Amphiptere

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

Amphiptere by Edward Topsell (1608)

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 wings with feathers covering most of the forearm and often greenish in coloration, and a long tail much like a wyvern's tail. Others are described as entirely covered in feathers with a spiked tail, bird-like wings, and a beak-like snout.

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. The Potier heraldry also uses amphipteres as supporters, as do those of the Duke of Tresmes and Duke of Gesvres.^[2]

Modern fiction

Amphipteres appear in other modern fictional works.

• The Dragonology series of books employ a conceit that dragons are real and that the amphithere is a species that inspired myths about Quetzalcōātl.^[3]

• In the Digimon franchise, Airdramon is modeled after an amphiptere.

• In the 2021 film Godzilla vs. Kong, Kong fought against Amphiptere-type creatures called Warbats in the Hollow Earth.^[4]

• In the board game Wyrmspan, a dragon themed card/engine building game based on Wingspan, several playable dragon cards are classified as amphitptere.

See also

• Amphitheatre
• Feathered Serpent
• Lindworm
• Wyvern
• Jaculus
• Winged serpent
• Flying serpent (disambiguation)