What does a rampant lion mean on a coat of arms?

It traditionally symbolises courage, nobility, royalty, strength, stateliness and valour, because historically the lion has been regarded as the “king of beasts”. The lion also carries Judeo-Christian symbolism. The Lion of Judah stands in the coat of arms of Jerusalem.

What are the rules of heraldry?

Rules of heraldry

• Each coat of arms should be unique.
• The arms should be distinguishable at a distance, so the majority of components should be large, simple and composed of a very few tinctures (colours)
• The main charge (design on the shield) should cover its field (the whole of the space available on the shield)

How do you read heraldry?

Heraldic Ordinaries

1. Fess = horizontal stripe across the shield.
2. Pale = vertical stripe down the shield.
3. Bend = diagonal stripe.
4. Chevron = like a house gable, pointing upwards.
5. Cross = a plain cross.
6. Saltire = a ‘St. Andrew’s cross’
7. Chief = bar across top edge of shield.
8. Bordure = border round edges of shield.

Where does the lion rampant come from?

The design originates from King Richard’s reign, with the English using an emblem of a rampant lion on its hind legs. This lion was eventually used for the Scottish Coat of Arms and incorporated into the Great Seal of Scotland.

What is the difference between the Saltire and the lion Rampant?

Royal Flag of Scotland. Although the national flag of Scotland is the blue and white ‘Saltire’, the Scottish people also have a second, very different, flag which is called the ‘Lion Rampant’. The ‘Lion Flag’ is often considered the unofficial national flag and referred to as the ‘Royal Flag of Scotland’.

What do animals represent in heraldry?

Animals were frequently used as a main charge in coats of arms. They were shown in certain traditional postures (usually in positions of combat). Usually the animals chosen were fierce and ferocious looking or they represented positive traits such as wisdom, resourcefulness and loyalty.

What are animals called in heraldry?

The beast most often portrayed in heraldry is the lion. When posed passant guardant (walking and facing the viewer), he is called a léopard in French blazon. Other beasts frequently seen include the wolf, bear, boar, horse, bull or ox, and stag or hart.

What is the difference between the Saltire and the Lion Rampant?

What does a cow mean in heraldry?

The bat – animals in heraldry The horns represent strength and fortitude. Oxen, and cows also appear on some crests and arms. Calves are more common in heraldry. Furthermore, the calf is an ancient heraldic symbol traditionally associated with the characteristics of patience, submissiveness and self-sacrifice.

What does a cat represent in heraldry?

The cat – animals in heraldry A symbol of a great cat signifies liberty, vigilance and courage in heraldry. Like the lion in heraldic form, the cat is portrayed in many different positions, but they are most often blazoned passant, walking with right fore-paw raised. Cats are most common in Scottish or Irish arms.

Why are there so many lions on the coat of arms?

The lion represents courage, bravery, ferocity and strength. The rulers of England probably included so many lions on the Coat of Arms because they wanted people to fear and respect them as a strong unity.

What are the different attitudes of heraldic lions?

The following table describes the different attitudes of heraldic lions: A “lion rampant” is shown in profile (seen from the left side) standing upright with forepaws raised. The position of the hind legs varies according to local custom: the lion may stand with both hind legs braced wide apart, or on only one, with the other also raised to strike.

What is the meaning of the lion on the coat of arms?

Lion (heraldry) The lion is a common charge in heraldry. It traditionally symbolises courage, nobility, royalty, strength, stateliness and valour, because historically it has been regarded as the “king of beasts”. Lion refers also to a Judeo-Christian symbolism. The Lion of Judah stands in the coat of arms of Jerusalem.

What is the most common type of heraldic animal?

Lions are probably the commonest heraldic animal, and they occur in many positions, of which passant and rampant are by far the commonest, as seen for instance in the arms of Brotherton, where they are passant guardant (left) and Sherburn rampant (right) respectively.

What is it called when a lion is shown rampant?

Also called diffame, infamed, and defame, a lion shown in the rampant position without its tail. A lion shown with its paws and head (but not its tail) detached from its body is called “disjointed” (i.e., “torn away at the joints”), and it is always shown in the rampant position.