Heraldic Dolphins

The dolphin was early employed by Asiatics and Greeks as a symbol of maritime power, and by the latter also as emblematic of youth. It was not only placed on the shield of Ulysses in token of his voyages, but was sacred to Apollo. It took the bodies of shipwrecked lovers of music and the gods safely to land, or conveyed their souls to the Fortunate Isles. In heraldry they represent sea-power and travel, and so may be seen alike on the shields of sailors, merchants, and sea-ports.