Talk:Holy Britannian Empire/@comment-2A02:1812:1713:C100:E0F2:8CB7:F8DA:323D-20190108025251

I have some doubts as to the arguments that are being submitted as to why the coat of arms/flag is incorrect. (although I ultimately agree it is in violation of a rule of trincture.

While it is true that normally colour may not be over colour and metal may not be over metal, there are a number of exceptions to this rule. The most important exception (in this instance) being displayed elements having a colour that occurs naturally (ie. proper). Every element in question seems to have a natural colour.

"Sable a lion Or langued Gules and a serpent Vert langued Gules(or proper), both winged Argent, fighting and intertwined. Mantled Vert and Imperially crowned proper."

Lion Or may as well be Lion Proper as the coloration is more brown rather than yellown and brown is accepted as a correct natural colour. Langued gules in incorrect as the Lion is not extending a tongue. Serpent Vert may as well be serpent proper as green is a natural colour.

The attitudes are more difficult. The Lion could be described as Rampant Regardant and serpent as Erect. However since they are facing eachother, it doesn't really matter as combattant is clearly applicable.

Where I concede the incorrectness is probably true with regards to the mantling. The inside of the mantling should be Argent or Or (or some type of fur). While the outside is usually expected to be a dominant colour of the coat of arms, this is more of a guideline, as there are exceptions to this (admittedely they are relatively rare), so the use of Vert as opposed to Sable is not in itself a violation.

A final and somewhat exceptional element, if not strictly speaking forbidden are the two pennants used as supporters. Flags and banners have often been used as such, although I cannot think of a single instance where pennants were used. Though neither do I know of any rule that explicitly forbids it.

So I would say a blazoning would be something along the lines of: "Sable, a lion proper and a serpent proper langued Gules, both winged Argent, combatant and intertwined. Mantled Vert, Imperially crowned proper, supported by two pennants Argent an Orle Gules ."