Love rope

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The love rope (also love knot or widow's rope ) is an intertwined, strong rope in heraldry . The rope is twisted by generous loops in such a way that it leads to a visually good ornamentation . Representations of love ropes can be found on the escutcheon itself, but also around the shield. If the ends of the rope are visible, they are done with knots or like tassels . The endless ornamentation is preferred.

As a rule, a distinction is made in the designation by the heraldist when the entanglements are clearly visible knots. They are then called the love knots . Knotted love ropes are common for married women and open ropes for widows. In these cases you put everything around the shield. Balls are also pushed onto the love rope and emblazoned as a sliding knot.

The love ropes as a form of rope ornamentation found widespread use in France .

Examples of this (in the form of an eight knot ) can be seen in the Order of the Crown of Italy and in the coat of arms of Contwig .

A rope cross is a cross made from coiled ropes and is also referred to as a coiled cross in heraldry. The term ship's rope cross is heraldically incorrect. According to the heraldry lexicon, no coat of arms with a rope cross is known.

In English heraldry , but not exclusively, many knots are chosen as family symbols. The knots of seafaring and craft form the basis, but are named with the name of the family. Examples are among the many so-called heraldic knots the Bowen knot , Wake knot, Hungerford knot or Hastings knot and Shakespeare knot. The latter reproduces the letters "W" illiam and "S" hakespeare. Often objects are still tied into the knot. The knot shapes are also used in flags.

Examples

  • Commander's Cross (Order of the Crown of Italy)

  • Coat of arms of Contwig with rope ornamentation

  • Ordine di Cipro (o di Lusignano)

  • lambrecchini per le vedove

  • The Dacre family from Gilsland (England) with a tied-in scallop shell

  • Shakespeare knot as a monogram

  • Knot in Italian Heraldry: House of Savoy

  • Knot on a flag

literature

  1. ↑ Michael Göbl: The woman and the coat of arms in the Holy Roman Empire and the Habsburg monarchy. Retrieved January 15, 2020 .
  2. ^ A b Walter Leonhard : The great book of heraldic art. Development, elements, motifs, design. 2nd, revised and expanded edition. Callwey, Munich 1978, ISBN 3-7667-0345-5 .
  3. ↑ Gert Oswald : Lexicon of Heraldry. VEB Bibliographisches Institut, Leipzig 1984.