Alphyn

The alphyn is a rare heraldic creature. It is much like a heraldic tyger, but stockier and with tufts of hair covering its body, and also has a thick mane and long thin tongue.^[1] Another notable characteristic is its knotted tail, reminiscent of Celtic design and similar to that of the griffin.^[2] Sometimes it is depicted as having an eagle's^[2] or dragon's talons on its forelegs, other times they are cloven, like a goat's. Occasionally all four feet are depicted as having the claws of a lion. In English heraldry, the alphyn was used as a heraldic badge of the Lords de la Warr, and also appeared on the guidon held by the knight in the Milleflour Tapestry in Somerset.

A heraldic alphyn

The word alphyn has been previously identified with the Middle English word alfin, which refers to the bishop in chess and ultimately comes from the Arabic الْفِيل al-fīl, meaning "the elephant," as the bishop was formerly represented by an elephant-shaped piece. However, Williams (1989) argues that the alphyn does not at all resemble an elephant, and elephants themselves are not uncommon in heraldry. Williams instead suggests that as a hybrid animal, the alphyn is related to the heraldic enfield and ultimately sourced from the mythical Irish onchú.^[3]

See also

• Attitude (heraldry)
• Charge (heraldry)
• History of England