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A wyvern (or wivern) (pronounced /ˈwaɪvərn/) is a legendary winged reptilian creature often found in medieval heraldry. Its usual blazon is statant (standing). Its origin is in Europe. A wyvern is a type of heraldic dragon. ... Image File history File links Question_book-3. ... A legendary creature is a mythological or folkloric creature (often known as fabulous creatures in historical literature). ... Reptilia redirects here. ... The Middle Ages formed the middle period in a traditional schematic division of European history into three ages: the classical civilization of Antiquity, the Middle Ages, and modern times. ... Heraldry in its most general sense encompasses all matters relating to the duties and responsibilities of officers of arms. ... This is an article about Heraldry. ...

The name "wyvern" derived from the Saxon word Wivere, which means "serpent". The French wyvern is known as the Vouivre. Both words are etymologically related to viper. Old Saxon, also known as Old Low German, is a Germanic language. ... Synonyms Viperae - Laurenti, 1768 Viperini - Oppel, 1811 Viperidae - Gray, 1825[1] The Viperidae are a family of venomous snakes commonly referred to as vipers, although the term viperids is more specific and distinguishes them from the viperines (subfamily Viperinae). ...

The wyvern is regarded as a type of dragon. Depictions often include two legs and two wings^[1]. Sometimes there are eagle's claws on the wingtips. The rest of its appearance can vary, such as appearing with a tail spade or with a serpent-like tail. For other uses, see Dragon (disambiguation). ...

Variants of the wyvern include the sea-wyvern, which has a fish-like tail. The wyvern has a similar appearance to another mythical creature, the cockatrice. Cockatrice A cockatrice is a legendary creature, an ornament in the drama and poetry of the Elizabethans (Breiner). ...

Heraldry and symbolism

Wyverns can symbolise envy, war, pestilence, and viciousness.^[2]

However, they are common in heraldry. The wyverns' symbolism is nobler in this aspect. Wyverns have been depicted in heraldry on shields and banners for hundreds of years. They are a sign of strength to those who bear the symbol. They also symbolise power and endurance. Heraldry in its most general sense encompasses all matters relating to the duties and responsibilities of officers of arms. ...

Stephen Friar speculates that the wyvern entered British heraldry as the standard of the Roman cohort and later appeared as the "burning dragon" of Cadwallader (the origin of the red dragon of Wales).^[3] Cadwaladr ap Cadwallon ( 633–682, reigned from 655) (Latin: Catuvelladurus; English: Cadwallader), also known as Cadwaladr Fendigaid (the Blessed) was a king of Gwynedd. ... This article is about the country. ...

The wyvern was the emblem of the rulers of Wessex and the word "Wyvern" is associated with the many areas of Wessex, reflected in many county and town heraldries of the South West and west of England. It also has been used farther afield in Herefordshire and Worcestershire, as the rivers Wye and Severn run through Hereford and Worcester respectively. Therefore, the wyvern is often used as a mascot in the west and south west. For example, one of the local radio stations is called Wyvern FM, and its first logo, in 1982, featured a wyvern dragon. An emblem consists of a pictorial image, abstract or representational, that epitomizes a concept - often a concept of a moral truth or an allegory. ... For the helicopter, see Westland Wessex. ... For the helicopter, see Westland Wessex. ... For other uses, see England (disambiguation). ... For the similarly named county in the East of England, see Hertfordshire. ... For the condiment, see Worcestershire sauce. ... River Wye and Lancat and Ban y Gore Nature Reserve The Wye at Hay-on-Wye The Wye at Tintern This article is about the river that flows along the Anglo-Welsh border. ... The Severn is the name of a river in the United Kingdom. ... For other uses, see Hereford (disambiguation). ... This article is about the city of Worcester in England. ... Wyvern FM is a radio station broadcasting to Herefordshire and Worcestershire in the United Kingdom. ... For other uses, see Logo (disambiguation). ...

Wyvern crest surmounting the arms of the Midland Railway at Derby Midland railway station (see text)

Wyverns in the emblem of Leyton Orient F.C., (based in East London)

A wyvern in the arms of Alpha Chi Sigma, a professional chemistry fraternity

The "dragon" in the logo of the Dragon School, Oxford, is what would now be described as a wyvern

Other British

• A golden wyvern was featured on the flag of King Harold Godwinson of England and is depicted in the Bayeux Tapestry.^[4]
• The 43 (Wessex) Division in WW1 and WW2 and latterly the 43 (Wessex) Brigade of the British Army have a golden wyvern as their symbol, worn on the left shoulder of the uniform.
• Vauxhall had a model in its range in the 1950s called the Wyvern.

Commonwealth

• A wyvern appears on the crest of Queen's College (University of Melbourne).
• The Wyvern sits upon the crest of King's College, University of Queensland. The all male college embraces it and each student is taught to embody the spirit of the Wyvern. This is often exampled with a cry of "All Hail the Great Wyvern". The word "Wyvern" is also used as a euphemism in many social situations.
• The Wyvern also sits upon the crest of Wesley College Dublin, Ireland, and also on the shield of Wesley College, Perth (upper right-hand quarter).
• The Wyvern is part of the crest of Newington College, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. One of the preparatory schools is named Wyvern House.

