Lion-Rampant-Weathervane

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Lion of St. Mark weathervane

Wild Animal

Lion Weathervane

Griffin Weathervane

Lion Rampant Weathervane, gilded version, photo

Lion Rampant Weathervane

Gilded Version

Lion Rampant Weathervane Pricing

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Lion Rampant weathervane

Lion Rampant Weather Vane

with Belgian Flag

Lion Rampant Weather Vane

with Belgian Flag, Detail

The Lion Rampant Weathervane featured above was made for a customer in the Santa Barbara area. It is quite large, six feet from top to bottom, but the house it is going on is quite large as well. The entire weather vane has been gilded. This Lion has translucent topaz colored eyes. Gilded weathervanes look spectacular all day long, but are at their most beautiful around dusk when the sky has begun to darken.

Our Lion Rampant weathervane (above right) was originally commissioned by a lady from Scotland. The lion rampant is a powerful image, which traditionally symbolizes bravery, valor, strength, and royalty, since it is often regarded as the king of beasts. In the Rampant position the body of the lion is roughly vertical, forepaws raised to strike (or to display the claws to best advantage). The lion may stand on both hind legs, braced wide apart, or on only one, with the other also raised to strike.

We have made several versions of this design in many sizes ranging from a small one-foot sculpture piece to a magnificent six-foot version. The size you select depends on where you wish to display it. A small version of the Lion Rampant would be appropriate as an indoor sculpture piece, on a deck railing, or small structure such as a wishing well or garden shed. The six-foot version was made to go atop a 17,000 square foot home with a third story tower. Versions of our Lion Rampant weathervane have made their homes in Washington state, Salt Lake City, North Carolina, a bed and breakfast Inn on Cape Cod and up and down our home state of California.

We have made the Lion Rampant bearing the Flag of St. Andrew, the patron saint of Scotland, the Cross of St. George, the national flag of England and even a version with the Belgian Flag! Because our weathervanes are made to order, our customers can select the banner of their choice as well as the Lion’s eye color. Many of customers have opted for optional gold and/or palladium (silver colored) leaf. The Lion Rampant weather vane featured against the black background was entirely gold leafed. Other good choices for gilding are the Fleur de Lys, the cross on the banner, the lion’s mane, claws and tail sections. Our customers can pick and choose among these selections to arrive at the combination that works best for them. In addition, our customers get to select the eye color from our selection of translucent glass jewels.

Heraldic Quadrupeds Definitions:

at bay (of prey): standing on four feet

at gaze (of prey): standing on four feet, gardant

couchant (of predators): lying on the ground, head raised

courant: running: body horizontal, all four feet raised

dormant: sleeping: lying on the ground, head lowered

gardant: head turned to face the viewer

lodged (of prey): lying on the ground, head raised

passant (of predators): walking: standing on three feet, one forefoot raised

rampant: standing on left hind foot, other feet raised to fight; this is the most frequent position for lions and the like, typically omitted in early blazon

reguardant: head turned back over its shoulder

salient (of predators): leaping, both hind feet planted

segreant: like rampant, but applied to winged quadrupeds such as griffins

sejant erect: sitting on hindquarters, forefeet raised

sejant: sitting on hindquarters, forefeet planted

springing (of prey): leaping, both hind feet planted

statant (of predators): standing on four feet

trippant (of prey): walking: standing on three feet, one forefoot raised

Heraldry in its most general sense encompasses all matters relating to the duties and responsibilities of officers of arms. Historically, it has been variously described as “the shorthand of history”, “the floral border in the garden of history” and "future-proofed branding" . To most, though, heraldry is the practice of designing, displaying, describing, and recording coats of arms and badges. The origins of heraldry lie in the need to distinguish participants in combat when their faces were hidden by iron and steel helmets. Eventually a system of rules developed into the modern form of heraldry.

Heraldic Attitude of animals

The position, or attitude, of the creature's body is also described.

By default, the charge faces the left, as seen by the viewer; this would be forward on a shield worn on the left arm (leaving the right hand to hold a weapon).

The head of an animal guardant faces the viewer,
The head of an animal reguardant faces the right, as seen by the viewer.

Certain features of an animal are often of a contrasting tincture. The charge is then said to be armed (claws and horns), langued (tongue), pizzled (penis), attired (antlers), unguled (hooves), crined (horse's mane) of a specified tincture.

At the time the order is placed, a deposit of 1/3 is due. Upon receipt of the deposit, time will be reserved in our schedule. The balance is due when the weather vane has been completed and prior to shipping. Deposits can be made with Visa, MasterCard or check.

If you have a website that features Heralds, please contact us about exchanging web links.

MYTHOLOGICAL WEATHERVANES LION WEATHER VANE