Wyvern in media: Wyvern or Wivern
Wyverns are far less timid then most dragons and were once known in Europe, especially in England, before weapons technology and the growth of human populations depleted their numbers. Leonardo da Vinci recorded an encounter he observed between a lion and a wyvern; although it seems unlikely that he observed it first hand.
In the bestiaries of the Middle Ages, the wyvern was used as an allegory of Satan, and was associated with war, pestilence and sin. It was especially said to spread plague, a heinous charge in a medieval Europe reeling from the horrors of the Black Death.
The Wyvern was given other meanings too. The medieval alchemists dressed their knowledge in obscure codes and allegories, and the wyvern was used to represent matter in its basest of state. The alchemist himself was depicted as the worthy knight overcoming the beast -- that is, transforming it into gold.
Wyverns survive today mainly as a heraldic emblem. Wyverns tend to represent war, envy, might and conquest -- and are a sign of strength to those who have born it through the ages on pennants, shields coat-of-arms and the like. While they must be considered virtually non-existent, the relatively undisturbed mountains and forests of Eastern Europe and Russia just may conceal a few surviving wyverns.
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Mythical Realm
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Wyvern in media
Wyvern in media: Mythical realm
Wyverns, while close relatives of the Dragon, have been argued as being not of the same order. In England they have been referred to as 'dragonets' because their generally small in stature and basically appear to be adolescent dragons when in fact their body parts are fundamentally different. The Wyvern has a distinctive two legged stance and their wings are true wings (derived from the forelimbs) like those of bats or birds. Sometimes these wings are depicted as "hands", such that a Wyvern can clasp each other when the wings are folded in front of them.
The Wyvern has eagle-like talons, a beak-like jaw that is essential in carrying food as well as a deadly barbed stinger at the tip of their tail. They live in caverns or similar protected lairs commonly found in forests and woods. The lairs can be identified by the debris of bones and valuables. These they gather, because like dragons, they are attracted to shiny objects and baubles. 'Dragonets' are far less discerning and their 'hoards' will contain as much rubbish as gold.
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Mythical realm
Wyvern in media: Wyvern Organs
…and welcome to our new site. Whether you are an existing customer or a new enquirer we hope you find the site informative and would also welcome your own comments. Existing customers may not yet see details of their own installation but please bear with us on this as we still have a lot of data to migrate.
Wyvern is a British church organ builder with a proud history of pioneering design and innovation since 1956. We aim to illustrate not only how the developments within the Company’s progression are reflected in our current range of church organs, but also how the Company’s professional and technical standards have been forged on a solid base of experience.
Today there is a Wyvern Organ to suit any building and a wide range of budgets. We offer a choice of models from our best selling range of standard instruments, self contained chamber organs and a full custom building service.
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Wyvern Organs
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Wyvern in media
