The marzocco is a heraldic lion, the medieval symbol of Florence. Not the fearsome bronze cinghiale (wild boar) that the tourists gawk at in the medieval city's central market, but a grey ...

Some have speculated that the taxidermist may have used heraldic lion images as a guide, like the carved lion at Gripsholm Castle shown here. That would at least explain the tongue. Good also ...

The technical heraldic description of the Middleton Coat ... Both shields are supported by the Duke of Cambridge’s Supporters of the Royal Lion and Unicorn wearing a three-pointed collar ...