Magt og Symboler : Thomas Hobbes (1588-1679) som Heraldiker (Power and Symbols: Thomas Hobbes (1588-1679) as an Armorist)

The article examines one of the few examples of a political philosopher, who has attempted to integrate a study of heraldry into his philosophical system, namely Thomas Hobbes (1588 1679) in his classic, Leviathan (1651). The article argues, that much of what Hobbes had to say of heraldry was either wrong or of little interest, but that his effort may highlight the purpose of Hobbes’ more general ambition of analyzing the consequences of human nature. It is also argued that Hobbes’ analysis may contribute to a more realistic view of the origins of heraldry