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A Publication of Armorial Gold Heraldry |
HAPPY NEW YEAR |
THE TOUCAN mystic symbol and a tribal totem
This beautiful and colourful rainforest bird has been associated with evil spirits, and said to be the incarnation of a demon; the father of a new child must not eat Toucan flesh as it might bewitch the new-born child and cause it to fade away…so the myth goes. The Spanish weren't too sure what to think of the bird, but they did give it its name.
Sacred to the Incas and revered by the Maya, the Toucan was a mystic symbol and a tribal totem; the medicine men considered it an incarnation to fly to the spirit world. THE TREFOIL A three-leaved figure usually slipped at the base and symbolic of perpetuity. The green trefoil is considered by many to be a symbol of Ireland. |
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TORTOISE
Once prized as a major source of meat for sailors in the 17th and 18th centuries, the Tortoise is a symbol of longevity, patience and practicality; strength and time. It is also one of independence because it takes its home with it and is well protected.
The name Tortoise (Lat. testuoo) is given to the ancient Roman protective shelter formed by soldiers with shields overlapping above their heads when attacking a fort.
As the feminine power of the waters the Tortoise was an emblem of Aphrodite/Venus; also of Hermes/Mercury in Greco-Roman myth; sacred to 'pan' among the Arcadians and killing it was prohibited.
Also, because of its hard shell, it was representative of one who was invulnerable to attack. |
ST IGNATIUS St Ignatius is the patron Saint of soldiers and Jesuits ST IGNATIUS Bishop of Antioch, was the disciple of St. John. When Domitian persecuted the Church, St. Ignatius obtained peace for his own flock by fasting and prayer. But for his part he desired to suffer with Christ, and to prove himself a perfect disciple. In the year 107, Trajan came to Antioch, and forced the Chris¬tians to choose between apostasy and death. "Who art thou, poor devil," the emperor said when Ignatius was brought before him," who settest our commands at naught? ", "Call not him' poor devil,'" Ignatius an¬swered, "Who bears God within him?" And when the emperor questioned him about his meaning, Ignatius ex¬plained that he bore in his heart Christ crucified for his sake. Thereupon the emperor condemned him to be torn to pieces by wild beasts at Rome. St. Ignatius thanked God, Who had so honored him, "binding him in the chains of Paul, His apostle." He journeyed to Rome, guarded by soldiers, and with no fear except of losing the martyr's crown. He was de¬voured by lions in the Roman amphitheatre. The wild beasts left nothing of his body, except a few bones, which were reverently treasured at Antioch, until their removal to the Church of St. Clement at Rome, in 637. After the martyr’s death, several Christians saw him in vision standing before Christ, and interceding for them. Reflection: Ask St. Ingnatius to obtain for you the grace of profiting by all you have to suffer, and rejoicing in it as a means of likeness to your crucified Redeemer. |
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