[MR] Urgent Heraldry Question

[Dave Montuori]

On Wed, 3 Nov 2004, Liam Welwyn wrote:
> If someone has listed for his/her device " and a Phoenix Or" as the 
> only description of the phoenix, how should the phoenix be displayed 
> (aside from the obvious answer of "in gold")?

> Is the head facing a certain way, should the body be positioned a 
> certain way, what visible differentiation is there for a phoenix from 
> some other bird?

The bird is "displayed" meaning facing front with one wing to either side 
of the body. Phoenix wings are generally "elevated" with the tips of the 
wings towards the top, to keep the wings away from the flames near the 
bottom. Helps with identifiability.

Head would typically face dexter (to the painter's left).

The legs (and sometimes the bottom of the body) of the phoenix are 
overlain by the flames that the phoenix is rising from.

Hope this helps some...

Evan, who has been accused of knowing a little about armory in the past