Amphiptere by Edward Topsell (1608)

Amphiptere (also called Amphithere, Amphitere, or Phipthere; meaning bi-winged, two-winged) is a type of winged serpent found in European heraldry.[1]

Appearance

A heraldic amphiptere

Amphipteres generally were said to have light-colored feathers like a sunrise, a serpentine body similar to a lindworm, bat-like wings with feathers covering most of the forearm and often greenish in coloration, and a long tail much like a wyvern's tail. Others are described as entirely covered in feathers with a spiked tail, bird-like wings, and a beak-like snout.

Usage

Amphipteres saw infrequent use as heraldic devices. Amphipteres are present on the arms of the House of Potier, which depict a bendlet purpure between two amphipteres. The Potier heraldry also uses amphipteres as supporters, as do those of the Duke of Tresmes and Duke of Gesvres.[2]

Modern fiction

Amphipteres appear in other modern fictional works.

  • Amphitheres feature in the Dragonology series of books, which employ a conceit that dragons are real.[3] It also appears in Dracopedia: A Guide to Drawing the Dragons of the World.
  • In the Digimon franchise, Airdramon is modeled after an amphiptere.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Rose, Carol (2000). Giants, Monsters, and Dragons: An Encyclopedia of Folklore, Legend, and Myth. ABC-CLIO. ISBN 978-0874369885.
  2. ↑ Fox-Davies, Charles (October 4, 2019). A Complete Guide to Heraldry. London: T.C. & E.C. Jack. ISBN 9781858910796.
  3. ↑ "Dragonology: The Complete Book of Dragons". Retrieved 7 June 2019.
  4. ↑ Godzilla vs. Kong theater program, 2 July 2021, p. 14
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