Heraldic... swan?

[Blindkingofbohemia]

For my story, I want to create a coat-of-arms dominated by the figure of a swan. I've been snooping around google images looking for a heraldic displayed swan that looks impressive and imposing enough to be a symbol for a vast Imperial state.

The best I could find was this:

Heraldic Swan.png

Which isn't particularly impressive at all. Would anyone know how to go about growing parts of him? Removing the ridiculous looking feet? Drawing a completely new one that looks halfway impressive? I just need ideas, I'm sure I could draw it myself; any ideas would be appreciated!

[Coyotemax]

I would straighten out the neck, make it a top down view. get rid of the feet, widen out the tail so it flows with the wings. Then i'd stretch the wingtips up a bit so they come to points.

erm.. actually if you do a search for "swan logo" there's a few pretty decent ones out there.

**Google-Fu - HIYAA!**

http://s3.envato.com/files/234940.jpg
http://logofury.com/wp-content/uploa...an_vasvari.jpg
http://www.prem-rawat-bio.org/dlm_pu.../swan_logo.jpg

[Juggernaut1981]

If you're looking for classic heraldry, then they tend to look very goofy.
I'd honestly make the neck longer, exaggerate the wings, point the feet further down and widen the tail-fan. Plus add in a some shading. I've got a lot of 'classic' heraldry icons, but no swans.

I personally think that swans, and birds other than eagles, look best in passant, statant, sergeant or dormant.

Try these:
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi...ouville_54.svg
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi...s_Stormarn.svg

[Steel General]

My GOOGLE-Fu returned: THIS

[Urist]

For inspiration if you are going to draw your own: A trumpet swan going spread eagle.
http://nandugreen.typepad.com/chasin...ter-swans.html
http://www.waterplantsforponds.com/g...l-Fountain.jpg
Some images of a knights with swan heraldry.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Lohengrin-kitsch.jpg
http://www.chamber-of-records.com/tag/tolkien-art/
https://www.echidnasontheloose.com.a...dhorse_web.jpg

[rdanhenry]

For a vast empire, give that swan some weapons and maybe a crown or helmet. If you want it really threatening, put a pile of skulls under it.