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

heraldry Heraldry is a discipline relating to the design, display and study of armorial bearings (known as armory), as well as related disciplines, such as vexillology, together with the study of ceremony, Imperial, royal and noble ranks, rank and genealo ...

Appearance

Amphipteres generally were said to have light-colored feathers like a sunrise, a serpentine body similar to a lindworm,

bat Bats are flying mammals of the order Chiroptera (). With their forelimbs adapted as wings, they are the only mammals capable of true and sustained flight. Bats are more agile in flight than most birds, flying with their very long spread-out ...

-like wings with feathers covering most of the forearm and often greenish in coloration, and a long tail much like a

wyvern The wyvern ( ), sometimes spelled wivern ( ), is a type of mythical dragon with bipedalism, two legs, two wings, and often a pointed tail. The wyvern in its various forms is important in heraldry, frequently appearing as a mascot of schools an ...

's tail. Others are described as entirely covered in feathers with a spiked tail,

bird Birds are a group of warm-blooded vertebrates constituting the class (biology), class Aves (), characterised by feathers, toothless beaked jaws, the Oviparity, laying of Eggshell, hard-shelled eggs, a high Metabolism, metabolic rate, a fou ...

-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

supporter In heraldry, supporters, sometimes referred to as ''attendants'', are figures or objects usually placed on either side of the shield and depicted holding it up. Historically, supporters were left to an individual's free choice and were assu ...

s, as do those of the Duke of Tresmes and Duke of Gesvres.

Modern fiction

Amphipteres appear in other modern fictional works. * The ''

Dragonology ''Dragonology'' is a series of books for children and young adults about dragons, written in a non-fictional style. The series contains information on dragons, including about how to befriend and protect them as well as an alphabet of the dragon ...

'' series of books employ a

conceit An extended metaphor, also known as a conceit or sustained metaphor, is the use of a single metaphor or analogy at length in a work of literature. It differs from a mere metaphor in its length, and in having more than one single point of contact be ...

that dragons are real and that the amphithere is a species that inspired myths about Quetzalcōātl. * In the ''

Digimon , short for "Digital Monsters" ( ''Dejitaru Monsutā''), is a Japanese media franchise, which encompasses virtual pet toys, anime, manga, video games, films, and a trading card game. The franchise focuses on the eponymous creatures who inhabit a ...

'' franchise, Airdramon is modeled after an amphiptere. * In the 2021 film '' Godzilla vs. Kong'', Kong fought against Amphiptere-type creatures called ''Warbats'' in the

Hollow Earth The Hollow Earth is a concept proposing that the planet Earth is entirely hollow or contains a substantial interior space. Notably suggested by Edmond Halley in the late 17th century, the notion was disproven, first tentatively by Pierre Bougue ...

. * In the board game ''Wyrmspan'', a dragon themed card/engine building game based on ''Wingspan'', several playable dragon cards are classified as amphitptere.

References

European dragons Legendary serpents Heraldic beasts {{Heraldry-stub

Appearance

Usage

Modern fiction

See also

References