many

Triton

Newcastle-on-Tyne

for sinister supporter

sea-horse

as

real and

heraldry.

islanders

mythical
"

have

and
enter

sea*horses

Belfast

has

the

also for crest.

either

creatures,
events

his horn.

with

in

as

arms

or

pointing in
their family

Britons,

marine

largelyinto

our

CREATURES

IN

ART

237

iPosetlionor j"eptune
Poseidon

Neptune,

or

sometimes
(Jupiter),

mythology

he

became

personality
;

the

of the

mighty
who

sea

upholds
the

earth, violent and

like

the

represents.
strikes

the

trident, the

ous
impetu-

element

he

When

he

with

sea

symbol

*)vereignty,
rise

waves
as

from

pest,

look

suffices

Poseidon

tem-

tune)
(Nep-

the

chief

seafaringGreeks.

prayers

to

^"*^'

naturally

was

regarded as

of

lence,
vio-

or

fiercest

his

the

with

word

him

allay the

the

with

circumscribes

his

the

distinct

powerful arms

and

wards
element, he after-

watery

his

heraldry,usually as

ally
origin-

was

symbol of

mere

ruler

in

appears

of Zeus

brother

younger

In the ancient

supporter.

the

before

patron
To

enteringon

him
a

""??**''"

and

""'^^"

tutelary deity

they

voyage,

^^ ^"~"

addressed

and

to

Him

of

their

they

FICTITIOUS

238

from

return

In
iv.

perilsof

the

deep.

episode of

the

**

the

famous

"

Queen

Faerie

safe

their

(Book

xi.)Spenser glowingly pictures the procession

""

of all the

ofFeringsin gratitude for

their

brought

SYMBOLIC

AND

First

His

locks did

dewy

Under

his diadem

Fair

Amphitrite,

As

robe, with

decked

rise and

them

fall ;

brine apace

with

covered

weren

her

silver

own

pearlswhich

with

coronal,

with

divinely"ir,

most

ivory shoulders

with

And

drop

his side his Queen

by

Whose

makes

mace^

imperial:

And

and

seas

his three-forked

with

great Neptune

came

rules the

That

their attendants

deities and

water

the

all.
hair.

Indian

for her

seas

prepare.**
of the Nereids

Amphitrite, his wife,one

art, is
woman,

and

represented
her

On

enthroned

ridingon
Examples.

of

his shield
a

slim

beautiful

and

fallinglooselyabout
from
all the other
distinguished

appears

to

hair

royal insignia.

or

as

on

ancient
the

Baron

"

of

the

Yorks,

"c.,

mighty triton,

bears

of

for

classic

supporters

personations
and

Admiral

renowned

1776.

created

The

dexter

the
she

gems

Baron

mander-in-C
Com-

of Tarton,

Hawke

supporter

the

of Great

of the Fleet, Vice-Admiral

Britain, "c.

by

symbolic character,granted for

remarkable

achievements

Hawke

aggroupment

an

deities

dolphin.

sea-horse,or

of

young

shoulders,

her

and

coins

back

in ancient

is

figure of

CREATURES
his mantle

Neptune^
eastern

crown
^

or^ his dexter

Sir Isaac

Argent

the

proper;

on

between

two

above

as

Sprung from the

God

by Solace* s

race

embrace.^*
Lusiad."

"

CamoSns,

made

the rocks to

roar

as

the

was

The

having
the

only

of

ton

Faerie

**

upper

lower

parts of the

parts

were

the

those

Queen/'

Sea

Deities.)

and

Neptune

poet Apollonius Rhodius

the

rent.**

they were

of
(Procession

while

wrecks all

pole-starof the first

high Neptunian

Spbnsbr,

as

ship's

giodijtriumph and great jolHrnent

That

trite.

Triton J^s trumpet shrill beforethem blew

For

Triton

of

stormy

Triton

*^

second.

or

who boasts his

f

of

crown

head

part of

the Arctic

of the
water-bougets

Triton

**

the

are

Armory":

issuingfrom

or^

waves

i^terman

trident

1762,

eastern

aft

chiefazure^

granted

grasping

the

an

Herald,

; Lancaster

with

headed

sinister hand

appearing

mast

sable

trident

holdinga

"General

crowned

with

dolphinproper.

arms,

Burke's

Neptune

goldyhis
ocean^

His

in

blazoned

crowned

sable^headea
of striking^

act

Somersetshire

Garter.

afterwards
thus

in the

Heard,

239

and

erect

arm

footon
restinghis left

and
y

ART

edged argent^

vert^

pointingdownwards
silver

IN

Amphi-

describes

body
of

of
a

him
man,

dolphin*

FICTITIOUS

240

poets and

Later

of

whole

AND
artists

of

race

SYMBOLIC

revelled

similar

in

the

conception

tritons,who

were

as

garded
re-

wanton,

tribe,

mischievous
like

the

land.

satyrs

Glaucus,
of

on
other
an-

rior
infe-

the

deities, is represented
as

rough

and

shaggy
hb

appearance,
covered

triton,

mth

body

mussels

seaweed

and

his

beard

show

that luxuriance

which

hair and

characterises

gods.
Merman

shepherd

or

of

with

Triton,

seas,

crook.

of

herald

as

is

Neptune,

Proteus,

guished
distin-

usually

is

sea-

Triton.

the

sented
repre-

always holding,
or

wreathed
blowing,his
shell.

horn

or

His

mythical

as

conch

attendant

supreme

on

duties
the

sea-divinity

in

Triton, with

two

uilt.

German.

as

CREATURES

would,

duty

as

supporter

^The

"

Tri/on

and

Lyttelton bears

Ottway,
blowinghis

Note.

distinct

Bart.

"

for sinister

shell and

holdinga

tupportert.

for

supporters
a

trident

Supporterson

shell proper^

wreath

"

great naval hero.

conch

Triton

proper^ in their exterior hands

hand

City of Liverpool has

blowinga

Mermaid

shoulder

to

similar

righthand.

in his

Lord

241

heraldry,imply

office in the bearer

or

Examples.

9ag

in

emblem

an

ART

IN

Mermen

two

or.

either

navally crowned

side,a
or^

of red coral^and holdingin

Triton

across

the

the exterior

trident^
point downward.
In

classic story, Triton

poeticcreations,their

and

vocation

the

and

Siren

are

attributes
Q

FICTITIOUS

242

being

altogether

SYMBOLIC

AND

variance

at

relationship

no

whatever

"

existing
popular
and

them.

notions,

however,

triton,

him,
the

between

or

to

appear

femme).

They
to

supporters

similarly

be

in

other

viewed

(in
thus
the

parlance

heraldic
in

appear
arms

achievements.

of

and

male

as

mermaid,

or

sometimes

they

as

modern

to

siren

the

merman

creature

same

According

term

female
baron

companionship

Viscount

Hood,

of
and

as

and

CREATURES

IN

3rte iWetmaii
Mermaid

"

ART

S^ixm

or

shaftsthat stillthe

243

witJk ecstasies

waves

T.
The

*"

"

And

World

within

of song,**

Swan,
Ocean."

the

fair Ligeds gpldencomhy

IVheretoith

she sits

on

diamond

rocis^

Sleekingher softalluringhair"
Milton,

Th

is

well

fabulous

times

the

as

poets

from

been

date

of

theme

subject of

legends,has

sea,

modern

and

frequent

the

and

of the

creature

in ancient

known

Comas."

