LEOPARD (HERALDRY)

The 'leopard' or 'lion passant guardant' is a frequently used charge in heraldry. It mostly appears in groups of three, which are positioned over each another.

Contents

Heraldic and Zoological leopards

Countries with leopards in their coats of arms

Three leopards

One leopard

Natural leopards

See also

Heraldic and Zoological leopards

The heraldic leopard differs from the real-life leopard (''Panthera pardus''). It does not have any spots and often has a mane. In heraldry, the leopard is also generally similar to a lion. The reason for this lies in the fact that in the Middle Ages leopards were thought to be a crossbreed between a lion and a panther. This was retained in heraldry.
The difference between leopards and lions passant guardant is scant, if any, and the two terms are generally interchangeable. The beasts on the Coat of arms of England are generally referred to as lions.
Some countries use the leopard in heraldry, which dates back to the colonial rule of the British.
There are occasional and more modern depictions in heraldry of the naturalistic leopard, but what is intended can be easily distinguished by the stated attitude (position) not being passant guardant. For example, when leopards are used as supporters and the position is not specified (thus it would be rampant) they should be depicted naturalistically.

Countries with leopards in their coats of arms

Three leopards

★ Coat of arms of Estonia

★ Coat of arms of Denmark (12th century - 1819. After that changed to lions.)

One leopard

★ Coat of arms of Fiji

★ Coat of arms of Ghana

Natural leopards

★ Coat of arms of Benin

★ Coat of arms of Gabon (black panther)

★ Coat of arms of Malawi

★ Coat of arms of Somalia

★ Coat of arms of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly Zaire)

See also

★ Lion (heraldry)

★ Eagle (heraldry)