rule of tincture

English

Gilbert Denys' arms don't follow the rule, putting a bend azure on gules. The d'Agards don't follow it if viewed as a chief azure on gules (but follow it if viewed as party per chief, azure and gules). The Salters' Co. follows the rule, as a shield party per chevron, azure and gules is considered divided into two colours, not a colour put on a colour. Gules, a chevron argent is fine, as metal can be on colour.

Noun

rule of tincture

1. (heraldry) A design philosophy, or rule of thumb, found in some heraldic traditions, that "metal should not be put on metal, nor colour on colour".

Translations

heraldic rule of thumb: "no metal on metal, nor colour on colour"

• Swedish: tinkturregeln c

Further reading

• rule of tincture on Wikipedia.Wikipedia