Heraldic Dictionary

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Among the most prevalent charges to be found are beasts. It is important to remember that the heraldic depiction of an animal does not always match the natural appearance of the beast. A good example of this is the tiger: in ancient armorial examples one will find only the heraldic tyger, a stylized creature which bears little resemblance to a tiger's natural appearance. In more recent coats-of-arms, however, one finds the Bengal tiger, a much more naturalistic presentation of the animal.

When describing an animal it is necessary to blazon not only the creature's type but also the position in which it is presented. These positions are illustrated by the lion and by the stag, for which the various positions are differently named.

Other animals which are occasionally encountered in heraldry but for which we have no illustration currently include:

ibex camel crocodile panther (rarely found other than as a supporter) porcupine		rhinoceros tortoise sprinbok (or South African antelope) zebra
		oxen cows calves

bloodhound mastiff foxhound		(Note: If a dog is shown to be chasing another animal it is said to be, "in full chase" or "in full course." A dog with it's nose to the ground is described as, "on scent.")

lion passant	heraldic tyger passant	Bengal tiger passant		leopard statant	cat-a-mountain passant

wolf passant	wolf courant	lynx coward		fox passant	fox's mask

bear passant		bear's head erased and muzzled		boar passant

horse passant	chevalier on horseback		Pegasus passant		sea-horse

greyhound passant	talbot passant	sea-dog			bull passant

stag trippant	hind statant	reindeer statant		heraldic antelope statant	goat passant

sheep passant	Pascal lamb	ram statant		ram's head caboshed	fleece

elephant and castle	hare salient	coney		squirrel	ape collared and chained

brock or badger	otter		urcheon		bat