Definition of guardant in English:
guardant
adjective ˈɡɑːd(ə)ntˈɡärd(ə)nt
Heraldry usually postpositive (especially of an animal) depicted with the body sideways and the face towards the viewer.
three lions passant guardant
Example sentencesExamples
- Between 1405 and 1603 the Royal Arms of England were Quarterly, France Modern and England; three fleur-de-lis in the 1st and 4th quarters, and three lions passant guardant in the 2nd and 3rd quarters.
- This design is blazoned as ‘Gules, three lions passant guardant in pale Or,’ and it is still the coat of arms of England today.
- His younger brother (who became King John) had a seal in 1177 with two lions passant guardant.
- The finial for all ground force colours is the crest of Canada (a lion statant guardant royally crowned and holding a maple leaf in his right forepaw) cast in gilt brass.
- The lion passant guardant appears in various places; the renderings of it in the Palatine Chapel completed before 1143 antedate this symbol's presumed use by the King of England.
Origin
Late 16th century: from French gardant 'guarding', from garder 'to guard'.