Boar's Head
Both the boar and a boar’s head are common representations in heraldry. The depiction of a full boar typically represents the qualities of courage and fierceness in battle. Only displaying the boar’s head can either represent hospitality or symbolize that the bearer of the arms is a noted hunter.
Yule Boar Ritual
The German towns of Eberbach, Ebersbach an der Fils, and Ebersbach all use civic arms with images of wild boars 1. In addition to Greek and Egyptian cultures, the Yule boar can be found in German tradition. This winter sacrifice ritual is believed to induce plentiful harvests the following year 2. The Roman Historian Tacitus notes that boar-shaped amuletes were also worn by Germanic warriors 3.
References
- 1 - "More Information on Wild Boar, Wild Hog, Feral Pig, and Wild Pig." Hogstoppers, n.d. <link>
- 2 - Bissette, Elizabeth. "The Yule Boar." Bella Online, n.d. <link>
- 3 - McIntosh, Jane. Handbook of Life in Prehistoric Europe. New York: Oxford University Press, 2009. <link>