Heraldic Beasts

HERALDIC BEASTS
Name	Meaning	Image	Irish Example

  

Lion	Fierce Courage. In Ireland the Lion represented the 'lion' season, prior to the full arrival of Summer. The symbol can also represent a great Warrior or Chief.		Lawlor Dillon Condon
Tiger	Fierceness and valour
Fish	Of Regal origin, one of high nature. In Ireland the Fish is associated with the legend of Fionn who became the first to taste the 'salmon of knowledge'. The Celtic 'Otherworld' was often a place of water, a lake or sea, where would dwell Gods represented by fish.		Roche O'Neill
Bear	Fierce Protection		McKee
Wolf	Perseverance in siege or effort		Callaghan Wilson
Leopard	Valiant and enduring warrior		Wheeler Price Rice
Horse	Readiness for duty		O'Halloran Rush
Bull	Valour and magnanimity		Buckley
Boar	Fierce fighter, fights to the death. In Ireland the boar is one of the most popular charges. The meat of the boar was considered to be food of the Celtic Gods. The symbol of the boar was worn in battle as a charm against injury.		Hanley Sweeney
Boars Head	Hospitality		Pierce Healy
Conies (Hares and Rabbits)	Peace-loving		Gaffney
Fox	Wise defence, wisdom
Dog (Talbot, Greyhound)	Courage, fidelity, loyalty		Allen Gaffney
Dolphin	Affection, charity		O'Regan
Tortoise	Invulnerability		Conlon
Griffin	Valiant soldier - to the death, Vigilance. In Ireland the worship of the sun in pre-Christian times was often represented by the Griffin. It later became a symbol of gold - 'yellow light'.		Lowe Griffin
Dragon	Valiant defender		McGillycuddy
Stag, Buck or Deer	Skillful, Politic, lover of harmony. In Ireland the Stag was one of the most ancient of charges and was regarded as the most handsome. The Stag represents the very ancestors of the Celtic race.		Green Hennessy
Snake.	Wisdom. In Ireland the Snake was a symbol of fertility and renewal, and also, because of its forked tongue, was associated with lightning and the sun.		Donovan Hayes O'Dea