Comments on: Lambda Chi Alpha Coat of Arms: Lion http://uwwlca.com/2007/07/20/lambda-chi-alpha-coat-of-arms-lion/ UW-Whitewater Lambda Chi Alpha, Chi Delta Rho, Delta Kappa, and Beta Kappa Nu Alumni Wed, 20 Aug 2008 14:35:40 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.1 By: Vijay Kaul http://uwwlca.com/2007/07/20/lambda-chi-alpha-coat-of-arms-lion/#comment-165 Vijay Kaul Sat, 18 Aug 2007 19:11:57 +0000 http://uwwlca.com/?p=82#comment-165 Which it really, really should never be (white). Silver, or Argent in heraldry, is represented as white, and the paramount rule in heraldry is, for maintaining contrast, is to not place "color on color" or "metal or metal". You'll note that when a white lion is used on a silver shield, an outline (in this case, brown) is necessary to create contrast. In heraldry, this would be blazoned "fimbriated" for outlined -- though brown was rarely used by English speaking heralds. Mason went to the trouble of designing a heraldically correct coat of arms because he knew there was value in it. I think we should respect his work and our symbols by maintaining that tradition. Which it really, really should never be (white). Silver, or Argent in heraldry, is represented as white, and the paramount rule in heraldry is, for maintaining contrast, is to not place “color on color” or “metal or metal”.

You’ll note that when a white lion is used on a silver shield, an outline (in this case, brown) is necessary to create contrast. In heraldry, this would be blazoned “fimbriated” for outlined — though brown was rarely used by English speaking heralds.

Mason went to the trouble of designing a heraldically correct coat of arms because he knew there was value in it. I think we should respect his work and our symbols by maintaining that tradition.

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