Heraldic Pictures

Manannan the sea deity

A piece of artwork produced for me by Danilo Carlos Martins of Sao Paolo Brazil which brings together the various elements (shield, crest and badge) from my heraldic achievement. The scene is of Manannan on the shore at Killiney with the obelisk in the background and the slopes covered in furze (gorse). 

I tried to incorporate as many characteristics of Manannan as I could from Irish mythology. He had a trusty white horse called 'Enbarr of the Flowing Mane'. The horse could gallop across the waves of the sea as if they were solid ground. He had a chariot called Scuabtuinne (Sweeper of the Waves) drawn by the powerful horse Enbarr. Manannan used this chariot to transport beings from the mortal world to the Otherworld, of which he was Guardian. The boat could even grow to accommodate any number of passengers. Alternatively, it is written that he had a magical boat which travelled without sails or oars. It obeyed the thoughts of those who sailed in it.

Manannan had a famous great cloak 'Féth Fíada' which could change to any colour he wanted. He could shroud himself in mist and disappear from his enemy’s sight. He had a sword named Fragarach ('Answerer') that could slice through any armour or shield and, upon command, when pointed at someone, could make them answer any question truthfully. It was an all-powerful sword, a wound from which no enemy could survive. He wore a breastplate which no weapon could pierce. Manannán was married to the fairy woman Fand, whose incredible beauty was known throughout the world and who had started life as a sea-bird. 

Men of the Red Dragon

A new piece of artwork being produced which will show a series of historical figures with shields and tunics of the red dragon.

Dragons in trees!

A couple of pieces of artwork produced for a bit of fun which show an imagined story combining the oak tree and a red Chinese dragon. First one by Tuomas Poutianen of Finland, the second by Brian Abshier of the US.