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Designs, Period.
Section IVE: Heraldry (Beasts)

by Carol Hanson/Caryl de Trecesson

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Section IV: Heraldry (cont.)

All charted designs in this section are original.

Plate 49. Heraldic Beasts

Certain terms are used in describing colors for specific parts of the animal:
langued : of the tongue
armed: of the claws
unguled: of the hooves
attired: of the antlers

A. Eagle displayed, wings inverted (25 high by 27 wide)
If the wings are not specified as "inverted" then the tips should be raised.

B. Lion passant guardant (15 high by 30 wide)
This is the style on the arms of England; a lion guardant (facing the viewer) is also termed a leopard in heraldry. A beast can also be "reguardant": head turned to face over its back.

C. Pelican vulning itself (31 high by 27 wide)

D. Dolphin embowed (19 high by 28 wide)

E. Dragon passant (22 high by 29 wide)
This is the style on the arms of Wales.

F. Tyger segreant (29 high by 15 wide)
Only lions are "rampant," other beasts are "segreant"; two animals rampant and facing each other are "combatant."

G. Tyger passant (21 high by 15 wide)

H. Unicorn passant (25 high by 22 wide)

Plate 50. Heraldic Beasts

A. Stag (or hart) salient (26 high by 26 wide)

B. Boar's head erased (27 high by 32 wide)
"Couped" would be cut evenly instead of in zigzags; "couped close" would be cut off cleanly in a vertical line right behind the ears.

C. Griffin (or gryphon) segreant (26 high by 23 wide)

D. Martlet (17 high by 21 wide)
Traditionally the martlet has no feet, and occasionally no beak.

E. Swan close (23 high by 16 wide)

F. Tyger sejant erect, forepaws clasped over its head (28 high by 19 wide)
"Sejant" is sitting, "sejant erect" is sitting up. (You can have any position that can be legitimately described...)

G. Serpent (or snake) nowed (30 high by 19 wide)

H. Lion rampant (28 high by 21 wide)

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last modified on January 14, 2002

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