Lion

The king of beasts, the lion is the most popular beast in heraldry and one of the most popular Royal symbols, appearing notably in the arms of Great Britian, Denmark, Holland, Bohemia and Saxony amongst many other nations. As early as 1127 Henry I used the lion as an ornament on a shield. The early English heralds seem to have confused the lion with the Leopard. See Leopard

The lion is most commonly represented rampant or passant although capable of being drawn in some 30 attitudes, among which, statant, salient, combatant, sejant, couchant, and dormant. The head may also be guardant and regardant and double tailed or queue fourché or between his legs exhibiting cowardice.

See also Attitudes, Postures and Stances of Living Creatures