In dealing with charges of living creatures, we shall observe the following order: (a) "Animals of all sort living on the earth"; (b) "such as live above the earth"; (c) "watery creatures"; (d) "man."
First, amongst the animals, come those with undivided feet—elephant, horse, ass. Second, those with cloven feet—bull, goat, stag, etc. Third, those beasts that have many claws—lions, tigers, bears, etc.
To blazon animal charges, many special terms are required, describing their person, limbs, actions, attitudes, etc.
"And as," says Guillim, "these beasts are to explain a history, they must be represented in that position which will best show it."
Fig. 38.Fig. 39.
Moreover, each beast was to be portrayed in its most characteristic attitude. Thus, a lion should be drawn erect with wide-open jaws and claws extended, as if "about to rend or tear." In this posture he is blazoned rampant (Fig. 38). A leopard must be represented going "step by step" fitting his natural disposition; he is then passant. A deer or lamb "being both gentle creatures," are said to be trippant (Fig. 39), and so on; the heraldic term varying, you understand, to suit the particular animal charge that is being blazoned. Living charges when represented on a shield must always, with rare exceptions, appear to be either looking or moving towards the dexter side of the shield (see Fig. 39). The right foot or claw is usually placed foremost as being the most honourable limb (see Fig. 38).
The elephant, having solid feet, is mentioned first, although the lion is really the only animal—if we except the boar's head—which occurs in the earliest armorial bearings. The Elphinstones charge their shield with an elephant passant, whilst the Prattes bear three elephants' heads erased. This term implies that they have been torn off and have ragged edges.