| The lion was an icon of bravery, strength and | | | | other gentlemen's fashion canes. In fact, some of |
| royalty for thousands of years in Africa, Europe, | | | | these are made for women, probably for this |
| and even in Asia. It appeared prominently in | | | | purpose. Since they are made to grip, the |
| ancient Mesopotamia and Egypt as a symbol of | | | | decoration on the handles are minimal and the |
| kings and in Eastern Asia (where people had | | | | handle surfaces are smooth. Again you find |
| never actually seen real lions!) they were | | | | them made of wood, ivory, and even scrimshaw. |
| worshiped as protectors of humans from evil | | | | Other heraldic positions are not often found as |
| spirits. No wonder cane-makers loved to make | | | | scripture, but as a painted form on button-shaped |
| lion walking canes! | | | | walking cane heads. In fact, most of these |
| From medieval times, the lion was used in | | | | represent coats-of-arms of various countries. |
| heraldry throughout Europe. Although there are | | | | You can find two other types of lion walking |
| many variations of heraldic lions, there are several | | | | canes. One is a roundish lion head sitting on top |
| major positions of the lion: rampant (standing on | | | | of the cane. This lion often opens its mouth |
| hind legs), passant (walking), statant (standing on | | | | wide as if it were roaring. Some have glass |
| four legs), secant (sitting), and couchant (lying | | | | eyes. (I personally prefer this type of lion |
| down). For example, the royal coat of arms of | | | | walking cane. It is easy to carry and still quite |
| Scotland has a rampant lion, and the coat of arms | | | | fashionable.) Another type is a lion head at the |
| in England has passant lions. These postures | | | | end of a crooked walking cane. A silver or pewter |
| influenced somewhat the shapes of lions on the | | | | scripted lion head is inserted at the end of the |
| walking canes. | | | | crooked handle. This is probably the most |
| A rampant lion, which is the most popular posture, | | | | comfortable walking cane to carry. Since silver |
| is often found positioned at the top of the walking | | | | and pewter are fairly easy to manipulate, you will |
| cane, just above the grip. Most often the lion | | | | find this a very finely scripted lion-head walking |
| holds a shield as many heraldic lions do. The | | | | cane. |
| scriptures are rather small and will not prevent | | | | You may also want to take note of African-made |
| you from gripping the scripture part while holding | | | | hand-carved walking canes with a lion theme. |
| the cane. Many "real" antique lion walking canes | | | | They are really beautiful and have the warmth |
| you find are made of wood, but one modern | | | | of fine rare woods that grow on the lands where |
| reproduction is made with a beautiful pewter | | | | real lions actually live. Even though many have |
| scripture. | | | | contemporary designs (based on older African |
| Another heraldic posture you may find is | | | | walking canes), they are compatible in beauty to |
| couchant. This position creates a T-shaped or | | | | any of the antique lion walking canes made in |
| L-shaped handle over the cane shaft which can be | | | | Europe or the US, and worth owning as a |
| used to support body weight - which is unlike | | | | gentleman's fashion accessory. |