Newsletter No. 47

CUHK Newsletter No.47 October 1993 Emblems and Mot tos Heraldry of medieval Europeissometimes regardedas the 'shorthand of history'. Through the hereditaryuseof special arrangements ofchargesand other devices on a shield, armorial bearingsillustratetjehistoryofp rominent persons,familiesand communities. An armorial bearingwas in those days a symbol of the owner's identity and a mark of his status. It also represented the heroicachievement sof his ancestors and helped to perpetuate their memory. Emblems found in modernsocietyhave a similar function of distinguishing, differencingandillustratinginstitutionsand corporations . Their design is governed by not only aesthetic considerations butalso theneedto aptly reflect the natureand the social or cultural heritage of particular groups. In manycases,mottos are employedasadjunct s to conveysuccinctlythemissionsand aspirations of such groups Just as a slight knowledge of medieval heraldry can make all the difference inlooking atoldhouses, churches andmonuments pleasure trip to Europe, a general understanding of the symbolism of theemblemsandmottosofinstitutions may helpus appreciate that much better their uniquenss and aspirations. AstheUniveristycelebratesits30thanniversary this year, it may be worth the while to bring toreader sinthi s issuea brief description of theemblems andmotto sof the Universityandits constituent colleges. U n i v e r s i t y E m b l e m Of the five emblems under scrutiny, only the University emblem is a formal armorial bearing registered at the College of Arms in London. It depicts the mythical Chinese bird 'feng' , or 'Bird of the South', on a shield of arms. Many suggestions had been put forward to the Distinctive Marks and Ceremonial Dress Committee responsible for choosing a suitable charge for the University. Committee members were of one mind that the charge must be truly heraldic, simple, and quite unlike that of any other institution in either education or other fields in the territory. And as the University is a 'Chinese' university located in Hong Kong in the southern part of China, the committee finally decided in 1964 to use the 'feng' symbol, which has since the Han dynasty (206 BC - AD 220) been closely associated with the South, and with attributes like nobility, beauty, loyalty, and majesty. The pattern that was eventually adopted on the shield was derived from designs of birds inscribed on ancient Chinese bronzes, thus suggesting an intimate relationship with great intellectual and scholarly traditions of China, and conveying a sense of immense continuity for which Chinese civilization is so celebrated. Purple and gold were then chosen as the colours of the University, and the Distinctive Marks and Ceremonial Dress Committee had this to say about the two colours: 'Purple is a traditional regal colour in both Western and Chinese civilizations. It signifies devotion and loyalty. Gold gives the feeling of brilliance and richness in scholastic pursuit. It also symbolizes perseverance, the will, and resolution.' Written on a scroll under the shield in seal script is the motto of the University 博文約禮 (Bo wen yue li). 4