Heraldic Commentary Update 2

In accordance with heraldic tradition, the motto-bearing scroll has been more strongly tied in with the shield and shaped in conformant style. The Congregation’s old coat of arms, consistent with the general description, may be still used until the time of introduc- tion of the new and heraldically correct model. However, it is important to change the elements which, by neglecting the rules of heraldry, expose the emblem to critical remarks. First, the blue must be eliminated from the Immaculate Mary’s clothes so that the image becomes consistent with the principle of heral- dic alternation . Second, it is desirable to unify the color of the serpent by removing barely visible – and thus needless for such a type of graphic sign as a coat of arms – details such as dia- mond-shaped markings of the serpent. This would leave it green-colored. Third, the crescent must be of the same clear and obvious color (white, silver) as the stars, Mary’s garments, and the lily. Naturally, if tonal variations of colors are used, these elements may have a certain amount of gray in them. However, by the flat filling with color, the grayish hue of the crescent sug- gests the presence within the arms of an additional, totally non- heraldic color. Rarely used in heraldry brown color of the globe may possibly remain, because, as the second-plan detail, it is not subject to the rule of alternation . Yet change of this color to the metallic gold is advisable. D ESCRIPTION OF THE COAT OF ARMS In principle, aside from rare exceptions, the blazoning of arms does not include the description of the form of the shield. Usually, it is an arbitrary matter modified according to the style of the period. In view of the Congregation of Marian Fathers’ wish to have a specific, Baroque-style shield, this fact is in- cluded in the description also. 25