noun
- Plural of guardant; in heraldry, animals (especially lions or other beasts) depicted facing forward with both eyes visible to the viewer.
Usage: heraldry; formal
Examples
- The coat of arms featured two guardants rampant on either side of the shield.
- In heraldic tradition, guardants are often used to represent strength and vigilance.
- The lions guardants in the royal crest symbolized the kingdom's protective power.
- Medieval heralds carefully distinguished between guardants and other animal postures in blazonry.