Heraldic Dictionary - Fish, Insects & Reptiles

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Fish, insects, and reptiles, though not as common, still have their place in heraldry. Unlike modern classifications of fish, heraldic charges considered to be "fish" include dolphins, wales, and other sea creatures. Like birds and beasts, the positioning of fish takes on different forms. The symbol of the bee is probably the most widely used insect in heraldic charges, considered to represent industry. Other insects in use include ants, butterflies, and crickets. Reptiles other than serpents are rare in heraldic charges, with the snake being the most prominent. It's position differs depending on the charge. Other reptiles used in heraldry include toads or frogs and lizards.

Fish &Other Sea Charges

heraldic dolphin naiant	heraldic dolphin hauriant	An heraldic dolphin will always appear enbowed (i.e., curved). If the dolphin is neither naiant nor hauriant, it is simply described as embowed	whelk shell	escallop

whale	salmon	herring	trout	pike or jack (a.k.a. lucy or ged)

eel	lobster		crab	shrimp

Insects

bee volant	A bee might also be found; walking in profile with its wings elevated; perched upon a thistle. The bee appears more often in the crest than as a part of the armorial.	grasshopper	cricket	ants

		butterflies		spider

Reptiles

serpent nowed

A serpent may also be found:
erect (i.e., on its tail);
glissant (i.e., gliding);
encircled with its tail in its mouth,
an ancient symbol of eternity.

The arms of doctors or physicians may include the rod of Æsculapius (i.e., one or two sepernts twined around a staff).

toad or frog

lizard

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Page content last modified
05 May 2000