Head-piece. An ornamental engraving at the commencement of a new chapter in a book.
Head-rail. The head-dress worn by Saxon and Norman ladies.
Healfang, A.S. The pillory, or a fine in commutation. “Qui falsum testimonium dedit, reddat regi vel terræ domino HEALFANG.”
Heang-loo, Chinese. An incense-burner.
Fig. 382. Inscription, with hearts, found at Alise.
Heart. On numerous Christian tombs hearts maybe seen sculptured. Many archæologists have attempted to explain their meaning as symbols, but without entering on an unprofitable discussion of that question, it may be noticed that, in many cases, what archæologists have supposed to be hearts were nothing but ivy-leaves, which served as marks of separation between different words or sentences. Fig. [382] represents an inscription at Alise in which ivy-leaves figure, together with an ornament which some would insist were flames, if they were to take the leaves for hearts. When inscriptions, however, are defaced, the shape of the leaves is not nearly so distinguishable as in the figure. [One of the most frequent methods in which this emblem is introduced in Christian art is that the Saviour, or the Virgin Mary, is represented opening the breast to display the living heart—the natural symbol of Love, Devotion, or Sorrow. The Heart is an attribute of St. Theresa, St. Augustine, and other saints. The flaming heart is the emblem of charity. The heart pierced by seven daggers symbolizes the “seven sorrows” of Mary.]
Hecatesia, Gr. (Ἑκατήσια). Festivals held at Athens in honour of Hecatê.
Hecatomb, Gr. and R. (ἑκατόμβη). A sacrifice offered in Greece and Rome under special circumstances, and at which a hundred head of cattle (ἑκατὸν) were slain; whence the name of the festival. [The term was generally applied to all great sacrifices, of much less extent than that implied by its etymological meaning.]
Hecatompylæ, Gr. (ἑκατόμ-πυλαι). The city with a hundred gates; a name given to the Egyptian Thebes.