The heraldic panther bears little resemblance to the natural panther but, whilst depicted in quite different forms by various heralds, common to all, he is always borne with fire issuing from his mouth and sometimes ears. The closest to the natural panther are the ones borne by the Dyers Company as supporters, powdered with roundels gu, az, vert, purp and sa. It is possible that the supporters were used in deference to King Henry VI, whose badge bore a similar charge and who granted the Dyers their first charter at the end of his reign in 1471.
In continental heraldry, the most notable example may be found in the arms of the Styrian province of Austria, in which he bears the head of a double-horned horse with eagle's talons, the hind half of a queued lion and with fire issuing from the mouth.
In Physiologus, an early Christian work of AD140 written in Greek, mention is made of the panther, to which is ascribed the gaily spotted coat and the pleasant, sweet-smelling breath which induces all other animals to approach it; the dragon alone retreats into its hole from the smell, and consequently, the panther appears to have sometimes been used as a symbol of Christ.
See Monsters and Mythical Creatures
