My only real concern is that in heraldry a panther is something different. In English heraldry it looks like this:
Note that in English heraldry, a panther is always spotted. In zoology, a panther is never spotted.
And in German/Austrian, it looks like this:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/ec/Wappen_Herzogtum_Steiermark.png
I think this may be one case where "panther" has to be qualified with Panthera pardus. Which is ironic considering that in medieval heraldry not only was a panther spotted, but so was a pard, the animal we know as a leopard. (A leo-pard was the product of an adulterous union—the term used in the medieval bestiaries—between a lion and a pard, which is why the leopard was depicted as having a beard like a lion but creeping along on all fours and staring at you like a pard, i.e. a lion passant guardant.)
Joseph McMillan;97441 wrote:
And in German/Austrian, it looks like this:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/ec/Wappen_Herzogtum_Steiermark.png
You betcha!!! :cool:
Thank you Joseph for the reply. So the blazon should become "...a Panther (Panthera Pardus) Rampant Sable…" etc. Now, would it be appropriate to repeat the taxonomic classification for the demi-panther as well?
mjsmith;97443 wrote:
Thank you Joseph for the reply. So the blazon should become "...a Panther (Panthera Pardus) Rampant Sable…" etc. Now, would it be appropriate to repeat the taxonomic classification for the demi-panther as well?
The term "panther" can technically refer to any member of the genus Panthera. It’s generally applied to whatever is in your area.
In Africa and Asia, it means the P.pardus, also known as a leopard.
In South and Central America, it means the P.onca, also known as a jaguar.
In North America (where we don’t have the genus Pathera, it means the Puma concolor, also known as a puma, cougar, or mountain lion.
Since your’s is sable, I’ll alos note that all-black (a form of melanism) tigers (P.tigris) have also been seen.
I see your point, Steven. I guess that I will leave it to the armiger which species he would like to specify for his "Panther" and let you all know what he decides. Thanks again to everyone.
Here is the update to what my friend has ultimately decided on. The blazon:
Shield: Per Chevron Azure and Argent, a Chevron counterchanged between two cross crosslets fitchee’ Argent and a Panther (Panthera Onca) Rampant Sable langued Gules
Crest: Upon a wreath of the colors Argent and Azure, a Demi-panther (Panthera Onca) Sable langued Gules holding in its Dexter paw a lit torch Or and charged on its shoulder with an 8-pointed compass star Argent
Motto: Depend on Me
Here’s the final version of the emblazonment.
http://www.thesupertribe.com/images/EzellArmsFinal.png
Thanks again to everyone for your help!
Did you not show the panther’s tail in the crest on purpose?
It was on purpose. Initially, I was showing the demi-panther mid-torso slid to the left of the torse with the tail coming up behind but the disembodied tail felt just a bit off to me. Instead I slid the panther up and to the right, showing a little leg to fill out the torse space as it is now. In this configuration it didn’t make sense to me to show a tail. I’ve seen demi-charges shown with and without tails so I didn’t feel I was breaking any kind of heraldic rules by omitting it.
Really you need to redraw the panther and lose that bit of leg. That is more egregious than any lack of tail IMO. As far as the arms go, though, they’re certainly nice enough. I’m sure your friend is pleased.
mjsmith;97820 wrote:
a Panther (Panthera Onca) Rampant Sable langued Gules
The taxonomical name must be written with the species in lowercase as “Panthera onca” and is almost always written with the genus abbreviated as just “P.onca”.
Since this big cat is almost universally known as a jaguar, I’m not sure that I can agree with calling it a panther in the blazon.
I’m not sure if you’d be better off with “a Jaguar (P.onca) rampant Sable” or “a Black Jaguar (P.onca) rampant proper.”
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/ec/Black_Jaguar_(Panthera_onca).JPG/320px-Black_Jaguar_(Panthera_onca).JPG http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/72/Black_jaguar.jpg/320px-Black_jaguar.jpg
steven harris;97832 wrote:
I’m not sure if you’d be better off with “a Jaguar (P.onca) rampant Sable” or “a Black Jaguar (P.onca) rampant proper
If the armiger were to specify it as either a Jaguar rampant Sable or a Black Jaguar rampant Proper, then why record the taxonomic name in the blazon at all? Wouldn’t it be redundant at that point? He hadn’t mentioned calling it a Jaguar but I’ll take this suggestion back to the armiger and see what he would like.
Kenneth Mansfield;97826 wrote:
Really you need to redraw the panther and lose that bit of leg. That is more egregious than any lack of tail IMO. As far as the arms go, though, they’re certainly nice enough. I’m sure your friend is pleased.
As its vector art, redrawing it is easy enough. I’ll see what I can do about making that change and see what my friend thinks of this as well. Thanks again gentlemen.
Well, the answer to one question came across quickly enough.
Quote:
Panther, Jaguar, whatever, as long as (it is clear that it is) a big black (ferocious) cat. I certainly do not want that image of a (panther) with multi-colored spots and flames coming out of it’s mouth & ears.
Now to just clarify whether calling it a Jaguar or a Black Jaguar would really require the taxonomic name.
Given that there is a creature in the heraldic realm known as a panther which is not the panther of the animal realm, is there any objection so simply calling it a jaguar rampant Sable and leaving the species name off of it? I doubt anyone would try to put a car in there.
Jaguar is a specific species so I wouldn’t see the need for the taxonomic name. It’s not like saying, a swan (which is a genus name) and thus having to specify what species of swan.
Black jaguars are commonly referred to as black panthers, and I think that name would be more easily recognized than black jaguar. Even though they are the same thing, the latter phrase isn’t really encountered… at least I haven’t.
If you use panther, then you absolutely have to include the taxonomic name, not only because of the heraldic alternative, but because two other big cats are also sometimes known as panthers depending on where you live.
I would go with a black panther (P. onca) proper.
I updated the emblazonment to include a tail on the demi-panther/jaguar. Might have to hit CTRL+F5 to see the revisions above.
