Deer are commonly encountered in heraldry, although perhaps more often in the form of stags’ or hinds’ heads. Their positions are described differently from those for lions: for example the equivalent of passant is trippant. The following terms are used for deer, and also such animals as goats:
| Lodged | Lying, with the legs tucked under the body |
| Statant | Standing, facing left (as viewed) |
| At Gaze | As statant, but looking directly out of the shield |
| Trippant | Walking, with one foreleg slightly raised |
| Courant | Running, with all four legs off the ground, usually all extended out from the body. Also termed at speed or in full chase |
| Springing | Leaping or jumping, with the hind legs on the ground and both front paws raised up; the equivalent of salient for a lion |
Animals such as goats use the same terms as deer, though bulls can be rampant, a position not found in deer. Dogs tend to be sejant etc., like lions, though they are termed courant or in full chase when running.
Back to the Glossary Contents.
© Gill Smith 1997, 1998