Bird sinister headdown displayed
Eagle
displayed |
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The informal term "spread eagle" is derived from a heraldic depiction of
an eagle displayed (i.e. upright
with both wings, both legs, and tailfeathers all outstretched). The wings
are usually depicted "expanded" or "elevated" (i.e., with the points upward);
displayed inverted is when the wings are depicted points downward.
According to Hugh Clark, An Introduction to Heraldry, the term spread
eagle refers to "an eagle with two heads, displayed,"
but this distinction has apparently been lost in modern usage.
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"The two birds are straining to look down on the mounted travellers and
their frisky hunting dogs. But these birds are not free to move. With one wing
cruelly snared by diagonals framing their compartments, these marginal creatures
are just as bound as the hawk on Harold's wrist." - Bernstein
Sinister
The lion's head is normally seen in agreement with the overall position, facing
dexter (left) unless otherwise stated. If a lion's whole body is turned
to face right, he is to sinister. If his whole body faces the
viewer, he is affronté. If his head only faces the viewer he
is guardant or gardant, and if he looks back over his shoulder
he is regardant. These adjectives follow any other adjectives of position.
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