Wolves in Heraldry

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RedWolf
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Wolves in Heraldry

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vrikasatma
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Re: Wolves in Heraldry

Post by vrikasatma »

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.
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RedWolf
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Re: Wolves in Heraldry

Post by RedWolf »

Here are some more websites that I found tonight:

Rampant Wolf:
http://freepages.family.rootsweb.ancest ... ture21.gif

Irish wolf crest from the 18th century:
http://www.spencermarks.com/assets/imag ... _crest.jpg

McQuillan Arms (Ireland)
http://mcquillans.net/assets/images/mcquillanarms.jpg

Gallic Coin (Pre-Roman Celtic)
http://imagedb.coinarchives.com/img/leu ... b00088.jpg
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