THE CARNATION

"Symbol of admiration; hope..."

The carnation, was also known as a “Pink”, or "Jove's Flower." The Romans used this flower in their tribute to a beloved god. Symbol of admiration; hope and joy. According to a Flemish custom, a variety of carnation, the pink, was worn by the bride upon the day of her wedding, and the groom was supposed to search her and find it. From this custom, the pink has become a symbol of marriage. In portrait painting, especially of the 15th and 17th cents, when held in the sitter's hand it signifies that the picture commemorates his betrothal.

The carnation often appears in paintings of the Virgin Mary and Jesus, in which Mary holds a carnation out to Jesus, as in the painting by Raphael, "Madonna of the Pinks," or the painting "Madonna of the Carnation" by Albrecht Durer (1516). The pink carnation became the symbol of a mother's undying love. In Christian legend, the pink carnation flower grew where the tears of the Virgin Mary fell at the site of Jesus’ crucifixion. The carnation flower is also the international botanical symbol of Spain and the state flower of Ohio

THE DUCK

A person of many resources with the ability to deal with a difficult or troublesome situations effectively. The Celts, considered ducks as symbols of honesty and simplicity, and to the Chinese they were symbols of conjugal affection and fidelity. As a popular game bird they were also a symbols of hospitality.

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COCKATRICE

A heraldic monster with the head, beak, comb, wattles and legs of a cock, a barbed tongue and the wings, tail and body of a wyvern. It is said the Cockatrice is hatched from a cock's egg by a serpent. Since it had the "Medusa-like" gift of killing anything that looked upon it, the Cockatrice was often depicted as an emblem of protection and used by many who bore it to instil deadly fear on the enemy. It is mentioned in several passages of the bible and is the emblem of terror to all beholders.

THE COW

The Egyptian goddess Hathor was the goddess of fertility and agriculture and she was also known as the cow-goddess. In Norse mythology, the Cow was also a symbol of fertility and a symbol of the goodness that nourishes. It is also a symbol of the harvest.

CHECKY

given to none but valiant Warriors

CHECKY, in French, Eschiquette, is what we call Checker'd, or in Checkers, too well known to need any Description. Terms of Art Colombiere speaking of the Checker says thus: "This Figure is one of the most noble and most ancient' to that are used in Armoury, and ought to be given to none but valiant Warriors in token of their Nobility; for the Chiefs Bond represents a Field of Battle, and the Pawns and Men placed on both sides represent the Soldiers of the two Armies, that move, attack, advance, or retire, according to the Will of the two Gamesters, who are the Generals.

This Figure is always composed of Metal and Colour, and some Authors would have it reckoned among the several sorts of Furs, because formerly there were some Furs' worn in Checkers: When all the Escutcheon is checky, it ought generally to be of six Rows, but there is no need in blazoning to express the same; only it must be observed, to begin to blazon by the first Square.

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FOX:

symbol of the gods of the forests and mountains

In pre-Christian times the Fox was seen as a symbol of the gods of the forests and mountains. This changed in Christian times, to where the Fox was seen as a demonic creature. The Fox appears extensively in myth and fable; it is one of the great tricksters. It was associated with Enki, the Sumerian god (lord of abundance), and Bacchus, god of wine as he considered the Fox the protector of the vines. In Japan, it is a "Spirit of Rain" and an attribute of the rice deity Indari. Synonymous with the terms: tod, reynard or a genet, the Fox is the most famous of tricksters and signifies one who will use all that he may possess of wisdom and wit in his own defence, and denotes one of strategic talents and fertility of resources.

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