It must be evident to every one who has given any thought to the subject
that a definite idea is meant to be conveyed to the mind by the attitude
in which an animal is depicted; and such figures are not mere arbitrary
signs, like the letters of the alphabet, which of themselves convey no
meaning whatever. "_A lion rampant_" is, as the term suggests, a lion in
the act of fighting, rearing on his hind legs to meet his antagonist. He
is therefore depicted with wildly tossed mane, staring eyes, and _guly_
mouth; his muscular limbs and distended claws braced up for the combat
betoken the energy and power of the noble brute. How different is the idea
conveyed by the lion _statant_ in the firm majesty of his pose, calmly
looking before him; or _couchant_, fit emblem of restful vigilance and
conscious power, prepared on the instant alike to attack or defend.
Should any reasons be needed to enforce the necessity of adhering strictly
to the heraldic law in which attitude plays such an important part, it may
be needful only to refer to one or two examples, and cite as an instance
in point the noblest of all created beings, and ask whether, of the many
acts in which imperious man himself may be heraldically portrayed, the
action or position in which he is to be depicted should not indicate
distinctly the idea that is to be associated with the representation?
whether vauntingly, like the old kings,--
"with high exacting look
Sceptred and globed"
--attributes of his power,--or as a bishop or saint in the act of
benediction,--kneeling in prayer as on mediæval seals,--the three savage
men _ambulant_ on the shield of Viscount Halifax,--or the dead men strewn
over the field on the seal of the city of Lichfield--in each the primary
idea is _man_, but how different the signification! It will therefore be
understood that the particular action or posture, or any of the various
forms in which real or imaginary creatures may be blazoned in heraldry,
gives the keynote to its interpretation, which, in this respect, is
nothing if not symbolic.
It will be seen that to interpret the meaning implied in any particular
charge, the _tinctures_, as well as the _attitude_, must be considered.
These, taken in combination with the _qualities_ or _attributes_ we
associate with the creature represented, indicate in a threefold manner
the complete idea or phase of meaning intended to be conveyed by the
composition, and may be thus formulated:
(1) THE CREATURE.--The primary idea in the symbol is in the particular
being represented, whether real or fictitious, as _a man_, _a lion_,
_an eagle_, _a dragon_, &c., of the form and accepted character for
some particular quality or attribute of mind or body, as
_fierceness_, _valour_, _fleetness_, &c.
(2) ATTITUDE.--The various attitudes or positions in which it may be
depicted in heraldry, each denoting some special meaning, as
_rampant_, _sejant_, _dormant_, &c.
(3) TINCTURE.--Whether blazoned _proper_ (that is, according to
nature) or of some of the heraldic tinctures, as _or_ (gold), _gules_
(red), _azure_, _vert_, &c., each tincture, according to the old
heralds, bearing a particular and special signification.
Tinctures in armorial devices were, however, not always introduced on
these scientific principles or adopted from any symbolic meaning, but as
arbitrary variations of colour for distinction merely, and as being in
themselves equally honourable; colour alone in many instances serving to
distinguish the arms of many families that would otherwise be the same.
Hence the necessity for accuracy in blazoning.
Guillam lays down some general rules regarding the symbolic meaning by
which all sorts of creatures borne in arms or ensigns are to be
interpreted, and by which alone a consistent system can be regulated.
"They must," he says, "be interpreted in the best sense, that is,
according to their most generous and noble qualities, and so to the
greatest honour of their bearers.... The _fox_ is full of wit, and withal
given wholly to filching for his prey. If, then, this be the charge of an
escutcheon, we must conceive the quality represented to be his wit and
cunning, but not his pilfering and stealing;" and so of other beasts. Even
in wild and ruthless animals and fictitious creatures, symbolic heraldry
delights in setting forth their most commendable qualities, as fierceness
and courage in overcoming enemies, though they may also possess most
detestable qualities.
In like manner all sorts of peaceable or gentle-natured creatures must be
set forth in their most noble and kindly action, each in its disposition
and that which is most agreeable to nature, rather than of an opposite
character. Heraldic art thus stamps a peculiar note of dignity for some
particular respect in the emblematic figures it accepts, as for some
special use, quality or action in the thing depicted; and this dignity or
nobility may have a twofold relation, one betwixt creatures of divers
kinds, as _a lion_ or _a stag_, _a wolf_ and _a lamb_; the other between
beings of one and the same kind, according to their various attitudes or
positions in which they may be represented, as a stag _courant_ or _at
speed_, and a stag _lodged_ or _at bay_; a lion _rampant_ and a lion
_coward_--one will keep the field, the other seek safety in flight, just
as one attitude conveys a different signification from another.