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Blazon specifies the pose as precisely as the animal, and these are the terms it uses. A lion rampant rears on its hind legs; passant walks with one paw raised; statant stands with all four down — the difference between the last two is a single paw, which is the level of precision the system works at. Deer have their own set of terms entirely, and birds have another. Guardant and regardant are qualifiers rather than attitudes: they turn the head to the front or back over the shoulder. Knowing these is what turns a blazon from a list of words into a picture.
A beast reared on its hind legs with forelegs raised, shown in profile.
A beast walking, with three paws on the ground and the right forepaw raised.
A beast standing still in profile, all four paws on the ground.
A beast sitting on its haunches, forelegs straight on the ground.
A beast lying down with its head raised.
A bird shown from the front with both wings spread open.
A beast with its head turned to face the viewer.