Ethnographic Arms & Armour - Meaning of decoration creatures

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Meaning of decoration creatures

I wonder if anyone knows the meaning of those creatures sometimes appearing on the crossguards of 16th and 17th century swords. Is it dogs, or monsters/seamonsters (as they are often shown with fish scales - see example on the lower left site), dragons...? And what is their mythological and/or metaphorical meaning?
Would be great if anyone could provide some ideas about it.

Cheers
Andreas

Hi AHorsa,

This kind of animal shaped decoration has always been characteristic of all items of arts and crafts alike, from the Stone Age that laft us small scuptures of mammoths, the Celtic Era, the Ancient Greek and Romen periods, all along through the Middle Ages and right on to the Modern Age which, seen from the view of art history, started in Europe with the Renaissance period around 1500.
From the earliest beginnings, man has considered zoomorphic decorative elements as magic and a spell on animals, so he believed to be sort of being bound for success when hunting animals.

Apart from hunting, and considering the superstitious beliefs of those periods, zoomorphic ornaments also had a strong apotropaic function and, especially with weapons, was employed to fend off evil of any kind from the bearer.
Just think of the gargoyles on Gothic cathedrals.

For more information and lots of samples on 16th and 17th century weapons, please see my threads:

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...hic+apotropaic

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...hic+apotropaic

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...hic+apotropaic

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...hic+apotropaic

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=7457&highlight=zoomorphic+apotropaic

Enjoy reading.

Best,
Michael

Hi Michael,

thanks for the detailed answer!

best
Andi

Hi Andy,

I am both glad and grateful for supporting you, and: Thank you so much for appreceating what I try to achieve.

Best,
Michael

Hi Andy,

I am both glad and grateful for supporting you, and: Thank you so much for appreciating what I try to achieve.

Best,
Michael

Symbolic Mythological or metaphorical creatures

Mythological or metaphorical creatures have spiritual and practical meaning thoughout history and are symbols to bring luck, ward off evil , cleansing, protection , provide strength, sucess, stamina, social status etc... these symbols go back as far as the bronze age and earlier.