Animals

Introduction

[page under construction]

Animals are very commonly shown in heraldry, especially lions, either singly or in combinations. Not only whole animals, but heads are frequently seen, and sometimes other body parts such as legs or tails.

It is convenient to deal with animals in groups, viz:

• Lions
• Deer, wolves, other real animals
• Heraldic Monsters
• Birds
• Fishes

  It should be noted that dolphins are regarded as fishes in heraldry.

There is a whole specialised vocabulary to describe the positions of animals, different for the different groups of animals:

• Postures and positions
  • lions
  • deer etc.
  • birds
  • fishes

Back to the Glossary Contents.

© Gill Smith 1997