8

Speaking crest

Frederick the Great and his sister Wilhelmine were very close to each other. Both loved art, literature and music and exchanged numerous letters. After Wilhelmine’s death Frederick was plunged into utter despair. As a place to commemorate the beloved sister he built the temple of friendship near the New Palace; its pillars bear circular relief portraits representing well known pairs of friends from antiquity.
The helmets of the Greek friends Nisos and Eyrialos each carry a salamander as a plume. In mythology the salamander is one of the elemental beings and represents fire. It is said that salamanders are capable to live in the fire of passion without being burnt by the temptations this passion causes.