Effigy Question

[DeCalmont]

This is just to answer a nagging question of mine.

What is the significance (if any) of placing the feet of an effigy upon what usually looks like a heraldic beast?

Thanks for any answers

[Konstantin the Red]

It's considered to be symbolic of the decedent's virtues: a lion for courage, a dog for loyalty. These are the top two. Sometimes you'll see a unicorn. There is no known instance of some armiger surviving five or six shipwrecks and getting an effigy with a duck.