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Volant

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

In heraldry, a term describing a bird or creature depicted with wings spread, as if in active flight, symbolizing freedom or vigilance.

Detailed Definition
A volant creature suggests aspiration, freedom, and vitality. In poetry, volant imagery evokes flight of spirit or imagination—transcendence from earthly bonds, heraldic wings metaphorically rising through creative or spiritual ambition.
Example
Example in poetry:
The dove volant, wings spread in flight, carried olive branch of peace through the verse; “Volant thoughts,” the sonnet pictured ideas soaring beyond earthly bounds; The poet saw swallows as volant charges, summer’s heraldic messengers; In arms of messengers, volant birds declared swiftness and freedom; Volant charges inspire poets to write with motion and grace.
Additional Notes
Volant describes a bird shown in full flight, wings spread and body horizontal; it conveys speed, freedom, or divine message; in poetry, volant birds (eagles, doves) symbolize transcendence, urgency, or spiritual ascent; distinguish from “displayed” (static, facing viewer) and “rising” (ascending)—volant implies horizontal motion across the field.
Also Known As
Flying In flight
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