Owl (heraldic animal)
Little is stylized owl in heraldry a heraldic animal .
Which animal is shown in the coat of arms must be clarified in the coat of arms description. Barn owl , screech owl and others like owl or snowy owl are possible. In the latter animal, the color is derived from the name.
The owl is shown standing on both legs and often in a posture that is slightly heraldic to the right. As a symbol of wisdom, it is a common figure in heraldry. The beak and legs are usually colored differently. The pointed "ears" (tufts of feathers) are raised or spread apart to the side. The owl should always have a seat pad. In the coat of arms, the animal can also keep its wings spread out. The eyes are drawn accentuated. If possible, all attitudes are to be described ( emblazoned ). Parts of the heraldic animal are not in use.
The owl is attributed to Athena as an attribute .
In older literature, the heraldic animal is also referred to as Auff . In this way it is also a talking coat of arms of the Austrian Auffenberg family .
See also
- Carrying owls to Athens (saying)
Individual evidence
- ↑ Gert Oswald : Lexicon of Heraldry. Bibliographisches Institut, Leipzig 1984, p. 47.