**

less
number-

early

very

favourite

vice.
deShe

is

usually
represented

%^"S^

in

heraldry
having

as

the

upper

part the

holding

woman,

young

hands, the lower

Ellis

head

and
a

comb

part ending in

and

and
arms.

comb

byddir.'*

mirror

left^
gold. Cresty a

in her

MotlOy

holdinga

"

Another

Worth

ein

family of

glass

Argent^

"

or^

in her

in

her

same

maid
mer-

righthand

mermaid

fFrwythau
the

beautiful

fish.

(Glasfryn, Merioneth).

gules,crined

of

body

as

yn

name,

in the

hadna

settled

in Lsmcashire, bears
a

mermaid
Sir

the

colours

reversed, viz.,gules^

argent.

Josiah

Mason.

argent and

wavy

SYMBOLIC

AND

FICTITIOUS

244

Crest,

"

in the

hand

dexter

she

in

sinister

hair

sable.

Balfour

of

and

mirror^ frame

Crest

swanks

head, erased proper.

of

hands

traditionary comb

for

instances

the

like occurs,

Cussack,

the

mermaid

hand

Sir

swordy and

George

the sinister

Wallop,
mermaid
the
same

for
hair

wide.

Earl

of

Bart.

of

dextet

in

Crest^ a

"

wreath

crest

holds

or,

maid
mer-

of coral^and

her

mirror.

mermaid

gold^ holding

bears

Portsmouth,

with

and
a

hand

other

sceptre.

Bonham,

of the

some

mermaid

the

pearing
ap-

in

mirror.

and

name

crest

in the sinister

dexter

proper,

comb

in

as

heads

instead

In

sable crined

Francis

holding in

mirror.

The

which

swan,

the

mermaid,

the

and

Balfour

Baron

and

otter

an

in the sinister

of

will account
in the

otter*s head

an

sable^and

are

of Ellis.

holding

proper^

erased

supporters

;*^

On

"

in her dexter hand

(I^;^.'^-;.,,

comby and

Burleigh.

mermaid

rock^ a

fess

part guttee de larmes^

the upper

azure

mermaid, per

usual

with
her

the

two

tails in

family
same

arms

tails extended
her

crest

accompaniments,

Another

bearing

for

hands

of

the
has

proper,
extended

CREATURES
In

is

represented with

and

Melusine^

245

mermaid

the

foreign heraldry

termed

ART

IN

generally
fishy

two

extremities.

Ritter, of Nuremberg

Die
or^

holdingher

mermaid

family
for

bears

Estenberger

without

mermaid

and

or.

Austrian

perfesssable

two

vested gules crowned

tails^
The

bears

of

crest

and

armsy

having wings.
A

merm^d
Sir

of

William
died

Brivere, who
It is the

of

brass

de

in

of

badge
in the

keleys;

the Ber-

used

of the Sea,"

1392

certain

badges ;

as

at

The

devices

the

among

It

rest

the dexter

was

of-arms

of Sir Walter

Byron.

The

other

many

Earl

titled

of

It is also borne
The

kings
une

of

the

it

Cyprus

and

Jerusalem,

founded

of

Boyne

are

on

as

"

Une

curious

coat-

Lord
maids.
mer-

Earl

Hood,

and

crest

of

house

have

the

untitled

many

princely

were

crest

Viscount

bear

by

to

Mermaids

^^

Marsereene,

the

cuve,"

his

supporter in the

of

arms

Prince, in

find

we

Howth,

families

of

appears

of Viscount

supporters

the

he

Scott, and

Skiffington,Viscount
of Caledon,

Black

that

collar

bears

he

a.d.,

his camail.

over

Ritter,of Nuremberg.

Die

Berkeley,

Wolton-under-Edge,
vnMf mentions

1226.

monumental

Lord

mermaids

vice
de-

the

was

or

porters.
sup-

families.

Lusignan,
sirine

dans

mediaeval

FICTITIOUS

246

SYMBOLIC

AND

siren, termed
or
legend of a mermaid
fairy,condemned
a
by some
spell to

The

only, half

of the week

day

one

Roimoudin

Knight

the forest

she

her, and

the

became

and

enamoured

mother

of

several

husband

she

carefullyavoided

seeing her

day

of

her

day, however,

led

him

to

Christian

lost

to

This

hoped

is

reference

the

old

mermaids

man

death

creatures
seen

the

their

out

have

creature

in the

union

with

endowed,

to

"

her

the

with

be

was

in
Sidratta,
who, falling

was

had

; many,

the

beneath
the

Baring

Ages."
of

half

upper

half of

fish,

right hand

and

toilet have
observed
the

resting upon

powers,

the mermaid's

haunts

in

glass: they
It

blindly followed
to

her

while

long yellow hair,

vocal

listener.

spoken

fatallylistened
and

by

always when

to

really did exist,and

and

curiosity

spellbeing

articles of the

found

wondrous

to

his

Middle

in the

fable that

admiring themselves
with

the

on

the

lower

the

comb

are

combing

waves,

been

of the

left ; these

the
to

married

children,

fullyexamined

joined to

usuallyholding

was

is

representedas

maiden

in

in

to

been

have

to

her

ever.

mermaid

mirror

by

she

led

which

**

beautiful

and

soul

myth
interesting
Curious
Myths

Gould's
The

with

the

for

her

one

her, which

watch

broken, and

on

half serpent.

woman,

but

change

become

Forez, meeting

de

became

by chance,

M61usine,

also

are

to

credited
ac-

which

hear

long believed

such

from

time

we

time
are

charmed

to

told, have

speech,*'

beguiling,deluding
the

wave,

as

Ganges,became enamoured

did

of

of

one

countries

silver

their

of

the

*'

Davy

"

of the

bottom
of

the

(Deva),
blue

deep

Lady of

Scotland

legend,

that

the

drew

that
of

**

nature

the

and
and

to

the

the

and

clear ; if then

make

feet of

sea

hears

it, he

the

which

the White

the German

Knight

the

of

the

the

then
itself,

it

forgets his ship

is its

down

falcon, and

who

us

approach

; such

woman

tells

he

weather

steersman

asleep."
The
legendary mermaid
popular legends of our

be

may

return.

fine

in

it will divert

When

in

of

Philipde Thaun
sea, it sings at

of

weeps

it has

waist, and

fish.

never

lives in the

Siren

storm

ship

"

same

Netherlands,

the

the

is at

poeticalconceptions

the Silver Swan

and

Bestiary

"

all

mortals,

"

locker

'*

are

of the

Lohengrin departed
In

whose

play
Nixey

or

with

land

on

sea,

imp

description. The

same

Merminne

said of the

Nakki

Finnish

dances

like
fairy-

some

the water

nights;

sings and

Germany

and

o'

invented

The

waters.

