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The alphyn is a rare heraldry, heraldic creature. It is much like a Tyger (heraldry), heraldic tyger, but stockier and with tufts of hair covering its body, and also has a thick mane and long thin tongue. Another notable characteristic is its knotted tail, reminiscent of Celtic knotwork, Celtic design and similar to that of the griffin.Heraldry Society. "The Coat of Arms, Volumes 3-6." Johnson Reprint Corporation. University of Minnesota: 1954. Sometimes it is depicted as having an Eagle (heraldry), eagle's or dragon's talons on its forelegs, other times they are cloven, like a goat's. Occasionally all four feet are depicted as having the claws of a Lion (heraldry), lion. In English heraldry, the alphyn was used as a heraldic badge of the Baron de la Warr, Lords de la Warr, and also appeared on the guidon (heraldic flag), guidon held by the knight in the Milleflour Tapestry in Somerset.
The word ''alphyn'' has been previously identified with the Middle English word ''alfin'', which refers to the bishop (chess), bishop in chess and ultimately comes from the Arabic الْفِيل ''al-fīl'', meaning "the elephant," as the bishop was formerly represented by Alfil, an elephant-shaped piece. However, Williams (1989) argues that the alphyn does not at all resemble an elephant, and elephants themselve
are not uncommon in heraldry.
Williams instead suggests that as a hybrid animal, the alphyn is related to the heraldic Enfield (heraldry), enfield and ultimately sourced from the mythical Irish onchú.
The alphyn is a rare heraldry, heraldic creature. It is much like a Tyger (heraldry), heraldic tyger, but stockier and with tufts of hair covering its body, and also has a thick mane and long thin tongue. Another notable characteristic is its knotted tail, reminiscent of Celtic knotwork, Celtic design and similar to that of the griffin.Heraldry Society. "The Coat of Arms, Volumes 3-6." Johnson Reprint Corporation. University of Minnesota: 1954. Sometimes it is depicted as having an Eagle (heraldry), eagle's or dragon's talons on its forelegs, other times they are cloven, like a goat's. Occasionally all four feet are depicted as having the claws of a Lion (heraldry), lion. In English heraldry, the alphyn was used as a heraldic badge of the Baron de la Warr, Lords de la Warr, and also appeared on the guidon (heraldic flag), guidon held by the knight in the Milleflour Tapestry in Somerset.
The word ''alphyn'' has been previously identified with the Middle English word ''alfin'', which refers to the bishop (chess), bishop in chess and ultimately comes from the Arabic الْفِيل ''al-fīl'', meaning "the elephant," as the bishop was formerly represented by Alfil, an elephant-shaped piece. However, Williams (1989) argues that the alphyn does not at all resemble an elephant, and elephants themselveare not uncommon in heraldry.
Williams instead suggests that as a hybrid animal, the alphyn is related to the heraldic Enfield (heraldry), enfield and ultimately sourced from the mythical Irish onchú.
See also
* Attitude (heraldry) * Charge (heraldry) * History of EnglandReferences
Heraldic beasts Mythological hybrids {{heraldry-stub