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Passant

Heraldic Terms
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

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The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

Passant in heraldry depicts an animal walking with one forepaw raised, symbolizing vigilance, movement, or noble bearing on a coat of arms.

Detailed Definition
In heraldic imagery, a passant beast conveys dignity and peace in motion, unlike rampant aggression. Poets employ it to express graceful strength or poised power, embodying noble restraint within momentum and purpose.
Example
Example in poetry:
The lion passant, one paw raised, moved with measured courage through the verse; “Passant through time,” the historical poem pictured the hero’s steady march; The poet likened his quill to a lion passant—gentle but purposeful; In the royal arms, the lion passant guardant watched over the realm with vigilance; Passant charges suggest journey, not rest—ideal for poems of quest and growth.
Additional Notes
Passant describes a walking animal (usually a lion) with one forepaw raised and head in profile; it conveys vigilance in motion; in poetry, passant beasts suggest journey, readiness, or noble progress; distinguish from “statant” (standing still) and “rampant” (rearing aggressively)—posture dramatically alters symbolic tone.
Also Known As
Walking Marching
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