1. An Important History of the Myth
Salamander
An Important History of the Myth

2. What is a Salamander? 500 species
Europe, Asia, some parts of Africa, and North and South America
largest are found in China and Japan and can grow to five feet long
 not reptiles and not related to mammals or birds
amphibians and their nearest relatives are frogs and toads

3. Salamanders are associated with fire
Aristotle, (384 BC – 322 BC), and Pliny the Elder (A.D. 23– 79) associate them with fire
the fire salamander (Salamandra salamandra), which hibernates in hollow, decaying logs of wood during the winter months

4. Fire proof?
Pliny the Elder believed the salamander to have such a cold body that it could extinguish any fire.  There was also a belief that the skin and other parts and extracts of the salamander gave protection against fire.

5. Poisonous?
The salamander was also reputed to be so toxic that if it entwined itself around a fruit tree then the fruits become poisonous to all who would eat them. The saliva was thought to cause the hair of a person to fall from the body if it made contact with human skin.

6. The Salamander of Alchemy
In 16th century alchemy Paracelsus ( ) is generally credited with the first mentioning of the concept of elementals
Air (Sylph), Earth (Gnome), Fire (Salamander) and Water (Undine)
Elementals were creatures, or spirits, in harmony with, or made from the elements of earth, air, fire and water.

7. Salamander in Heraldry
Salamanders were used as symbols representing mastery of passion passing through its fires unblemished
represent the virtues of courage, loyalty, chastity, virginity, impartiality
King Francis I of France chose for his own sign and the motto,  ‘Nutrisco et exstinguo (I nourish and I extinguish)
good fire – the passion and belief in Jesus is nourished –  the bad fire, temptation and evil are overcome.