A lymphad or galley is a charge used primarily in Scottish heraldry. It is a single-masted ship propelled by oars.[1] In addition to the mast and oars, the lymphad has three flags and a basket. The word comes from the Scottish Gaelic long fhada, meaning a long ship or birlinn. It usually indicates a title associated with islands, such as Lord of the Isles, specifically those on the west coast of Scotland, including the Hebrides - but is not limited to Scottish arms: prominent examples including the coats of arms of New Zealand and New Brunswick.
Although the drawing of the lymphad for heraldic design purposes naturally became standardized, there are minor differences. These usually involve the position of the sails and oars and the tincture of the flags. There are other variations as well, such as the tincture of the ship. Additionally, the basket may be afire and a crew may be depicted.
- ^ Boutell, Aveling, Charles, Steven Thomas (1873). Heraldry: ancient and modern. Including Boutell's Heraldry, ed. and revised, with additions. Oxford University.
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