Amphiptere

Amphiptere by Edward Topsell (1608)

An Amphiptere (also called Amphithere, Amphitere, or Phipthere; meaning bi-winged, two-winged) is a type of winged serpent found in European heraldry.^[1]

Appearance[]

A heraldic amphiptere

Amphipteres generally were said to have light-colored feathers like a sunrise, a serpentine body similar to a lindworm, bat-like green wings with feathered bone, and a long tail much like a wyvern's. Others are described as entirely covered in feathers with a spiked tail, bird-like wings, and a beak-like snout. Even more uncommon is the description of one with legs.^{[citation needed]}

Usage[]

Amphipteres saw infrequent use as heraldic devices. Amphipteres are present on the arms of the House of Potier, which depict a bendlet purpure between two amphipteres or. The Potier heraldry also uses amphipteres as supporters, as do those of the Duke of Tresmes and Duke of Gesvres.^[2]

Modern fiction[]

Amphitheres feature in the Dragonology series of books, which employ a conceit that dragons are real.^[3] It also appears in Dracopedia: A Guide to Drawing the Dragons of the World.^{[citation needed]} Amphitheres also appear in other modern fictional works.

References[]

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