Beehive (Period)
A beehive is a box or other shelter for a colony of bees; it may also be termed a “bee skep”. The heraldic form is the medieval variety, which is basket- or dome-shaped. The beehive is a period charge, found in the arms of Fray, mid-16th C. [Bedingfeld 58].
Beehives are often depicted beset by bees, which fact is always blazoned. See also bee.
Therasia Mellita bears: Gules semy of bees, a beehive Or.
Artemisia of Nicaea bears: Purpure, a beehive argent within bees in annulo Or.
Barbara MacAuley bears: Azure, a beehive between four bees in cross argent.