United States of America

• A red wyvern rampant is the school mascot of Saint Francis High School in Louisville, Kentucky.
• The Distinctive Unit Insignia and arms of the U.S. 37th Armor Regiment are charged with a legless wyvern.
• The Wyvern is the mascot for Kingswood-Oxford School.
• The Wyvern Club was a club founded by several New Orleans men, which met at Antoine's Restaurant in New Orleans.

Image File history File links Midland_arms. ... Derby Midland Station (often called Derby Station) is a main line railway station serving the city of Derby in England. ... Image File history File links This is the current logo or badge of Leyton Orient Football Club a professional soccer club playing in Englands Football League. ... Leyton Orient F.C. are an English professional football team from east London, currently playing in League One of the Football League. ... East London area East London is the name commonly given to the north eastern part of London, England on the north side of the River Thames. ... Alpha Chi Sigma Coat of Arms COPYRIGHT NOTICE. Copyright © 2004 Alpha Chi Sigma Fraternity, Inc. ... Alpha Chi Sigma (ΑΧΣ) is a professional fraternity specializing in the field of chemistry. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Dragon School logo School House at the Dragon School, on Bardwell Road. ... This article is about the city of Oxford in England. ... Harold II of England (Harold Godwinson); c. ... For other uses, see England (disambiguation). ... The Bayeux Tapestry (French: Tapisserie de Bayeux) is a 50 cm by 70 m (20 in by 230 ft) long embroidered cloth which depicts the events leading up to the 1066 Norman invasion of England as well as the events of the invasion itself. ... For information about the football team see Vauxhall Motors F.C. Vauxhall Motors is a UK car company. ... Queens College Queens College is a residential College affiliated with the University of Melbourne providing accommodation to 218 students who are attending the University of Melbourne, RMIT University and Monash Universitys Victorian College of Pharmacy. ... This article is being considered for deletion in accordance with Wikipedias deletion policy. ... Wesley College is a fee-paying coeducational secondary school for day-pupils and boarders in Dublin, Ireland. ... Wesley College, informally known as Wesley, is an independent School for boys situated in South Perth, a suburb of Perth, Western Australia. ... Newington College is an independent, Uniting Church, day and boarding school for boys, located in Stanmore, an inner-western suburb of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. ... This article is about the metropolitan area in Australia. ... NSW redirects here. ... Saint Francis High School (also spelled St. ... Louisville redirects here. ... Official language(s) English[1] Capital Frankfort Largest city Louisville Area  Ranked 37th  - Total 40,444 sq mi (104,749 km²)  - Width 140 miles (225 km)  - Length 379 miles (610 km)  - % water 1. ... An M1A1 Abrahms Main Battle Tank. ... Kingswood-Oxford School is a private day school located on Trout Brook Drive in West Hartford, Connecticut. ...

Cryptozoology

Some cryptozoologists have theorized that wyverns are evidence of surviving pterosaurs, a large flying reptile thought to have gone extinct around 65 million years ago.^[5] There are alleged sightings of pterosaurs in remote areas such as the Kongamato in Africa.^[6] There is no evidence to prove these hypotheses or sightings. More probable is that the discovery of fossilized skeletons of long extinct species led people to reconstruct those creatures' appearances, and prehistoric and ancient peoples would not have had any reason to believe the creatures represented by the fossils were all dead. Cryptozoology is the study of rumored or mythological animals that are presumed to exist, but for which conclusive proof does not yet exist; or are generally considered extinct, but occasionally reported. ... Suborders Rhamphorhynchoidea Pterodactyloidea Pterosaurs (TEH-row-sore, winged lizards) were flying reptiles of the clade Pterosauria. ... The Kongamato (breaker of boats) is a reported pterosaur-like creature from the border area of Zambia, Angola and Congo, Suggested identities include a modern-day Rhamphorhynchus, a misidentified bird (such as the very large and peculiar Saddle-billed Stork), or a giant bat. ...

References

1. ^ Pennick, Nigel (1997). Dragons of the West. Capall Bann Publishing
2. ^ The Dragon Stone http://www.polenth.com/myth/europe/wyvern.html Retrieved Apr. 23, 2007.
3. ^ Friar, Stephen (1987). A New Dictionary of Heraldry. London: Alphabooks/A & C Black, p 380. ISBN 0906670446. 
4. ^ Flags of the World: Wessex, England http://www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags/gb-wessx.html Retrieved May 25, 2007
5. ^ Unknown Explorers - Wyvern http://www.unknownexplorers.com/wyvern.php Retrieved Apr.26, 2007.
6. ^ The Wonderful World of Cryptozoology - http://www.rainsnow.org/wod_cryptozoology.htm Retrieved Apr. 26, 2007.

A & C Black is a British book publishing company. ...

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v • d • e Heraldic creatures
Beasts	Bear • Boar • Bull • Camelopard • Hind • Lion • Ox • Stag • Tiger • Wolf
Birds	Cock • Dove • Eagle • Pelican • Rook
Legendary Creatures	Alce • Basilisk • Biscione • Cockatrice • Dragon • Griffin • Keythong • Manticore • Martlet • Opinicus • Phoenix • Salamander • Unicorn • Wyvern
Fish	Dolphinfish • Ged • Luce • Scallop
Others	Bee • Crapaudy • Emmet • Serpent