Statant

Statant is a heraldic term used to describe the posture of a charge on a shield or coat of arms. It indicates that the depicted creature or figure is standing still with all four feet on the ground. The term is commonly used in blazonry to distinguish standing postures from other poses such as rampant (rearing on hind legs), passant (in motion with a forward foot raised), or crouching.

In blazoning, statant is often placed before or after the name of the creature, for example "a lion statant" or "a horse statant." When an animal is both statant and facing the viewer, the phrase "statant guardant" is used. Other combinations include "statant affront" (facing front) in some traditions, though "guardant" is the standard term for a facing posture.

The use of statant is common across European heraldic traditions and is applied to many creatures, including lions, unicorns, horses, and key symbols of civic arms. The choice of posture contributes to the symbolic reading of the arms and complements other stylistic elements.

Etymology: The word "statant" derives from Old French statant or French statant, from Latin stans, present participle of to stand, reflecting the pose of the figure.

In heraldic practice, the precise blazon helps the designer render the posture consistently, ensuring heraldic meaning is preserved across translations and reproductions.