HERALDRY RAMBLINGS

This month's Tips

Armed. All birds which have talons and bills that aid them to seize and rend their prey, are in blazon said to be armed when those weapons differ in tincture from their bodies. But to swans, wild geese, and other birds without talons, the word armed does not apply. They, in like case, are termed beaked and membered. Beasts are also described as armed, when their horns or hoofs are of another colour than their bodies.

Heads, either of men, beasts, birds, &c, are common bearings in coat armour, and must have their position expressed in the blazon ; in profile, or side-faced ; affronte and guardant, when full-faced ; and reguardant, when looking backwards. The term head, without any addition, implies side-faced, or in profile.

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HARPY

a fabulous monster, represented as a bird with a virgin's face, neck, and breasts, and a vulture's body and legs. The German name for it is 'Jungfraunadler'. The Harpy symbolized vengeance, justice and to some, a symbol of the feminine principle.

MINERVA

Goddess of Wisdom & War

The Roman goddess of wisdom, medicine, the arts, science and trade, and also of war. As Minerva Medica she is the patroness of physicians. The Roman Minerva was especially the protectress of commerce and industry and of schools. It was only later that she assumed the character of a warrior-goddess. The Roman goddess first appeared in Etruria and was perhaps a goddess of the thunderbolt. She was then introduced into the Capitoline Triad, with Jupiter and Juno. According to Roman tradition the cult of Minerva originated in Falerii in 241 BC. One of her earliest temples was built on Mons Caelius and bore the name Minerva Capta. There was, however, a temple already consecrated to Minerva in Rome on the Aventine. According to one tradition Minerva was one of the gods brought to Rome by Numa. Minerva is commonly represented with helmet.

Popular Free Graphic Software Serif Draw for Windows has introduced some changes worth noting. The software was in disfavour when Vista came out as the Free version of Serif would not work with the Vista operating system nor its offspring Windows 7. The new free version is now called the Draw Plus Starter Edition and works with Vista and Windows 7. We should further note that when you have Serif ready to go, to open a wmf file you don't select "open", you use "insert" from file. For those who want to try it out, click on the Serif logo.

The Capitoline Wolf

Romulus and Remus are Rome's twin founders in its traditional foundation myth. They are descendants of the Trojan prince and refugee Aeneas, and are fathered by the god Mars or the demi-god Hercules on a royal Vestal Virgin, Rhea Silvia, whose uncle exposes them to die in the wild. They are found by a she-wolf who suckles and cares for them. The twins are eventually restored to their regal birthright. Although this tale is a legend that many historians believe was created to explain the origin of the name "Rome"...the romantic in us would like to believe it. The full story of the legend can be found on the internet.

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