Manticore, Germany 15th century

Manticore within a Coat of Arms
Stone vault keystone
Germany, 15th century
Stone
32.5 × 25 × 10 cm

This sculpted heraldic relief depicts a manticore, a mythical creature with a human face, a lion’s body, and a scorpion’s tail, set within a shield. Originating from ancient Persian lore, the manticore (from martiokhoras, “man-eater”) first appears in classical texts by Ctesias of Cnidus, and later by Pliny the Elder and Pausanias. It symbolizes both danger and allure, using its human-like face to deceive prey and striking with deadly force.
In the Middle Ages, the manticore became a prominent figure in bestiaries, manuscripts, and artworks, such as the frescoes of Runkelstein Castle and the Hereford Mappa Mundi. Each part of its body carries symbolic meaning: the lion represents courage and Christ-like strength; wings (when present) echo the dragon’s protective power; the human face suggests cunning and duplicity.
In heraldry, the manticore appeared as early as the late Middle Ages. It was notably used in England by Sir William Hastings (c. 1470) and remained in use until the 16th century as a symbol of martial strength and invincibility.
This keystone reflects the enduring fascination with hybrid creatures and the ways they embodied the fears, values, and imagination of past societies.