harps

the

beings,the Upsaras,
have

to

seem

story of the

247

Vedas.

of the

swan-maidens
All

beautiful

these

ART

IN

CREATURES

to

tail of

sings loud

navigates the

and

immediately

falls

of

remoter

parts

Mirrow,

or

Crofton

Croker's

Ireland."

people
mermaids

Irish

were

fairy,hold

her

how,

of

the

stories

prominent placeamong
of

in

days

supposed

to

in

the

The

shores
the

place

especiallyin

Fairy Legends of

the

still tell

coasts,

sea

islands.

our

'*

Round

still retains

reside

Lough
of

the

South

Neagh
their

of
old

youth,

in the water,

and

FICTITIOUS

248
with

fear

what

homeward
and

and

trepidation they would,

in the

way

twilight, approach

sequestered spot
be

to

moment

On
the

reference

have

As

tales of the
the

than

found

Early

women,"
The

chronicles

ancient

capture

of

strange

creatures;

smile

from

indeed

mermaids,"

,**

their

which

article

there

appeared

under

intelligenceof June

ssulors, and
British

describing

breast, dark

probable

may

be

said

and

that

prototype

myth

of the

sung

and
a

in
4,

comely

this

mermaid

great deal

off

"

Gazette^
Scotch

the

North

with

woman,

face

and

the

the
seal

full
rest.

family

interestingmyth.

and

about

Roman

it.

1857

as

some

is,however,

later Greek

excite

Shipping

variety of
of

similar

late

object seen

of the

tales

signed by

fish-

them.

only
So

the

shape of

some

the

Homer

an

complexion,

It is

date

in the

"

coast

The

an

**

and

now

absurdity.

have

believers.

with

teem

in

times

to

termed

"mermen,"

stories
utter

delighted

of these

they

as

Rhine

the

sound

stories

"women-fish,"

or

idea

same

unlikely

and

tell wonderful

voyagers

witching

enlightened

not

were

every

creature.

have

ages

listeners

willing

many

the

in less

and

they

present,

the

by

fabled

same

in all

marvellous,

lonely

some

legends of

the

mariners

know,

we

off

Continent

numerous

to

their

on

shore, expecting

carried

and

the

prevails. Among
many

the

on

captured

mere-maidens.

SYMBOLIC

AND

of

far older

poets have

CREATURES

^Tfie^ireiis
Sirens

The
the

Their

of their song

names

from

derived
in

and

was

The

temple

ancient

the

time.

up

celebrated
of

the

on

Pallas

of

of

the

sea

Bay

Athenae,
derives

out

of
at
so

hunger.
Leucosia.

Odyssey/'

sirens,whose

legend

Poetic

the

Neapolis (Naples)

**

Flazman*B

Parthenon

sculptures, likewise
source.

of

one

Strabo's

cast

degree that

died

and

name

Sirens.

herself into the

threw

she

and

by

seamen

Parthenope, Ligea, and

were,

Ulysses

shown

ittntfjologg

such

to

forgot everything

Parthenope,the

was

(tlassit

of

249

(Greek, entanglers)enticed

sweetness

listeners

ART

IN

of love

tomb
states

for

was

that

Ulysses,

Naples.
Athens,

richly
its

name

the

beautiful

adorned

from

with
this

interviews

Dante

SYMBOLIC

AND

FICTITIOUS

250

siren

the

in

Purgatorio/*xix.

"

7-33in his

Flaxman,

seated

the

In

the

and

The

Sirens

companions
had

the
with

the

mast.

but

three

introduced

as

paindng on

wax

four
into

to

to

two

are

of mddens.
the

have

with

by

the

ears

their

of

himself

mentioned

in

Demeter

that
his
song.

his

bound

in later

legends.

sents
repre-

story

them

seduced

vase

Tise.

heads

mentioned

various

Greek

story, and

stop

and

Greek

the

passing

being

are

knoyrn from
in

prudence

women

young

ancient

an

with

best

without

Only
or

From

birds

are

Odyssey/*

"*

singing.

from

Sirent.

succeeded

Odysseus
He

and

rendering of

Grecian

the Sirens

beautiful

as

illustration

Ulynet

gives

strand

the

on

sirens

the

represents

the
designsillustrating

panions
com-

to

Homer,
times

and

{Ceres)

CREATURES
is said

have

to

they

refused

251

bodies

their

changed

of birds, because

ART

IN

to

help of

the

to

go

those

into

carried
she was
companion, Persephone, when
They arc represented in Greek art
by Pluto.

their
ofF

**

like the

harpies,as

feet of birds.

Sometimes

birds, only with

death

are

those

to

tombs

depicted on
the

By

in

Spenser, in
"where

"

the

fair

music
when

they

had

which
pleasures,
fail

to

destroy

beguilinginfluence.
Queen," describes a place

There
too

ventured

makes

five sisters that

were

confident
to

somewhat

in

their

with

contend

the

had

skill in

Muses,

extremities

in their lower

But

half their hue

the upper

And

their

Which

To

snaring
en-

haunt, making false melodies,"

transformed

they were

fish
^

ladies, till

often

are

representedthe

never

knight Guyon

perilouspassage."

been

to

Faerie

"

mermaids

many

which

by

the

is

deceitful

their

to

they

death.''

sleep,and

to

succumb

who

those

and

the

with

their songs

As

them

Sirens

the

and

they generallyhold

by

of
spirits

as

of vain

soothe

and

times

other

case

subdued

wings

altogetherlike

in their hands.

fables of

nature

sing

which

the

appear

faces;at

of music

instruments

they

human

of women,

bodies

with

women

young

ever

skill in wonted

sweet

after

allure weak

retained

they abused

melody
to

whom
travellers,

still,
;

ill

gotten
Book

they
ii. cant.

Shakespeare charmingly pictures Oberon

moonlight,fascinated

by

the

gracefulform

did

kill.*'

cxii.

in
and

the
the

FICTITIOUS

252
melodious

of the

strains

of the

the back

And

Thou

"

sat

heard

mermaid

That

certain

To

hear

sea

and

of

Commentators

breath

harmonious

civil

grew

madly

sea^maid*s

the

dolphin's back

on

shot

stars

rememberest

promontory^

upon

dulcet

rude

the

recliningon

"

Uttering such
And

once

Since

half

mermsud

dolphin :

Oberon

^*

SYMBOLIC

AND

her

at

from

song
their

spheres

music."

Shakespeare find

in this passage

(and subsequent parts)certain references to Mary

Queen of Scots, which they consider beyond dispute.
She

frequentlyreferred

was

this

under

time

Scotch

the

referred

to

**Few

eyes,"

old

days

of

Elizabeth

and

fish's

of love

habitation

places

of

and

with

writing were

business

celebrated

of

sign,* that

in Bread

The

sign

brother-in-law

the

was
to

and
old

Street
also

used

Sir Thomas

"have
woman's

In
rare

taverns

stands

give
the

**a

other
most

bearing

this

foremost.

by printers: John
More,

those

plishments,
accom-

to

Among

resort.

London

forgot

hostelries and

to

name

stars

Mary.

to

extremity below."

