Billy goat (heraldic animal)

Principality of Abkhazia , 18th century

The goat and the goat have a heraldic animal in heraldry established. For this common figure many names are in use: As a goat or billy goat , cow or bitch Bock one calls this horned animal.

Design and blazon

Whether the female or male animal of the domestic goat is depicted is of secondary importance in heraldry - in contrast to the sheep , where the lamb represents meekness or Jesus , while the ram represents strength and assertiveness.

The billy goat is shown in the basic position to the right . He can be shown running or jumping, but also upright. Its Reinforcement , so horns, hooves and tongue, can a different color ( tinged be). The animal appears as a shield holder and also erupting or growing in the upper coat of arms . The representation of only the horns is also popular .

Confusion with the ram , but also the chamois , the ibex and other horns are possible in heraldry. The description of the coat of arms must clarify it. A typical characteristic is generally the goatee .

• Keeping the billy goat
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  An ancient depiction, reminiscent of heraldic lions in its formal language : In blue, a golden goat (an even more dynamic form: in the Geta coat of arms (Åland) )

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  standing, naturalistic: in blue a gold-horned and hoofed, silver goat (coat of arms of Blaubach )

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  erect, in natural form (heraldic pattern)

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  Coat of arms of Lublin , erected on the vine

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  In the same position under a crown of St. Stephen : Kecskemét

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  Großbockenheim emblazoned: rising - cf. Bockenheim on the Wine Route

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  striding, strongly stylized: in blue a golden, red horned and hoofed goat (heraldic pattern)

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  Bock head, right- facing in a golden shield: Beuren (near Nürtingen) ( Geißbeuren )

• to form
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  Divided above, armed with a glove and halberd ( Kožlany )

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  wrapped in cloth on the right , a goat's head in the shield on the left ( Nowogrodziec )

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  The goat eagle , flame- coated ( similar to a dragon , Schwarzenborn )

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  winged billy goat

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  Ziegenhain (Schwalmstadt) ; Rooster with a goat's head

use

He has been known in the coat of arms of Hälsingland (Sweden) since 1560 . An earlier depiction of the coat of arms cannot be ruled out.

In some coats of arms the billy goat is talking. Examples are the coat of arms of Ziegenrück , Bockenheim an der Weinstrasse , Geiswiller , Hohegeiß , Caprarola (Viterbo) or Boxholm (Sweden).

Web links

Commons : billy goat in heraldry  - collection of images