Animals Gripping A Ball

 
Chuck Glass
 
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Chuck Glass
Total Posts:  265
Joined  12-06-2007
 
 
 
29 April 2010 19:06
 

I’ve seen many arms, especially crests, which have animals gripping balls.  My own arms have this as well, with a bull "gripping" a ball as best as one could.  We have this in our arms because in eastern symbolism, a depiction of an animal gripping a ball served as notice to outsiders that family members were practitioners of the martial arts.  What significance does this have in western heraldry?

 
Joseph Staub
 
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Joseph Staub
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Joined  26-08-2006
 
 
 
29 April 2010 23:10
 

Dear Mr. Glass,

That is very interesting. As you may know, I am kicking around ideas for a thesis on heraldry.  May I trouble you for a reference or two on the eastern symbolism of an animal gripping a ball?

 

Regards,

 
Alexander Liptak
 
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Alexander Liptak
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Joined  06-06-2008
 
 
 
30 April 2010 00:20
 

I have always assumed that in British heraldry, where arms and crests need be unique, you see animals holding various charges merely to distinguish one achievement from another.  So the charge would naturally be something relative, roundel or not.

It seemed more common in Southeastern Europe to see a roundel and sphere, to my reckoning.

 
Kenneth Mansfield
 
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Kenneth Mansfield
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Joined  04-06-2007
 
 
 
30 April 2010 12:34
 

I thought it was because it made the table leg more stable.