Dictionary of Vexillology: Appendix V

The common attitudes and presentation of heraldic beasts are listed below:

Armed

The claws, teeth and beaks of beasts are of a different tincture to the rest of the body.

Lion Rampant Sable, Armed and Langued Gules, Flanders Belgium (fotw)

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Contourné

When an animal is facing towards the sinister rather than the usual dexter.

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Couchant

When an animal is depicted as lying down, with its head generally facing towards the dexter.

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Couped

Cut off in a straight line as is often the case with the heads and limbs of animals but see ‘couped’ main entry (also 'erased').

A dexter hand couped at the wrist, Northern Ireland (fotw)

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Guardant

When an animal has its face towards the onlooker.

Three Lions Passant Guardant Or, Armed and Langued Azure, Duchy of Lancaster, UK (Graham Bartram)

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Erased

As couped above, but with the dividing line ragged or uneven.

Three heads Erased Sable, Lennik, Belgium (fotw)

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Langued

The tongue of the beast, if shown, is of different tincture than the rest of the body.

Lion Passant Sable, Armed and Langued Gules, Aalter, Belgium (fotw)

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Passant

When an animal is depicted walking on all four paws, generally towards the dexter.

Three Bears Passant, Beernem, Belgium (fotw)

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Proper/Natural

When a charge is shown in its natural shape and colours, as opposed to stylised heraldic colours or shapes.

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Rampant

When an animal is depicted rearing on its hind legs with forepaws and claws extended.

Lion Rampant Gules, Armed and Langued Azure, Royal Banner of Scotland (Graham Bartram)

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Regardant

When an animal is looking to the rear over its shoulder irrespective of its attitude.

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Statant

When an animal is depicted on all four feet standing still whilst facing the dexter.