Cock and Bull Story Trivia Quiz

Answer: Docility

The cock is most often seen in crests, rather than on shields, although it can be found on both. A couple of examples of the cock being used in heraldry today:

The coat of arms for Kenya has a cock holding an axe. According to the Wikipedia page on it, "The rooster holding an axe while moving forward portrays authority, the will to work, success, and the break of a new dawn."

Another example can be seen with the insignia of the US Air Force's 18th Wing (Kadena Air Force Base, Okinawa Japan), which has a fighting cock on a shield, symbolizing the courage and aggressiveness of the organization.

Answer: Valour, bravery, generosity

The coat of arms for Iceland features a bull, an eagle (or griffin), a dragon and a rock-giant each protecting a corner of the island. The bull's quadrant was the southwestern part of Iceland. Such respect was given to these guardians that for a time Icelandic law said that no ship could have a grimacing figurehead and approach the island.

Another example of a heraldic bull can be found in the crest of the Radcliffe family: "A black bull's head erased ducally gorged and lined gold." (from a site entitled 'Historical Names') The Radcliffe name can be traced back in England to immediately following the Norman Conquest of 1066.

The other choices were the descriptions of an ass (patience and humility), a goat (one who wins through politics rather than war) and an ostrich (willing obedience and serenity).

Answer: Tortoise

Of obvious benefit to a tortoise is its shell, that protects it from most predators. Examples include:

A minor house of Aquila in the Renaissance - the Rostays. Their shield was a tortoise on a gold field strewn with blue knots alternated with daisies, and their motto, appropriately, translated as 'strength and perseverance'.

Another example is the coat of arms of the Cayman Islands, which includes a tortoise on a coil of rope. In this case it doesn't represent invulnerability to attack, but rather the seafaring tradition that surrounds the Cayman Islands.

Answer: Hawk

The hawk (or falcon) is the bird that fulfills 'one who does not rest until objective achieved', which brings to mind a bird of prey circling until they get their kill.

The dove symbolizes 'loving constancy and peace', the duck signifies a 'person of many resources', while the meaning behind the goose is 'resourcefulness'.

An example of a hawk being used in heraldry can be found in the coat of arms of the city of Leduc, Alberta (just south of Edmonton). The crest above the shield is topped by a hawk with wings spread, and it symbolizes the acuity of vision as the city council and citizens look to the future. It also represents the natural heritage of the area.

Answer: Cat: Courage, vigilance, and loyalty

The true meaning behind the heraldic cat is 'liberty, vigilance, forecast, and courage'. The definition given in the question, 'courage, vigilance, and loyalty', belongs to the heraldic dog. It is interesting that 'vigilance' can be found in both, but one hardly ever puts 'loyalty' and 'cat' in the same sentence.

An example can be found in the coat of arms of the city of Coventry in England. The crest atop the coat of arms has a cat, and it is standing as if at guard, symbolizing 'vigilance'.

Answer: Sphinx

The Sphinx is perhaps best known for the story of the riddle asking what begins its life on four legs, then has two, and finally three (man as baby crawling, then walking, then needing a cane), and of course there is the Sphinx at Giza in Egypt. An example in heraldry can be found in the insignia of the US Military Intelligence Branch - appropriate enough, given the idea of 'omniscience and secrecy'.

The Centaur means 'eminence in the field of battle', the phoenix is a symbol of resurrection, while the cockatrice signifies 'terror to all beholders'.

Answer: Stork

Yes, of course the baby-bringing stork would make for one of the heraldic symbols that signify a close parental bond. An example can be found in the Woulfe family crest, originally registered by Thomas Woulfe in 1476 in Ireland. The stork is sable (black) with elevated wings.

Answer: Bee

Is anything quite as efficient and industrious as a beehive? One example of the bee can be found in the coat of arms of the Borough of Luton (northwest of London, England). In addition to the bee, which is in the center of the shield, there is also a beehive found in the upper right quadrant.

In the US military, the 395th Finance Battalion has a bee for its insignia. How busy do you think THEY are in keeping their soldiers paid and happy?

The butterfly symbolizes 'psyche or soul', the grasshopper means 'noble and home-bred', while the significance of the dragonfly is uncertain.

Answer: Person of noble nature, strength, bravery, and alertness

The first US president to use a Presidential Seal was Rutherford B. Hayes in 1880. The current design was adopted in 1945 during the tenure of President Harry Truman. He had the ring of stars added, and reoriented the eagle's head so that it was looking to the right (on the side of the olive branch).

Answer: Scotland

England is represented by the lion, whose heraldic meaning is 'dauntless courage', while the unicorn represents Scotland. The unicorn symbolizes 'extreme courage; virtue and strength'. It is interesting to note that the unicorn is depicted with a crown around its neck and a chain extending down from the crown. The chain symbolizes the unicorn's resistance to oppression.