"

sea

and

Browne,

pictured signboards served

local

rude

of lesser note,

mermaid

reading and

when

the

Northumberland

Thomas

the

to

shooting

the

out

Sir

says

picture of

the

above

head

Earls

The

France.

who, with others

to
allegiance

escaped

of

of

poetry

married

was

rebels, and
the

were

Westmoreland,
their

She

(or Dolphin)

Dauphin
means

title.

in the

to

"emprynted

Rastall,
in

the

CREATURES
We

find

1464.

this

In

used

to

combats
Fuller

Beaumont
known
to

Beaumont

described.
and

Fletcher

is that

Ben

What

So nimble
As

if that

Had

meant

And

had

Of

any

one

three

For

the

days

from

in

gate

dedicated

to

sign
of
**

of the

the

the

work

make

talk

to

was

next

but

of the

in

there

that

us,

the

Sygne

Mermaid,

creature

wit

cancellM

1572.*' Henry
a

by

to

but

best

Beaumont

came

jest,

rest

had

thrown

been

town

might

be

warrant

foolishly,
and

that

when

which
two

was

gone.

alone

companies
wise."

downright fools)more
Mermayde

Binnemann,

Sir Thomas

the

next

generally prefixed
227.

in
A
to

Fowls-

to

Queen's

Gresham,

Knightrider Street.

History of Sign-boards,'*
p.

been

that have

they

fool the

justifythe

to

air behind

an

at

and

flame,

wit

when

then

(Right witty, though

Cheapesyde

wit

seen

words

whence

live

to

city to

were

able

letter of

wc

full of subtle

past

whole

left

Was

enough

Till that

those

comedies,

? heard

put his whole

his dull life

For

We

so

resolved

able

from

things have

and

to

Wit

place

the

commemorated

in their

Mermaid

the

at

spiritsof

**

Done

Shakespeare,

frequently alluded

quotation

Jonson

here

took

has
is

It

established

intellectual

there

and

meet,

which

and

early as

as

Raleigh

house,

the choice

253

mentioned

Walter

this

and

Jonson,

time

Sir

in

"

Mermayde

1603

literaryclub
Ben

**

ART

IN

printer,

1576,

at

the

representation
his

books.

"

FICTITIOUS

254

SYMBOLIC

AND

^f)t Bolpfiin

of

iLegenti anti

of

?l?eraltirg
his

"...

The

delights

dolphin4ike
: theyshowed

Were

bis back above

they lived in.*'

element

Act
^'Anthony and Cleopatra,''

the

As

Lion

of birds,

king
due

of

so

is the

in similar
His

fishes.
his

to

being

of the

creatures

into the

quicker
The

of

one

than

any

the

the

of

biggest

passed the
Sea.

swiftest
not

sense

Eagle

positionin legend

that

sea

whatsoever, and

heraldic

Mediterranean

calls it **The

from

of beasts,the

king

of
sea

the

2.

king
is

is

probably

and

boldest

Pillars of Hercules

all other

fowle, swifter

sc.

Dolphin

Pliny (Book
fish

v.

8)

living creatures

only, is
than

ix. ch.

the

the

dolphin ;

arrow

shot

bow.*'

dolphin, of

which

there

are

several

varieties,

CREATURES

found

in

of

indeed

Arctic

the
all

ancients and

ART

255

geographicaldistribution, being

wide

enjoys a pretty

IN

the

seas,

Atlantic

well

seas.

It

was

furnished

the

theme

and

Ocean,

known

of many

the

to

fabulous

story.
The

dolphin (Delphtnus Delphis)

common

British

with

ichthus^ is only rarelymet

hieros

true

the
the

on

Its

coast.

length is usually
seven

eight

or

feet,though

some

have

specimens
found

been

ten

measure

feet.

dorsal

Its back

; its

beneath.

placed low

in

the

help

leaps over

the

surface

time

its breath.

by

takes

Unlike
the

its

coast,

porpoise likes

for
on

odds

and

ends.

even

far

at

sea,

its
at

and

The

in the

dolphin

panded
ex-

other

peculiar
the

are

same

haunt
rally
gene-

short-nosed

sand

is

long-snouted

mackerel, robs

burrows
The

in most

The

pelagicfishes.
and

and

porpoises,who

out

are

elevated.

centre

and

water

porpoises.

salmon

nets, and

the

it makes

of the

dolphins live

feeds

which

relatives the

near

mistaken

dolphin

of

in

and

developed, and

as
vertically

not

above

short, is much

notched
"

black

which
flappers,

well

is somewhat
and

or
straight,
only

dusky

pectoralsor

horizontally
"

is

sides, are

the

fin,which

is almost

colour

Its

Its tail is broad

fishes

Doiphia.

to

elevated
slightly
whitish

The

the

the

men's
fisher-

in search

of

sea-goose.

FICTITIOUS

256
The

porpoise

the

porc'poiSyor
The

is the

SYMBOLIC
he

pig ;

sea-

is the

of the

dolphin

furrow

bjra deep

is separatedfrom

; the muzzle

extended, compressed, and

much

towards

it terminates

the

where

apex,

sharp-pointed bealc
from
its

to

adoption in
and

swimmer,

swiftness
The

of

is able

and

the

ever

The

the various

the

of

tribes

examine

its formidable

number

of

even

of

some

best

in

an

for

something

to

persistencyand

has

been

not

inaptly

deep."
of

fish is

for its

voracious, gluttonous,

great

He

swiftest of

againstnearly

is

out

with

swift

of Fleet.

arms

own

He

the look

character

destructive

the

off second

come

styled**'the plunderer of

of the

is noted

in the
his

iPoiey

bee

elegantand

an

weight,and

avidity.

rather

beak, has led

or

creature

hold

to

his prey

it with

is

dolphin.
on

hunting

devouring

the

only

in

overtaking

his size and

with

up,

of

especially

name

nose

greatly

English families

adopted

largercetaceans

encounter

turn

been

dolphin

of

dolphin

Because

it has

all others
the

French

arms

capable

finny tribe.

the

the
The

of Beck.

name

The

is

attenuated

great projectionof its

the

porc-poisson^

sea-hog.
snout

convex

forehead

the

AND

the

dolphin amongst

lessened

not

when

we

jaws studded with an immense

interlockingteeth.
Notwithstanding its

rapacioushabits and the varietyof its diet it was

England formerly regarded as a royal fish,and
flesh held

in

of

frequent entries
Thames,

thus

estimation.

high
"

Old

chroniclers

dolphins being caught

Henry

V.

"

Seven

in
its
have

in

the

dolphins came

CREATURES

11.

