Attitude (heraldry)
In heraldry, the term attitude describes the position in which a figure (animal or human) is emblazoned as a charge, a supporter, or as a crest.
Many attitudes commonly met with in heraldic rolls apply specifically to predatory beasts, while others may be better suited to the docile animals.
A blazon may also specify the position of a beast's head, differently coloured parts (such as teeth, claws, tongue, etc.
[2] A beast rampant (Old French: "rearing up") is depicted in profile standing erect with forepaws raised.
A beast passant (Old French: "striding") walks toward dexter (the viewer's left) with the right forepaw raised and all others on the ground.
[9] A beast dormant (French: "sleeping") is lying down with his head lowered, resting upon the forepaws, as if asleep.
[13] Also spelled morné or mortine, a lion depicted with neither claws, teeth, nor tongue, in the rampant position.
The term is from the Old French verb morner, from morne, a ring placed over the point of a lance, from Latin mora, "sword guard".
A bird displayed is shown affronté with its head turned to dexter and wings spread to the sides to fill the area of the field.
Used to describe a phoenix, though potentially other flying creatures as well, when depicted arising from, for example, a line of flames, a coronet, an amphora, etc.
[19] A bird rising, rizant[20][21] or rousant faces dexter with its head upturned, wings raised, and standing on the tips of its feet as if about to take flight.
A bird volant faces the dexter with its wings spread in flight (usually shown addorsed and elevated) and its legs tucked under its body.
A bird volant is considered in bend ("diagonal") as it is flying from the lower sinister to the upper dexter of the field.
The heraldic pelican, one of the few female beasts in heraldry, is shown with a sharp stork-like beak, which it uses to vuln (pierce or wound) her own breast.
[23] A distinction is sometimes observed, however, between a pelican vulning herself (alone, piercing her breast) versus "her piety" (surrounded by and feeding her chicks).
Serpents also sometimes appear in a circular form, biting their own tail, but this symbol, called an Ouroboros, was imported ready-made into heraldry, and so it needs no term of attitude to describe it.
A creature segreant has both forelegs raised in the air, as a beast rampant, with wings addorsed and elevated.
[28] Creatures combatant (French, "fighting") are shown in profile facing each other in the rampant or segreant position, always paired and never appearing singly.
A fish, dolphin, or other sea creature hauriant (Latin hauriēns, "drawing up") is in a vertical position with its head up.
A fish, dolphin, or other sea creature urinant (/ˈjʊərɪnənt/) (Latin ūrīnāns, "diving") is in a vertical position with its head down.
