Hedgehog (heraldic animal)
The hedgehog is a heraldic animal that is rarely used in heraldry in the German-speaking world , in Italy it is more strongly represented in various variations by the Ricci family (riccio = hedgehog).
His representation is standing or running (one leg raised forward) in the coat of arms. It can be recognized by the upturned back. The spines are slightly erect. The coloring is done according to the heraldic rules . The main line of sight is towards the heraldic right side. The animal is mainly shown from the side. Erected like a lion in a coat of arms or in the protective posture “roll” is very rare. Depending on the coat of arms painter, the face is shown more clearly, but not mentioned in the description .
It appears as a talking coat of arms , in connection with the Bohemian lion , in the coat of arms of the city of Jihlava in Bohemia .
Igelswies , City of Messkirch
City of Jihlava
Hedgehog in the upper coat of arms of the Stülpnagel family
Coat of arms of the Ricci family
Coat of arms of the Lisowski family