Richard

Bridge, being
fish.*'

grown
68

eaten

and

ocean.

be

taken

the

on

of

side

east

and

asked

times
another

and

belief,and

of

from

to

lawful

under

more

information

who

man

that

pig*sflesh

all circumstances.
submitted

authority,whether

the

^sh

the
of

and

their

to

when

they

to

mufti

hesitation

unlawful
Some

time

question to
the sea,

tonishing.
as-

sea-pig(the

any

was

arc

equally

the

Without

food.

says

feeding and

went

once

the

"saw

he

always constant
fishes

was

on

men,

their parents,

Sir

he

he

which

of

company

the

exists.

learn

dolphins,"of

the flesh of

whether

declared

person

in

called

the
the

all

at

after
same
sea-

^*^^*
^

'i

-^V

fish,

as

Hope,

against hungry
much

him

dolphin) was
mufti

not

that when

Good

they are

story is related of

the

of

men

old," and

are

of

Cape

them

defending

"all

Sanquehar, a large kingdom

tenderly affected

mates,

T^^a

therefore

was

affection

We

salts.

affect the

like

nourished

deemed

their kind,

early voyager,

an

the

much

"They

notoriouslyhard

grano

great numbers

there

monstrous

mammal,

at

of London,"

dolphin

of

young

are

cum

of

coast

taken

State

animals, a strong

Herbert,

Thomas

; the

is,however,

and

the old

Travellers**tales
must

"

sea

14th

he lives and dies

creature
air-breathing
But one
is brought forth at a birth,and

an

of all marine

case

and

of the Church

He

between

long,

**

was

earlyfathers

in Lent.

in the

one

Present

in the

though

feet
"

swam

fish that

taken."

were

Day

ten

257

(Defethmc's

The

four

Christmas

^On

"

London

whereof

Thames,

the

up

ART

IN

'

258

FICTITIOUS

pig,was

lawful food*

lawful

by

food

Classic
a

and

Fable

of

event

it

to

MEDiiSVAL

what

mariner

of

be

tender

with

back

ready

to

the

him

speed

about

for his

were

of

dolphin

to

the

is the

poets and
the

of

sailors

"

and
flying-fish

until he

is

caught

Coryphana htppurus^ the

calm, these

ship,appear

offers his

shore.

changing tints
a

watches

now

safety,
nor

leapsafter

"

for its

toric
his-

yawiing,dashing,

dolphin

modern

our

that

During

the water.

rare

waters

if it

as

The

the

**

generous

tin
glittering

speciesfamed

; the

stories and

age.

frolics in front of the vessel's prow

by

which

quite a different creature

The
pictured by the ancients.

no

swift swimmer

dolphin

be

engulfed by

of

shed

in British

fish

is

have

hour

present

golden

eye, solicitous

dolphin

The

the

Fish

*^

called/'

Legend

famous

this

to

is

sea," but

furious

the

he

may

be

thrill all the old-*world

found

have

from

the

to

even

veritable relic of the

we

it may

name

interest around

associations

fact

replied:

dolphin being caught

with

revives

SYMBOLIC
mufd

The

whatever

halo of romantic

cleaves

AND

when

from

taken

fishes, when

brilliant blue

or

ming
swim-

purple,

flected
shiningwith a metallic lustre in every change of relight.On being captured and brought on deck,

the

varietyof

these

tints is very

beautiful.

golden yellow hues

silver,varying back again into
purple

purple
for

some

and

and

This

gold.

change
the

alteration

The

brilliant

to

originalcolours,
of

tints continues

time, diminishing in intensity,and

settles down

into

dull leaden

bright

hue.

The

at

last

iridescent

CREATURES
lines which
deck

play along

tells

in

us

beautiful simile

like the

With

The

dolphin,whom

is not

be

to

coryphana

belong

to

of colour

The

common

in

does

he

the

but

Dolphin

not

in

even

There

like

of

all dead

the

Ganges

form

which

herbaceous

curious

two

are

of

Sooloo

the

agonies

slightlyphosphorescent

becomes

Amazon,

between

of classic irt.

the

change colour, though

body

of the

link

graceful

and

gay

satiny

dolphins, the

Inia

the

dark

during decomposition.
water

legendary dolphin

dying.

and

beneath

things

grey."

dolphin

back

white

with

^and all is

"

alone

{Delphinus delphis)is

death

away,

rainbow

those

the

imbues

pang

the

that

say

whom

flashes

on

each

it gasps

confounded

to

writer.

many

on

till'tis gone
last stillloveliest,

It is needless

lies

he

as

Parting day

lustre,as

new

259

of

enthusiasm

**

Dies

ART

elegant curves

its

the

has awakened

Byron

IN

the
and

fresh

and

the

connectingcarnivorous

cetacea.

The
accessory

the Homeric
when

after
an

(SeX^/v) may

dolphin

he

symbol
guided

commanding

altar to

him

as

considered

Apollo, who,

of

hymns,

be

once

the
the

took

ship

Cretan
crew

the

to

burn

as

to

read

we

form

of

an

in

dolphin

Crissa, whence,

the

ship and

Apollo Delphinios, he

erect

led them

to

FICTITIOUS

26o

SYMBOLIC

AND

Delphi, and appointed them

be

to

the

first

priestsof

temple.

his

The

is

dolphin

fiivourite

the

Apollo,

of

divinity,derivinghis

mysterious spot,

very

centre

of

coast
to

from

driven

Patheniac, was

back

type

common

for Taras,

cityis
The

said

son

"

the

escape

the

charmed

previouslyso

that

they gathered round

Arion

Requites
classic

with

his bearer

myth

of

Aristode

of this

their

the

Arion

city, was
whom

the

only did they bear

have

Arion,
the

sea

murdered

the
to

him,

dolphins by his plajdng

ship

and

whilst

harmonious
for his

is the

sea," were

leap into

would
the

that the

from

backs, but
to

ofF

name.

of the
Not

the

friendlydolphin's

dolphin, which

its

safelyto Taenarus,
^'

The

of

Temple

sculptured

Poseidon,

times.

forced

had

bore

of

arrows

who

mariners

coins

derived

safelyon

singer, when

the
the

on

have

to

dolphins,

Nereides

sweet

town

Sparta and shipwrecked

on

great carriers of ancient

the

the

were

learn from

We

Tarentum.

intended
the

which

Italy,and escaped on

youthful figureseated
most

in

legend of Tarento, Phalantus, heading

In the

the

umbilicus,*' the

ichthus^Apollo*sfish.

Helios

the

of

walls

Delphi,

Delphos,

or

its oracle

bright

oracular

the

Delphi

fishes, the

that

to

earth's

"the

for

the

Apollo, upon

sacred
from

of the world,

Phocis, famous

in

and

name

that

classic of

most

one

the

of

them

musician

strains

friendlypains.*'
and

the

dolphin,like

CREATURES
other

many

and

and

the

Christian

the

dolphin

so

of

waveg

finallythey

the

of

deliverer

the

to

of

waters

of

introduction

Arion,

baptism

opens

paths of deliverance, causing them

the

the

pass

of

frescoes

and

frequent

the

through the

who

tion,
significa-

symbolic representationsof

other

points not

"

mankind

to

sculptures

the

by

entirelydifferent

an

converts,

Him

to

the

in

catacombs

but

with

261

invested

fictions,was

pagan

Christians

early

ART

IN

land

the

to

come

may

world

troublesome

this

of

to

that

everlasting

life."
The

poet

Licophron says Ulysses bore

his shield, on
his

^^

was

shore.

