Rampant
From MiddleWiki
An heraldic posture, only animals can be Rampant. According to Wikipedia "standing on left hind foot, other feet raised to fight; this is the most frequent position for lions and the like, typically omitted in early blazon"
Other postures heraldic animals can hold are:
- at bay (of prey): standing on four feet
- at gaze (of prey): standing on four feet, gardant
- couchant (of predators): lying on the ground, head raised
- courant: running: body horizontal, all four feet raised
- dormant: sleeping: lying on the ground, head lowered
- gardant: head turned to face the viewer
- lodged (of prey): lying on the ground, head raised
- passant (of predators): walking: standing on three feet, one forefoot raised
- rampant: standing on left hind foot, other feet raised to fight; this is the most frequent position for lions and the like, typically omitted in early blazon
- reguardant: head turned back over its shoulder
- salient (of predators): leaping, both hind feet planted
- segreant: like rampant, but applied to winged quadrupeds such as griffins
- sejant erect: sitting on hindquarters, forefeet raised
- sejant: sitting on hindquarters, forefeet planted
- springing (of prey): leaping, both hind feet planted
- statant (of predators): standing on four feet
- trippant (of prey): walking: standing on three feet, one forefoot raised
The bear, apparently uniquely, can walk on its hind legs.
External Links
Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charge_%28heraldry%29
