Dragon - Griffin - Phoenix - Unicorn


Red Dragon on sable field
http://www.rampantliondesigns.com/
shields.html
Perhaps best known of all creatures that emerged from the medieval era is the dragon. The dragon is a creature of otherworldly beauty and despair; of revulsion and, in some cases, hope. Overall, there are two types of dragons - "eastern" dragons which are located in Asia, and "western" dragons which originated in Europe. These European dragons were reincarnations of fear and hate, often becoming incarnations of the devil (which were slain easily when a spear was shoved down their throat). Scales ranging from black to emerald green to blood red were common, as well as a long, serpentine neck and tail complete with a spearhead-like tip. Bat-like wings finished off the creature, some forming a natural cloak while others mimicked the most ragged of shrouds. These dragons are reptilian, and are well known for hoarding treasure, as well as having an appetite for virgin girls.

From a heraldic standpoint, the dragon was a fierce opponent. Its scales were too hard for most swords to cut through, as well as its claws and fangs. On top of all that, the dragon was said to breathe fire - a fact that would make any brave knight think twice before going into battle against one. With these in mind, it may have been a great honor to have received this creature as part of one's crest, as it represented a tough, challenging foe that had only one weakness. It could also be a recognition that the holder of the crest is indeed rich (as dragons are known to have vast hoards of wealth), and protects his wealth fiercely. If a woman received the crest of a dragon, it may be a warning to all who may attempt to woo her, in proclaiming that she is more dangerous than she looks despite all the wealth she may have (Slater 92-93).

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Griffin on vert field
http://badger.cx/heraldry/
roll/default.asp?id=1150
Within medieval heraldry, the lion was a very important and inspiring creature. It was so inspiring that the noble eagle was combined with it to create the Griffin. The griffin has the main body of a lion, yet the beak, eyes, forelegs and wings of an eagle. Throughout medieval legend, they were known to be guardians of gold and hidden treasure. Because of this, it wouldn't have been uncommon to hear of a lad or knight boast of meeting one of these creatures while out on a quest or journey.

In literature, the gryphon has taken on an even more noble perspective than royalty. They were wise creatures, limited not to just lions and golden eagles, but every wild cat with a flashy pelt and every bird of prey ever seen within the skies. It is suspected that to receive the griffin as a crest would be akin to receiving the dragon, except perhaps being wiser and fierce in battle as well as being rich. However, all the griffons displayed on shields in the Middle Ages were male, and were often depicted wingless. The medieval version of a female griffin remains a mystery today, and is merely guessed at only through a writer's imagination (Slater 93).

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Heraldry Phoenix
http://heraldry.lordkyl.net/glossary/
glossary_p.html
As the lion was the source of the gryphon, sphinx, chimera and various other creatures, the eagle has its share of inspired creatures as well. The most memorable is the phoenix - the "Fire Bird." The phoenix originated as a bird of prey covered in flames, living in the hottest places of the world. It is said that the phoenix builds a nest out of ashes, and dies within it only to be reborn. It is also said that when one lays an egg, it dies as soon as its young hatches as it is reincarnated as its own child. Writers have taken the phoenix and applied its feathers-of-flame to other birds, and is known to be a fiery swan with rainbow-like feathers upon its wings.

Considering these qualities, the family with this crest can be assumed to have long lives. The phoenix itself, however, is a rare sight to see on shields. Since the phoenix is known for rebirth, the knight who bears the fire bird may have earned the honor of bearing the symbol by surviving when all hope is lost, or by being pronounced "dead" officially then returning back to life. (Ie, missing on the battle field and assumed dead, then returning perhaps several months later.) The phoenix can also be seen adorning the signs of towns that have been destroyed during a war or raid and then rebuilt (Fox-Davies 240).

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Unicorn rampant
http://www.zorich.ru/galeris/
/>heraldry/08.htm
The purest and most innocent of all beasts is the unicorn, as seen only upon crests and shields with pure white fur. The only other color besides white upon a unicorn were seen on its mane, hooves and horn which were usually gold. The creature is a cross between a horse, antelope (for the horn), and a lion (for the tail). In legend, it was said that only a pure virgin of high birth could lure a unicorn to the point where it drops its guard.

Because the unicorn was lured by such a woman, the unicorn was usually a representation of Christ. Part of this reasoning was that the creature was pure of heart, and contains magical healing properties and was killed for such. The more this sacred connection grew, the more heraldic artists and authors felt that the Unicorn shouldn't be used on crests and shields. However, by the 16th century, the unicorn became a popular symbol (Slater 93).

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