The University Shield

In preparation for my time at the University of St. Andrew's, Scotland, and the UK as a whole, I've decided I'll try to provide some interesting facts, history, and anything that else that comes to mind in the time that leads up to my departure. Today, I've decided to address the University shield.

At the top of the shield is a crescent moon surrounded on either side by two gold diamonds. The crescent moon is to honor Pope Benedict XIII, who's given name was Peter de Luna. It was Pope Benedict who issued a papal bull in 1413 to establish a Catholic university at St. Andrew's. Some of you may be wondering why the University is Catholic, as Scotland is a mainly Protestant country. Although if you recall your European history, Protestantism did not emerge in what was then England until King Henry VIII, who ascended the throne in 1509. Henry's desire to divorce first wife Catherine of Aragon led him to break with the Catholic church, which would not allow the divorce, and establish his own sect of Christianity, Protestantism. Hence, the reason St. Andrew's was established by papal bull. The two gold diamonds are taken from the personal arms of Henry Wardlaw, the Bishop of St. Andrew's from 1404 to 1440. It was Bishop Wardlaw who issued the charter which incorporated the Stadium Generale in 1411/12.

At the bottom of the shield is what is called a lion rampant. The lion rampant is derived from the Scottish Royal Coat of Arms and is representative of King James of Scotland, as it was during his reign that the University was established.

The open book with red page edges situated above the lion rampant symbolizes learning, something that the University constantly strives to promote amongst its students and faculty. The University's motto ΑΙΕΝ ΑΡΙΣΤΕΥΕΙΝ (Aien Aristeuein) means "Ever to be the best", only further reflects the University's desire to excel in academics and learning.

The final element of the shield is the red and blue cross. If you haven't figured out by now that that is modeled after the Scottish flag, then I'm appalled. Seriously, go study flags.

This concludes my history lesson for tonight. More are certainly to come in the future!