Fire (heraldry)

Burning antlers in the coat of arms of Bauen

Fire is used as a common figure in heraldry , one also speaks of flame, flaming or burning .

Only flames in the coat of arms have a decorative effect due to the curved representation.

The depiction as an accompanying picture ranges from a burning furnace to erupting volcanoes (eruptions). A candle or a torch is shown with and without fire. A pile of wood with a licking flame, a burning branch or a stump in the coat of arms is common. Only smoke is very rare. Burning things can be held in the coat of arms by an arm or heraldic animal . Also fire baskets and burning mountains (volcano), but also other burning common figures, are in use. These are described as red-burning , as are buildings: The flame representation is modeled on the natural one with red, but can also have other colors - anything can burn. Thus, at a antler at all ends of a flame is possible ( flamed ).

Many burning things are also suitable to be represented in larger numbers according to the positional possibilities of heraldry. Two candles or two torches can be crossed at an angle .

Several mythical heraldic animals are consistently associated with fire, according to the dragon . A special symbol of fire is the salamander , exaggerated as a reptile-like large monster with a flame halo . According to ancient beliefs, he is said to live in fire and not burn. Like the phoenix , it comes out of the flames rejuvenated. In heraldry, the phoenix also rises from a fire, even if it should only be ashes according to the proverb. The panther spews flames (fragrances), it is the only animal that the dragon fears.