of

these
A

Puzzoli
became
him

up

Pliny

and

to

feed this

so

familiar

its back

on

dolphins
resumed

two

"c.
The

coins

well-known

other

dolphin

and

relate

dolphin
the

with
the

over

and
of

national

they
that

appear

State

devices.

story of

Lucrin

Lake

from

with

Baia

bread,

boy

one
:

to

and

it

that it carried

bay."
for

abandoned

on

safelybrought
a

earlysymbols

were

as

fell into the

young

frequented the
every day to school

used

last

when

others

went

often

and

well

as

extraordinaryescape

which

JEgina, and though

wolf

by

who

at

The

taken

fishes

boy

who

Telemachus,

son

and

on

of the

ring,in commemoration

of his
sea

of his sword,

pommel

the

dolphinon

the

on

time

coins

were

upon

wards
after-

later

and

accompanied by
'

Argos

had

of

the

anciently

dolphins ; Syracuse, a winged sea-dog,a dolphin,

; Teneos

dolphin

(Cyclades) two
and

trident

dolphins and

figures also

upon

trident.
coins

of

262

SYMBOLIC

AND

FICTITIOUS

city of Byzantium, signifyingprobably

the

ancient

the

sovereignty of

the

ancients

as

the

seas.

constellation

It

is

in

the

figuredby
heraldry of the

even

In

botany it lives in
larkspurs called delphiniums, from
heavens.

of their leaves.

segments
The

dolphin

famous

historic

of

anchor,

between
the

being

symbol

of

fish.

This

device

used

as

dolphin and

anchor

Icnte*'

"Festina

Adolphus

of

family of

Onslow

Aldus

sea

him

his book

and

by
of

which

anchor

device

Cardinal

slowly."
symbols
is the
**

is

The

printer,
the

seamen,

motto

describes
that

between

violent

motto.

silver medal

with

**to represent

by

motto

and

Camerarius

When

cast

from

The

Emperor

the

Venetian

Bembo,

medium

the

crest

of
also

was

Chabot.

for

same

of

coins

Syria.

with

Admiral

celebrated

the

slowness."
the

the

well-known

hasten

*^

in business

the

bear

by

firmness

swiftest

of

slowly "),by

Nassau, and

this

in Greek

haste

(**Hasten

of

anchor

used,

the

anchor

the

upon
The

also

was

Manutius,

presentedto
signin

also

an

Augustus,

is the

signetringby Seleneus, King

adopted

dolphin

father of Titus.

the
Vespasian,,

of

it is also

delay,as

appears

round

twisted

slowness, the

and

the

the device

took

Rome,

Titus,

symbol.

emblem

haste

security,while

and

the

is

anchor

and

dolphin

imply, like

to

medium

of

Emperor

CoinofiEgini,

the slender

petalsand

their curious

maturity
too

winds
the

this

great
disturb

dolphin

CREATURES
herself

winds

that

it

it

round

this

peculiarproperty

that

anchor

then

dolphin

the

and

^*

"

styleshimself.

he

as

Pickering,

verses

some

upon

Would

Never

yet

With

Nor

time

vessel

to

the

stranded,

dolphin by

nor

ride ;

anchor

envy

sign which

then

And

was

the

The

Joy

Aldine

the

safelylanded,

stillbe

thou

is my

the Aldus

dolphin

its side.

shall

at

ever

canker.

lastingpride ;

anchor
its side.

worthy

Sir

it,amongst

following:

On

"

William

by

Bridges has
the

is

for

Discipulus Aldi

occur

so

wards
after-

sign was
adopted

ton

intellect

security

hieroglyphic
philanthropy
safety."

"

human

signifies

This

The

stay and

whilst

with

for

it were,

as

storms.

particularlove

for

ground ;
dolphins have

foretell

of

hold

the

can,

263

more

may

Safely take

they

as

ART

of

out

it

directs

and

mankind,

IN

Egerwhich

FICTITIOUS

264

To

^^

dolphin

the

Life and
A

poet

dolphin was

^the

Empire

What
Miss

I done

of whom

"

the

Latins

that

Court

seeking
A

of

branch

England

were

Three

scaffold

during

restored

Courteney,

the

of

of
Wars

Marquis

of

of

the

Sir

the

familyestates
William

His

on

the

family

Another

of

the brutal

victim

after

Edward,

son

tower, ended

passed into

Courteney,

; the

VIL

their

of the

perished

Roses

in

first the

VIII.

and

settled

Exeter, became

tyrant Henry

prisoner in

vainly

II., and

Henry

by Henry

subsequentlythe

lengthby

throne."

the

the

"the

three, wandered

the

Courteney

favourite, and

long

at

principalBarons

the

favour

to

possessionof

imperial Courteneys

Earls
the

Constantinople

of

upon

reign

and
three

throughout Europe

among

realm.

fallen?

History

Expelled

the last of

the

during

descendants

was

the

as

Ubi

**

motto,

have

in

in

was

replace him

to

dolphin

the

of their race,

204.

Court

to

aid

city

siegeof

Q)urtcneys,

touching allusion,"says

("Heraldry

Greeks, Baldwin,

from

"

imperialthrone

time

after the

bear

the misfortunes

to

filled the

during

The

("Whither

"),

Millington

Romance"),

the

Empire

the Eastern

melancholy

the

feci?"

Quid

have

poet'sfriend/'

family,still
and

sinking,

Constantinople.

badge,

lapsus?

from

insigniaof

the

of

send

joy we

saved

he

Devonshire

and

crest

and

drinking,

stillhe lives the

The

noble

we're

as

health

once

And

"

SYMBOLIC

AND

of

his
other

days

being

in exile,

hands.

Powderham

Castle,

CREATURES
Devon

Edw.

(jemp.

standard
three

three

dolphins in
of Peter

Arms

is still to

1478,
environed

with

France

emblazoned

reference

the

the

the

to

his

on

purple

of

that

first

the

of
called

was

Knight
from

the

of

the

of Exeter,

episcopal palace

dolphins of Constantinople.

of

bearing
the

to

kingdom.

mentions

in

seen

"atiptiiv

restricted

his

bore

Courteney, Bishop

be

the

Cte

of

IV.),

265

Emperors.

The

In

ART

IN

of

Jprance

the

dolphin

Dauphin

or

heir

to

sively
exclu-

was

the

throne

Brydson
of

one

the

troubadours

Dauphin,
the

or

Dolphin,

bearing that figureon

shield,adding
in

name

his

that

^^

came
be-

successors

title of

the

sovereign

dignity/'
The
borne

title

by

"

Dauphin,**

the eldest

heir-apparentof

the

of

the

and
of

France
Bourbon

Banner

kings

of the

Dauphin.

Valois

dynasties,originated in

the

Dauphins

Viennois, sovereignsof the province of Dauphin6.

Guy VIII.,
The

under

and

son

Count

title descended

of

Vienne,
in

the

was

the

family

first

so

till 1349,

styled.
when

FICTITIOUS

266

Humbert
called

that

condition

on

of

title

the

last

the

and

Charles
60 1,

been

since

Dauphin

of

of
headed

by

infant

as

the

bom,

was

of

of

figuresof dolphins,estimated
eldest

of Louis

son

the edition

at

Louis,

"

of

husband
The

vince
pro-

present of

plate with
de

due

various

crowns.

