Heraldic Lion

, from the Echternach Gospels (late 7th century).]] ().]] (), a rare example of a preserved 13th-century knightly shield, displaying the Ludovingian lion barry.]] under Hetumid dynasty (1226–1341).]] in the Wernigerode Armorial (late 15th century), shown as combining the lions of Hesse, Katzenelnbogen and Diez)]] The animal designs in the heraldry of the high medieval period are a continuation of the animal style of the Viking Age, ultimately derived from the style of Scythian art as it developed from c. the 7th century BC. Symmetrically paired animals in particular find continuation from Migration Period art via Insular art to Romanesque art and heraldry. The animals of the "barbarian"…