Duck (heraldic animal)
The duck is a popular heraldic animal as a heraldic figure .
Is represented mainly the male bird, thus the Drake or Drake , which is for the arms Description of importance. The heraldic animal is taken swimming heraldically to the right or left (basic direction) or flapping its wings continuously in the coat of arms .
In the upper coat of arms , the duck is often taken from the shield representation. If the duck is in flight (wings raised ready to fly), the description needs some hints to distinguish it from the goose. The smaller figure is not enough.
The colors range from realistic to strictly heraldic. White (silver) or gold (yellow) are popular tingings, but the heraldic colors are all possible. The beak and, if visible, the feet are often taken in a different color. Rarely does the bird hold anything in its beak. The number is one to three ducks, which are then two over one in the shield or field , by stake or by bars . With two animals, the facing or facing position is common.
The duck's lack of bills, wings and / or legs is popular. For this purpose, one or more small animals are placed in the field or the head of a shield and emblazoned as merlettes or canettes .
The duck's coat of arms is very similar to the goose . The duck plays a special role as a symbol in French, Spanish and English heraldry . As Merlette, she is a sign for the fourth son.
flying duck
swimming duck
three running ducks
three merlettes
soaring duck
Duck head
_COA.svg)
.svg)
literature
- Gert Oswald : Lexicon of Heraldry. VEB Bibliographisches Institut, Leipzig 1984.
- Walter Leonhard : The great book of heraldic art. Development, elements, motifs, design. License issue. Bechtermünz, Augsburg 2001, ISBN 3-8289-0768-7 , p. 235.