I2,cxx"

for whom

XIV.,

of the Latin

not

recognisethe

to

him

make

richlychased

Dauphin.

had

there

(the

Vienne,

sovereign,and

service

Grand

II.

In

deputation to Fontainebleau,

Archbishop

their

entire

sent

of

1830.

eighty-four
years.

"

Dauphin6

Philippe ;

title in

Francis

Scots)

French

d'Angoul"rne, son
the

XIII.

first

succeeded

Due

renounced

Louis

when

Mary, Queen

an

the

was

assiuned

France
The

who

Jean,

was

seigneurie,
(de Valois),

VL

of

heir

Dauphin."

who

X.,

Philippe

to

the

"*Le

called

prince so

Dauphin^,

the

his

de Pisa^ sold

la Tour

II., de

SYMBOLIC

AND

Bourgogne,
published

was

classics entitled

**

Ad

usum

Delphini**(1661-1711).
Second,
the Grand

Little

or

introduced

Lewis,

the

Queen
in

marriage

an

anachronism

of

of

hundred

years,

bore

of. Scots
the

to

styledby

Mary, Queen,

nobillest

the heir of France/'

Dauphin and

1558

II.,and
^

The

son

King John

into

Mary
Francis

Louis,

"

Dauphin (1682-1712).

Shakespeare,by

^^

Dauphin.

lady in

and

her

the

title

Dolphiness of Fraunce,

earth.**

her

afterwards

Dauphin,
adherents

on

CREATURES

Cte
The

heraldic

modern

the

natural

form

ornamental

an

slightresemblance

monstrosity bearing

to

of

this

historic marine

nearer

is

blance
resem-

the

to

shape

267

dolphin, as] usually represented by

but

symbol

ART

?i|eraltrtc
Bolpttn

heralds,is

celebrated

IN

natural

decidedly
Some

ferable.
pre-

of

the

early heraldic representations,

though
crude,

are

heraldic

though

In

at

treatment,

the

of

the

the

dolphin

high
we

time

same

phin.
dol-

real

of

its series

out

as

thoroughly

in

unlike

very

teristic
charac-

very

and

little

leaps
the

water

with

appears

arched
see

back, just
it

represented

Ejcample

"

in

antique

natural

works

shape, however,

slightlycurved.
in

horizontal

stroke, which

The

embowed^

its
is

the
straight,

broad

tail

their

back

being but

paddle being placed

positionnecessitates
makes

Dolphin

an

up

swimming

and
to

down

appear

FICTITIOUS

268

series of

leaps and

porpoise,it

the

is

gamboUings
trulyattributed
pursuit of
The
in

the

on

its

implies that

word

blazon

word

it is better

always

to

arise

as

may

torquercy to

bowed

give
to

to

of

sake

descriptionin

the

the

the

of

omission

bent

or

in the

ways

at

the

Latin

each

targant^
terms

form

for

from

the

embowed,

of the letter S,

bending

applicable

serpents.

Haurianty from
fishes

applied to
position

iUuriMut

(swimming)

for

but

old

twist, are

embowed,

turning contrary

water

Dolphin^ alone,

position,naiant

understood,

is

doubt

the

greatly

indicatingits position.

Latin

also

in

always, depicted

not

is, having its back

that

Torqued^ torquend^ torgant^

or

more

breathingand blowing whilst

its natural

embowed,

; its apparent

therefore,be

may,

generally,if

is

In

incurvated.

full,as

water

relative

near

its prey.

Dolphin

accuracy

its

air-breathinganimal

an

to

Like

divings.

heraldry embowed,

and

SYMBOLIC

AND

to

or

in

ab

generallywhen
pale^ as

if

hauriendoy is

placed in

putting

the

an

head

term

upright
above

get air.

Urinant

lon^uffA.

IN

CREATURES
Shell-fish
hauriant

blazoned

arc

erect

ART

269

upright^the

or

fishes with

being only applicable to

term

scales

fins.

and

under

the

(from

Urinant

urino^

signifiesborne

water)

tail

the

and

Latin

with
the

erect,

duck

to

head

the

dive

or

wards
down-

position

reverse

of

hauriant.
Two

dolphins

sometimes

endorsed,

respectingeach
in the

well-known

as

Gile

ton,

by

date,

had

who

(Cornwall)
three

of

towns

the

it appears

It

figures on

of

Brighton,

English heraldry as early

thirteenth

In

century.
is

dolphin

Godolphins

The
*'

cities.

sea,

given

at

of Helston,*'
in that

estates

the

many
The

of

time

the

sable.''*

dolphins embowed^

the

as

Miss

says

part of

the

Conquest,

roll of
coat

of

Similar

Fishers
the

man

kingdom

arms

are

argent
borne

English families.

and

bear

Milling-

bore

Godolphins, Franklins, Franklands,

heraldic

Fiseburn.

de

**

the

seaport

in

appears

of the

middle

of that

arms

of

conquest

bearings

Dolphin

the

sometimes

Poole, "c.

Dunkirk,
The

back

to

together,

other.

of many

shields

back

or

signifying the

As

the

occasionally borne

are

in

Kennedys,

dolphin

fish

playing

their

as

the

cognisance of

the

of

many

harp

their

Frenches,

branches,

crest
on

Walterton

dolphin
family.

is

the

Sea-hone

**

sea-horses did

His

That

to

seem

naiant.

the

made

amain

snort

their nostrils blow

Andjrom

SYMBOLIC

AND

FICTITIOUS

ayo

thi

sparkfingwaves

And

flame with gold;

Did

shine with

smoke

to

hut the

silver^and

fierjstream
again

wJntefiam

shoot Jbrthhis beam**

Spbnsbr's

(Processionof

in its progress
Greeks

Poseidon

for

god

in the
other

monstrous

the
and

in the

constant

the

to

the

and
horse.

The

subjectsin
of

The
the

bounding

This

close

Divinities.)

charbt

waves*

in haste towards

heads/'

Sea

the

themselves

rolling and

^ueen.

triumphs and processions

the

through

pictured

each

pursue

art

Faerie

favourite

are

deities,dra^ng

marine

of the

their

Neptune

poetry and

ancient

god

of

steeds

The

cream

the
may

origin

of

as

to

^^

they

curling
account

between
the

of

horses

waves

seem

sea-

tive
imagina-

shore,

connection

the

horse

the

is

CREATURES
ascribed
as

the

to

present

make

271

Poseidon

mankind

to

the

created

Neptune

between

contest

should

who

to

ART

IN

and

the

Athene

useful

most

horse, Minerva

the

olive-tree.

cityof Lampsacus,

The

Phoceans,

adopted

monetary

type,

allusion
of

ness

their

Others

of

also

of

by

sea-horse

as

the

their

in

time
mariGreece

the

adopted

horse
sea-

their coins.

upon
coin

winged

founded

vessels.

the

States

Mysia,

fleet-

the

to

the

in

of

brated
cele-

the

Pyrrhus, King
of

Epirus (slain b.c.

knight-

the

272),

of

errant

ancient

heroes, represents the

of

head

Achilles, the

reputed
mother
Thetis

on

of

side, and

one

carries the
to

In

were

Gibbon's

Empire,"
if

we

may

we

Nereid, Thetis,

sea-horse

on

the

termed

by

"Decline

believe

reverse.

forged by Vulcan for Achilles,

succour
brought by Pyrrhus to

againstthe barbarians,as

find

the

arms

the

the Italian Greeks

Romans

the

the

Achilles, on

allusion

in

erect.

of

ancestor

Pyrrhus,

Sea-horse

a
our

the

rising

them.
Fall

and

reference

to

of

veritable

the

Roman

sea-horse,

authority. John Sobieski,

the

FICTITIOUS

272

victorious

of

King

he raised

when

delivered

found

the
and

the

of

with

hung

by

historian,
"

The

of

up

St.

