In heraldry, describes an animal or figure shown in profile facing left (the reverse of the standard position).
From Old French 'contourné,' the past participle of 'contourner' (to turn around), describing something turned in the opposite direction from normal.
In medieval heraldry, 'contourné' animals were deliberate reversals—if a lion normally faced right, showing it facing left signaled important distinctions in lineage and status, proving that even direction carried coded meaning in feudal society.
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