Jessant is a term used in heraldry to describe an animal depicted as leaping forward. Its pronunciation is /dʒɛsənt/ with stress on the first syllable. The IPA phonetic transcription shows that the "j" sound is a voiced palato-alveolar affricate, similar to the "sh" sound in "shoe," and the "s" is a voiceless alveolar fricative. The "a" sound is pronounced as in "cat" and the stress falls on the first syllable. The spelling of jessant may seem unusual, but it is consistent with the phonetic rules of English.
Jessant is an adjective derived from the Old French word "jesser," meaning to gush forth or issue out. It is primarily used in heraldry to describe an image or object that appears to be bursting or sprouting from another object. When an element is described as jessant, it means that it is emerging from a specified location on another element within a coat of arms or a crest.
In the realm of heraldry, jessant is often used to depict the sprouting of a flower, an animal, or any other symbol emerging from another object. For example, a lion jessant, also known as a lion "issuant," may be depicted as a lion emerging from a crown or a similar object. Similarly, a sword jessant may be shown as a sword emerging from a bishop's mitre.
The term jessant is crucial in the language of heraldry, as it provides a way to describe and represent the intricate and symbolic imagery found on coats of arms and crests. It allows for the identification and differentiation of various elements within a design, adding depth and meaning to the overall composition. By utilizing the concept of jessant, designers and heraldic artists can create visually striking and storytelling representations that continue to resonate with the tradition and artistry of heraldry.
The word "jessant" is derived from the Old French term "jesser", which means "to throw" or "to cast". It originated from the Latin word "jacere", which carries a similar meaning.
In heraldry, "jessant" refers to a depiction of a creature's head emerging from a coronet, crown, or other symbol. The term is often used to describe heraldic designs in which an animal's head arises or springs forward from another figure.