/ have

seen

fish in

their

offspring;

cure

the bite of

to

to

six inches

of

Neapolitans

call

traveller

as

"

fabulous

This

mad

of

and

scallopedfin

placeof
to

be

in

Emperor

the

head

production

mothers

who

virtues

it is
four

resemblingthat

dragon'stail. This
public aquariums.

is the
The

by

learned

was

English

marines/*

It is

in

creature

of

part of

is continued

down

heraldry is

horse

fish

the

or

neck

with

pounded
com-

webbed

dolphin.

and

in

back

frequendy though erroneously,

,

seen

depictedwith
abo

wings

are

it is

needless

mentioned
The

wards
after-

was

cavalli-marini,"which

'*

hinder

mane.

needle

It is about

dog.

has

our

marine

the

with

its other

among

of the fore quarters

paws,

It

of

where/' adds

**

repute

great

them

horse

the

the

made

**

with

celebrated for the

ingeniously translated

once

of

it^^

horse, terminatingin

tiny hippocampus

of

Stephens,

length,and

in

and

Mustapha,

Turks,

figures^^

order

Naples is

small

nurse

ssud

of

the

(}) wrought

the

of

coast

of

Arabic

Vienna

of

tent

wife,

his

to

the incursions

in the

how,

sea-horse

embroidered

Cathedral

the

her

to

siegeof

from

ever

the great standard

hair

his letters

in

memorable

for

Europe

SYMBOLIC

Poland,

the

Turks, describes
he

AND

the

added

sometimes
to

say,

flowingmane

are

to

it,both

wrong,

unless

of

horse

of which,

specially

in the blazon.

Westenras

(Baron Rossmore),descended

from

CREATURES
the

family

of

great

of Van

IN

ART

273

of

Wassenhaer

Wassenburg,
Holland, and they bore

were

the
antiquityin
in reference
the
to
augmentation of the sea-horse
valour and intrepidity
of an ancestor, who, during the

Arms

The

of

Duke

against
at

tinitter supporter

Alva's

the

great risk

of the

swim

of

and

Sea-horse

usuallyhas
at

sea.

crest

Sea-horses.

are

activelyemployed

was

an

across

is of

Belfast.

his country

his

important despatchesto
The

and

campaign,

enemies
to

cityof

of

undertook
the

sea

with

besiegedcountrymen.

very

reference

arm

and

to

It is also borne

frequent use
meritorious

by

many

in

armory^

actions

formed
per-

seaport towns
s

FICTITIOUS

274

in allimon
in the

the

to

and

the

(**Works

Bossewell

of

peculiarmixture
of
description

in

is called

back,

the

with

classed

the

used
on
as

in

the
the

neying
the

ocean

part ending in
Two

such

his

emblem

an

and

lion

eateth

fish's

with

may

forms

ornamental
and

corn

latter

The

waterworks,
of

man

He

by
be

quently
fre-

such
and

extremity.

frequently

sea-creature,

of bold

country'sservice.
a

horse

an

resupinato

combination
a

of the

ungulis binis.

day,

mythical

in the

fore part of

his

in

1589),

rostro

gignit**

with

poisson, a

heraldryas

of

denote

water-horse

tortuosa,

in fountains

the centaur

Lion

or

Hon

for that he is like

Ichihyocentauryi.e.ya

horse, or

This

fantastic

those

employed
as

Armorie,"

"

on

Nilus

hunc

et

of

cauda

to

of the land.

animal

and

mayne,

as

English and Latin, gives a quaint

in the waters

night

supporters

as

as

hippotame,

primis dentibus
abideth

sea,

port,

Belfast

sea-horse, probably

of
protectorship

sea

city of

of the

commerce

Protector, bore

Cromwell,

England

and

trade

of the

arms

SYMBOLIC

AND

webbed

actions

achieved

It is

depicted

feet,the hinder

fish's tail.

animals

support

the

arms

of

Viscount

Falmouth.
The

Earl

of

Howth

has

for supporters

sea-lion

IN

CREATURES
nrgent^ and

mermaid,

ART

275

The

proper.

crest

also

is

sea-lion.
The

of Duckworth

crest

is

tower^

the battlements

partly demolished^ from

the

top flames issuant

the sinister

proper;

on

side

sea^lion

pressingagainst

azur"y

the

tower.

Silvestre.
a

sea

and

^rgent^

"

lion

couchant

crowned

azure,

armed

langued gules.
When

or

erect

the

other

sea-lion

compounded
of

creature

this

kind
Sea-lion

is erect, it should

clearlyblazoned
to

natural

is

to

of

scaled
back

Baron
or,

on

his

tail,"

naiant, the swimming position

talbot

in

shape, but

beaver, the feet webbed

like
from

from

erect

it.

depicted like

that

sea-lion

''a

as

distinguishit

erect.

be

fish,a scalloped fin

the

head

Stourton

to

has

for his supporters.

and

with
the

continued

the tail like

whole

body

along

the

the tail.
two

such

beasts, sable, scaled

CREATURES

276
The

IN

of Sir H.

crest

eared
s head guleSy
dog^

ART

Delves

and

Broughton.
finnedargent.
The

wolf,

"

Sea-bull,

sea-

Sea-

Sea-bear, Sea-cat,

Sea-dragon,

when

etc.,

in heraldry,
are
theyoccur
all depictedas havingthe
anterior portionsof their

bodies in the forms

their several

names

which

denote

but, like the sea-lion and

sea-horse,they have
tailsand webbed

fishes

paws.

"'"^""""

Sea-doframpant.

In

as
conclusion,
having,

possible,
given the raison d'Stre of each,and
and characteristicsof the many
traced the life-history
in our symbolic
gerie,
menastrange and fantasticcreatures
it only remains to express the hope that the

tar

as

information contained

in this volume

may be found
without some
such

and useful,as
interesting
standing
underknowledgethere can be littleor no intelligent

both

of the
of the proper treatment
and symbolic
these mythical
beings. The

forms

of

suggestive
forms of
while givingthe recognised
illustrations,
each,leaves to the artist free scope to adopthis own
styleof art treatment, whether purelyheraldic or
merely decorative.
Printed

:" W5

)-

"* Ca
Limited
by Ballamttnb
']^vistock
Street,London