It is not a dragon (that's the path I was going down at first also). It is a salamander and was the personal badge or emblem of Francis I of France (1494-1547, reigned from 1515 to 1547).
You are not allowed to view links.
Please Register or Login
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francis_I_of_France.
The flames around the salamander are symbolic of its supposed association with fire (i.e. being fire proof and able to either live in fire or to be born of fire). This legend is probably based on the "fire salamander" which likes to hibernate on logs. When these were thrown onto a fire the salamander would wake up and suddenly appear in the fire.
As for wolfy's theory that it is a replica of an old coin, I haven't found a French coin yet that has that particular design---doesn't mean it doesn't exist....just that I haven't found it ---just like I haven't found another picture of that button.
BA
Linkback: You are not allowed to view links.
Please Register or Login
http://www.thunting.com/smf/index.php/topic,20693.msg149367.html#msg149367
|
|
Logged
|
|
