The Coat of arms of Iceland, or Skjaldamerkið, depicts the four protectors of Iceland (landvættir) standing on a pahoehoe lava block with the Icelandic flag in the front. The bull (Griðungur) is the protector of the southwestern Iceland, the eagle or griffin (Gammur) protects northwestern Iceland, the dragon (Dreki) the northeastern part and the Rock-giant (Bergrisi) is the protector of southeastern Iceland. Great respect was given to these creatures of Iceland, so much that it was a law in the days of the Vikings that no ship should bear grimacing symbols (most often dragonheads on each end of the ship) when approaching Iceland. This was so the protectors would not be spooked unnecessarily. Iceland coat of arms This image depicts a seal, an emblem, a coat of arms or a crest. ... Mythical creatures in old Icelandic literature and stories. ... Look up Lava, ‘A‘a, or Pāhoehoe in Wiktionary, the free dictionary Lava is molten rock that a volcano expels during an eruption. ... Bull or bull has various meanings: Look up bull in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Genera Several, see below. ... Roman griffin, Turkey The griffin (also spelled gryphon, gryphen, griffon, griffen, or gryphin) is a legendary creature with the body of a lion and the head of an eagle with the addition of prominent ears, traditionally termed asss ears. The female has the wings of an eagle. ... Chinese dragon, colour engraving on wood, Japanese Chinese school, 19th Century A dragon is a mythological creature, typically depicted as a large and powerful serpent or other reptile, with magical or spiritual qualities. ... The mythology and legendarium of many different cultures include mythological creatures of human appearance but prodigious size and strength. ... The name Viking is a loan from the native Scandinavian term for the Norse seafaring warriors who raided the coasts of Scandinavia, Europe and the British Isles from the late 8th century to the 11th century, the period of European history referred to as the Viking Age. ... The Oseberg longship (Viking Ship Museum, Norway) Oseberg longship from the front - one of the most stunning expressions of Norse art and craftsmanship A longship tacking in the wind Longships, langskip or drakkar were boats used by the Vikings and Saxons for their raids on coastal and inland settlements. ...

The landvættir also decorate the obverse (front) of the Icelandic króna coins but animals of the ocean (fish, crabs and dolphins) appear on the reverse (back). The Icelandic presidency is the only one who can use an Icelandic flag with the emblem. Those flags are cleaved or triangular shaped. The Coat of Arms comes in many editions but the one displayed here is the most common. Mythical creatures in old Icelandic literature and stories. ... Króna (plural krónur) is the name of the currency used in Iceland. ... Groups Conodonta Hyperoartia Petromyzontidae (lampreys) Pteraspidomorphi (early jawless fish) Thelodonti Anaspida Cephalaspidomorphi (early jawless fish) Galeaspida Pituriaspida Osteostraci Gnathostomata (jawed vertebrates) Placodermi Chondrichthyes (cartilaginous fish) Acanthodii Osteichthyes (bony fish) Actinopterygii (ray-finned fish) Sarcopterygii (lobe-finned fish) Actinistia (coelacanths) Dipnoi (lungfish) A fish is a poikilothermic (cold-blooded) water-dwelling... Phthirus pubis Pubic lice (Phthirus pubis), also known as crabs , are one of the many varieties of lice (singular louse) specialized to live on different areas of different animals. ... This article is about the dolphin mammal. ... In logic (and usually without being paired with reverse), obverse has a meaning close to contrapositive. ... The tricolor flag of France A flag is a piece of coloured cloth flown from a pole or mast, usually for purposes of signalling or identification. ... A modern coat of arms is derived from the medi val practice of painting designs onto the shield and outer clothing of knights to enable them to be identified in battle, and later in tournaments. ...