Wolves in Heraldry
Posted: Sat Oct 18, 2008 10:08 pm
The two wolves facing each other "wrestling" are indeed having a conflict.
The heraldic term is "rampant combatant" and it's pretty rare to see it on a coat of arms. When it's seen, it's usually not paw-to-paw but the two combatants are in contest over an item, such as a sword.
There's also another heraldic device called "ravissant." It shows the wolf running away with a fawn or a lamb in its jaws or on its back. It's mostly seen in Spanish heraldry. I've been wanting to carve a carousel wolf with a lamb behind the saddle.
I love the site you mentioned. The demi-wolf in that shield has a great expression! Not fierce, but playful. He looks like he's bouncing up against a door (or a person) to knock it open. I used to have that as an avatar on another site I was on.
Good topic! I have Burke's Heraldry tucked somewhere amongst my bookshelves but I haven't cracked it in ages.
