Wyvern

A wyvern (or wivern) is a winged reptilian legendary creature often found in medieval heraldry where the usual blazon is statant (standing). The wyvern is similar to a European dragon, but it differs in that it has only two legs, cannot breathe fire, and has a barbed or snake-like tail. Occasionally, it is said to be smaller than a dragon or to be able to breathe fire. In heraldry, it represents pestilence, conquest, or other such ideas. The wyvern is similar to another mythical creature, the cockatrice also known as a basilisk.

Related Topics:
Reptilian - Legendary creature - Medieval - Heraldry - Blazon - Statant - European dragon - Cockatrice

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Variants of the wyvern include the sea-wyvern, which has a fish-like tail, and the Lindworm, which either has no legs (commonly) or no wings. Of the dragon-like creatures, wyverns are said to be the most feline, having a cat-like intelligence and temperament. During the Middle Ages, they were supposedly the most useful of all dragons to sorcerers, as they had the unique ability to work easily with spells.

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'Wyvern' is also a term used in Herefordshire and Worcestershire to unite the two main cities, as the rivers Wye and Severn run through Hereford and Worcester respectively. For example, one of the local radio stations is called Wyvern FM, and its first logo in 1982 featured a Wyvern dragon.

Related Topics:
Herefordshire - Worcestershire - Wye - Severn - Hereford - Worcester - Wyvern FM - Logo

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A golden wyvern featured on the flag of Wessex and is depicted on the Bayeux Tapestry.

Related Topics:
Wessex - Bayeux Tapestry

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The Wyvern was the emblem of 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

Related Topics:
Emblem - Midland Railway - Great Britain - Midland Railway Centre - Derbyshire - England

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In addition, a pair of Wyverns appear on the club crest of Leyton Orient Football Club (based in east London, England), who play in League 2.

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