From: Benjamin Peterson (ben@jbrowse.com)
Date: Mon Dec 15 2003 - 19:33:17 EST
> The figure has other names besides swastika. In heraldry, The figure is
> called a fylfot or sometimes a gammidion (four gammas arrayed).
<pedant>
The use of 'fylfot' in heraldry is a Victorian affectation. There is
only _one_ pre-Victorian use of this word, in which it appears to mean
exactly what it sounds like -- a motif that fills the foot of a decorated
area.
In heraldry, a field divided according to a swastika shape should be
described as 'ecartele en equerre'. Used as a motif, the swastika can be
called a 'croix gammee', 'croix cramponee', a 'gammadion', or a 'cross
potent rebated' depending on context and preference (this list is not at
all exhaustive).
</pedant>
Disclaimer: I am not a medieval knight.
Not even a little bit on topic, I know -- but then, neither were the last
few dozen posts.
Benjamin
-- Benjamin Peterson bjsp123@imap.cc
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