Wyvern
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A wyvern (or wivern) (IPA: waɪvərn) is a legendary winged reptilian creature often found in medieval heraldry. Its usual blazon is statant (standing). The wyvern can be regarded as a type of or similar to a dragon, possessing two legs and two wings[1]. The rest of its appearance can vary, such as appearing with a tail spade or with a serpent-like tail.
Variants of the wyvern include the sea-wyvern, which has a fish-like tail. The wyvern is similar to another mythical creature, the cockatrice, which in turn is similar to the basilisk.[citation needed]
Wyverns have been described as the one of the larger forms of dragon, so large that they prey on such creatures as elephants and rhinoceroses.[citation needed] Stories about the wyvern are very similar to those about the legendary Arabian bird, the roc.[citation needed]
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[edit] Cryptozoology
Some Cryptozoologists have theorized that Wyverns are evidence of surviving Pterosaurs, but like similar theories about dragons, there is no evidence aside from accounts of surviving pterosaurs in remote areas such as the Kongamato in Africa.[citation needed]
[edit] Wyvern and Symbolisms
In heraldry, the wyvern represents pestilence, conquest, or other such ideas.[citation needed] The wyvern also symbolises strength, power and endurance.
The portmanteau word "Wyvern" is associated with the area of 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 that area. For example, one of the local radio stations is called Wyvern FM, and its first logo, in 1982, featured a wyvern dragon.
- Is on the Distinctive Unit Insignia of the U.S. 37th Armor Regiment.
- A golden wyvern was featured on the flag of Wessex and is depicted in the Bayeux Tapestry.
- 43 'Wessex' brigade of the British Army have a golden wyvern as their symbol, worn on the left shoulder of the uniform.
- The Wyvern is also the insignia on the cap-badge of the Exeter University Officer Training Corps, appearing in front of the three turreted castle.
- The wyvern was the emblem of the rulers of Mercia and was adopted by the Leicester and Swannington Railway and later by the Midland Railway, which ran in Great Britain until 1923. The Midland Railway Centre in Derbyshire, England, publishes a magazine for its members called The Wyvern.
- A pair of wyverns appear on the crest of Magdalene College, Cambridge.
- A wyvern appears on the crest of Queen's College (University of Melbourne).
- A pair of wyverns appear on the club crest of Leyton Orient Football Club (based in East London), who play in the Football League 1.
- A red wyvern rampant is the school mascot of Saint Francis High School in Louisville, Kentucky.
- A wyvern adorns the crest of Alpha Chi Sigma, a professional chemistry fraternity.
- The Wyvern is the mascot for Kingswood-Oxford School.
- Wyvern is the name of the building that houses A Squadron (University of St. Andrews), Tayforth University Officers Training Corps.
- 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 dragon of the Dragon School in Oxford, as portrayed on their crest, is in fact a wyvern.
[edit] Wyverns in popular culture
- See also: Wyvern (disambiguation)
- See also: World of Warcraft
[edit] References
- ^ Pennick, Nigel (1997). Dragons of the West. Capall Bann Publishing
[edit] External links
- Bestiary of Modern Fantasy: Wyvern
- Dave's Mythical Creatures and Places: Wyvern
- Draconika Dragons: Wyverns
Categories: Articles lacking sources from June 2006 | All articles lacking sources | Spoken articles | Articles with unsourced statements since February 2007 | All articles with unsourced statements | Articles with unsourced statements since March 2007 | Legendary creatures | Mythological hybrids | Heraldic beasts | Dragons
