The Crane as a Symbol of the Republic of Haldeve

The noble crane, whose feet are planted in the waters of imagination, whose long beak probes the depths, and whose head rises high into the clouds, has for centuries been a symbol of inventiveness. The crane frequently appeared in the heraldric imagery of the great mage families that once ruled the old Kingdom of Waltia, including the family crest of Cyrus Gatchett, the great inventor whose scientific insights brought an end to the age of magic and ushered in the age of reason.

On the eve of the Battle of Jamestown, at a low point in the war for independence, when the spirits of our brave Haldeven soldiers were severely depressed, a single crane was seen flying high over the battlefield. General William Hargrove, who was leading the troops, was heard to remark: "Take heart, men! Like the crane, we shall fly only if we are willing to stick our necks out!" The following day he led our troops to victory, and the rest is history.

Cranes, once abundant in the wetlands, marshes and rivers of the continent of Haldevia, are scarcer now, for crane feathers were once highly prized as an accouterment of women's clothing and this proud bird was almost hunted to extinction in order to adorn ladies' hats and evening gowns. It is now against the law to harm a crane. The stylized crane symbol of the flag of the Republic of Haldeve was designed by Miss Elizabeth Rothschild, who led the campaign to ban the hunting of cranes.

The white crane on the gray background symbolizes the triumph of reason over ignorance. The fifteen feathers of the crane symbolize the fifteen original provinces of the Republic of Haldeve. The head of the crane rising up above the feathers symbolizes the rightful rule of science and ingenuity over the affairs of men.