Snake (heraldic animal)
The snake is a common figure in heraldry as a heraldic animal .
It is considered a symbol of immortality and eternal life and has also made its way into coats of arms as an attribute of saints . The Wilburgis can be recognized by a snake in the coat of arms. St. Benedict , with poison bowl and snake, has the animal as an attribute.
The Aesculapian snake has become widely known . It represents the symbol of the doctor . Two snakes twisting around a staff are characteristic of the caduceus , the symbol of trade. As an animal of mythology, the snake has many facets in culture , in film , in literature and in many other areas, so that its adoption into heraldry is a consequence.
It is not modeled on any special type of natural snake . A stylized snake is used in the coat of arms, which fulfills the heraldic wishes of the bearer of the coat of arms. It can be crowned , with an arrow- pointed or forked tongue, curled , knotted or just surrounded by other heraldic figures . The snake ring, in which the animal bites its own tail, is also popular. In this position she is a symbol of immortality and eternal life. The Aspis fire snake is a badge of the forge. There is no preferred direction in the coat of arms, as with the other heraldic animals. All heraldic colors are possible, but the color rules should be followed.
In some coats of arms the snake resembles a mythical animal . She is then shown with the hind legs of a lion , which is more like the dragon . The snake can also be winged, as in the coat of arms of Lucas Cranach the Elder. Ä. The snake is also often stuck in the beak of other heraldic animals. Example is the stork .
In the coat of arms of the Russian Orlov it is a hydra .
In old coats of arms, the snake had ears and a beak-shaped mouth. Occasionally she was found with a mop of hair.
Examples
- In the coat of arms of Mexico and on the flag , the snake can be seen in the beak of an eagle .
- The car manufacturer Alfa Romeo has combined its company logo with the coat of arms of the city and the Duchy of Milan . Here it is not a coat of arms, but a company logo .
- A snake is also represented on the uniform badge for the Cobra Task Force and the Aesculapian staff .
- The coat of arms of Gutweiler shows u. a. the snake staff as an attribute of the local patrons Cosmas and Damian .
Otwock (Poland)
Gallizien (Austria)
Balsthal (Switzerland)
Bellinzona (Switzerland)
Bissone (Switzerland)
Baja (Hungary)
Makó (Hungary)
See also
Individual evidence
- ↑ a b Gert Oswald : Lexicon of Heraldry. VEB Bibliographisches Institut, Leipzig 1984.
- ^ Walter Leonhard : The great book of heraldic art. Development, elements, motifs, design. 2nd, revised and expanded edition. Callway, Munich 1978, ISBN 3-7667-0345-5 .
