The typical heraldic leopard differs from the natural
leopard (
Panthera pardus) in that it has no spots and often has a
mane, but is generally similar in appearance to a heraldic lion, other than its
attitude. In the
Middle Ages,
leopards were thought to be a
crossbreed between a
lion and a
pard.
Arthur Charles Fox-Davies wrote in 1909 that the distinction between lions (which were constantly
rampant) and leopards (which were necessarily walking) originated in
French heraldry and was brought into
English heraldry along with so much else of English language and custom deriving from French traditions. But "the use of the term
leopard in heraldry to signify a certain position for the lion never received any extensive sanction, and has long since become obsolete in British armory," though the distinction is still observed in French
blazon. Fox-Davies further notes that the lions depicted in the
royal arms of England, though passant guardant, have never represented anything other than
lions, also pointing out that another ancient (if controversial) rule distinguishing leopards from lions dictated that while several leopards could appear on one shield, there could not be more than one lion on the shield (with the apparent exception of two lions combatant); multiple rampant lions on one shield were called
lioncels. ==Countries with leopards in their coats of arms==