Creatures originally seen with plates pointing backwards? (7)
I believe the answer is:
animals
'creatures' is the definition.
('animal' can be a synonym of 'creature')
I don't understand the remainder of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for animals that I've seen before include "Wild beasts" , "Living beings" , "pets maybe" , "Living things" , "brutal men" .)