Clover stalk
Clover stem: Brandenburg
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Chest moon: Powiat Wrocławski
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Under the heraldic clover stems , the paired right and left at or on the eagle breast presented by the body center to the wing tips, often silver or gold jewel called. The clover stalks end at the wing tip in the shape of a three-leaf clover . If the ends of the cloverleaf are missing and the symbol runs across the eagle's chest, one speaks of a breast moon , breast sickle or breast clasp .
Development and forms
In Conrad Grünenberg's book of arms (1483), a band can already be seen on which shiny metal plates were attached. Instead of this bandage, metal clasps were soon used, which were riveted at the ends to the helmet head and at the other ends in the shape of a clover to the Saxons of the eagle's wings in order to achieve increased durability. The up to then insignificant accessories probably originated from one of these metal clasps, which are used to better secure the coat of arms . This clasp can be seen on older seals. In nature this was made of leather or a wooden crescent-shaped disc covered with fabric, which was decorated and made with real bird feathers at the back.
The representation of the clover stem is also based on this so-called breast moon (crescent-shaped disc).
The breast moon has rarely cloverleaf-like ends that reach into the tips of the eagle wings. The predominantly silver crescent moon is centered with a raised cross or other suitable figures, e.g. B. an extended clover leaf, adorned. The cross and shamrock can also point downwards, and the heraldry then emblazoned the shape as overturned . As with the clover stalks, an interruption above the eagle's breast is possible.
use
The clover stalks can be found in the eagles of the Brandenburg coat of arms, on the crest eagles of the Ascanians and Hohenzollern ( Prussia ), in the Tyrolean eagle and numerous other heraldic animals. Examples of the breast clasp are the Silesian eagle and the coat of arms of the Silesian noble family von Pelchrzim .
Main shield of the Prussian state coat of arms
Coat of arms of today's Austrian state of Tyrol
In the coat of arms of Jeseník a raised cross made from clover stalks
