In heraldry an attitude is the position in which an animal, mythical creature etc is emblazoned as a charge, supporter or crest. Animals and animal-like creatures are presumed to be shown in profile, humans and human-like beings are presumed to be shown facing frontward ( afftonté ) Directions: a.) Dexter (right) - the viewer's left. b.) Sinister (left) - turned to face the viewer's right. c.) Affronté - an animal or being that is faced toward the viewer. d.) Guardant - head turned to face the viewer. e.) Regardant - head turned backward, looking over it's shoulder. While there are a large number of terms for attitudes of creatures may exist - the following are a small selection of the most popular among these.
Heraldic animals displayed in a variety of positions Beast or Monsters
Attitudes of the beasts
Lion coward
Lion rampant
Lion rampant double queued
Lion rampant queue fourché
Lion rampant tail nowed
Lion rampant regardant
Lion salient
Demi lion rampant
Lion passant
Lion passant guardant
Lion passant regardant
Lion couchant
Lion head couped
Lion head
Winged lion
Man Lion
Lion sejant erect
Lion sejant
Lion sejant regardant erect
Lion statant
Attitudes of birds
Eagle close
Eagle rising, wings elevated and addorsed
Eagle rising, wings addorsed and inverted.
Eagle rising wings elevated
Eagle displayed
Eagle wings inverted
Eagle rising wings elevated addorsed
Eagle head couped
References material are taken from following heraldry publications a.) A practical manual of heraldry and of heraldic illuminations - publish 1864 b.) A dictionary of heraldry - published 1889 c.) The elements of heraldry - published 1866 d.) A complete guide of heraldry - published 1909