Masonic, Occult and Esoteric Online Library
Fictitious and Symbolic Creatures in Art
By John Vinycomb
Contents
CONTENTS
PAGE
Introduction 1 Notes on Animated Beings in Heraldic Art 13
The symbolism of Attitude or Position 18
The Heraldic Spirit—Effective decorative Quality essential in Heraldry 22
Celestial Beings 25
Angels 27
Mistaken Modern Conception of Angels 32
Mediæval Art Treatment of Angels 34
Cherubim and Seraphim in Heraldry 44
The Cherubim and Seraphim of Scripture 47
Emblems of the Four Evangelists 53
Chimerical Creatures of the Dragon and Serpent Kind 57
The Dragon 59
The Dragon in Christian Art 69
The Dragon in the Royal Heraldry of Britain 83
The Crocodile as the Prototype of the Dragon 91
The Heraldic Dragon 92
The Hydra 96
The Wyvern 98
The Chimera 102
The Lion-Dragon 103
The Gorgon 103
The Cockatrice 104
Basilisk, or Amphysian Cockatrice 106
The Mythical Serpent 108
The Scorpion 122
Other Chimerical Creatures and Heraldic Beasts 125
The Unicorn 127
Mediæval Conception of the Unicorn 130
The Horn of the Unicorn 133
The Pegasus 137
Sagittary, Centaur, Sagittarius, Centaurus, Hippocentaur 141
Griffin or Gryphon 147
The Male Griffin 160
Other Varieties of the Griffin 161
The Opinicus, or Epimacus 162
The Sphynx 163
The Phœnix Bird of the Sun 171
The Harpy 179
The Heraldic Pelican 182
The Martlet 186
The Alerion 188
The Liver (Cormorant) 189
The Heraldic Tigre or Tyger 190
The Royal Tiger 193
Leopard, or Panther, Felis Pardus, Lybbarde 194
The Panther "Incensed" 199
The Lynx 203
Cat-a-Mountain—Tiger Cat or Wild Cat 205
The Salamander 209
Heraldic Antelope 213
The Heraldic Ibex 215
Bagwyn 216
The Camelopard, Camel-Leopard 216
Musimon, Tityrus 217
The Enfield 217
Mantiger, Montegre or Manticora Satyral 218
Lamia or Emipusa 220
Baphomet 221
Apres 221
Stelliones 221
Fictitious Creatures of the Sea 223
Introductory Notes 225
Poseidon or Neptune 237
Merman or Triton 239
The Mermaid or Siren 243
The Sirens of Classic Mythology 249
The Dolphin of Legend and of Heraldry 254
The Dauphin of France 265
The Heraldic Dolphin 267
The Sea-Horse 270
Sea-Lion 274
Sea-Dog 275
