The coat of arms of the University of Oxford depicts an open book with the inscription ''
Dominus Illuminatio Mea
''Dominus illuminatio mea'' (Latin for 'The Lord is my light') is the incipit (opening words) of Psalm 27 and is used by the University of Oxford as its motto. It has been in use there since at least the second half of the sixteenth century, ...
'' (
Latin
Latin (, or , ) is a classical language belonging to the Italic branch of the Indo-European languages. Latin was originally a dialect spoken in the lower Tiber area (then known as Latium) around present-day Rome, but through the power of the ...
for 'The Lord is my light'), surrounded by three golden crowns. It is
blazon
In heraldry and heraldic vexillology, a blazon is a formal description of a coat of arms, flag or similar emblem, from which the reader can reconstruct the appropriate image. The verb ''to blazon'' means to create such a description. The vis ...
ed:
''Azure, upon a book open proper leathered gules garnished or having on the dexter side seven seals of the last the words DOMINVS ILLVMINATIO MEA all between three open crowns two and one or.''
The arms have been in existence since about 1400, but have varied in appearance over the centuries. The number of seals and the text, for example, have both varied. The registered trademark of the University, designed in 1993, shows the arms on a cartouche circumscribed by a garter bearing the text ''UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD''.
Fox-Davies describes three possible texts: ''
In p'ncipia erat verbu, et verbu erat apud deu'', ''Dominus Illuminatio Mea'', and ''Sapienta felicitas''.
In his ''Display of Heraldrie'' (1610),
John Guillim
John Guillim (c. 1565 – 7 May 1621) of Minsterworth, Gloucestershire, was an antiquarian and officer of arms at the College of Arms in London. He is best remembered for his monumental work on heraldry, ''A Display of Heraldry'', first pub ...
interprets the arms as follows:
The Book itself some have thought to signifie that Book mentioned in the ''Apocalyps'', having seven Seals: but these here are taken rather to be the seven Liberal Sciences, and the Crowns to be the reward and honour of Learning and Wisdome; and the triplicity of the Crowns are taken to represent the three Cardinal Professions or Faculties before specified Physick_and_Law.html"_;"title="Medicine.html"_;"title="heology,_Medicine">Physick_and_Law">Medicine.html"_;"title="heology,_Medicine">Physick_and_Law_The_Inscription_I_find_to_vary_according_to_variety_of_times:_some_having_''Sapientia_&_Felicitate'',_Wisdome_and_Happiness;_others_(and_that_very_ancient)_''Deus_illuminatio_mea'',_The_Lord_is_my_light;_others_this,_''Veritas_liberat,_bonitas_regnabit'',_Truth_frees_us,_Godliness_crowneth_us;_and_others_thus,_''John_1:1.html" ;"title="Medicine">Physick_and_Law.html" ;"title="Medicine.html" ;"title="heology, Medicine">Physick and Law">Medicine.html" ;"title="heology, Medicine">Physick and Law The Inscription I find to vary according to variety of times: some having ''Sapientia & Felicitate'', Wisdome and Happiness; others (and that very ancient) ''Deus illuminatio mea'', The Lord is my light; others this, ''Veritas liberat, bonitas regnabit'', Truth frees us, Godliness crowneth us; and others thus, ''John 1:1">In principio, &c.'' In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God.
See also
* Armorial of UK universities
* ''Dominus illuminatio mea''
* University of Oxford
References
External links
Oxford University Archives webpage on the arms of the university
*
ttp://www.theheraldrysociety.com/articles/arms_by_theme/oxford_colleges.htm Coats of arms of constituent colleges of the University of Oxford
Culture of the University of Oxford
History of the University of Oxford
Oxford
Oxford () is a city in England. It is the county town and only city of Oxfordshire. In 2020, its population was estimated at 151,584. It is north-west of London, south-east of Birmingham and north-east of Bristol. The city is home to the ...
Oxford University
Oxford () is a city in England. It is the county town and only city of Oxfordshire. In 2020, its population was estimated at 151,584. It is north-west of London, south-east of Birmingham and north-east of Bristol. The city is home to the ...
Oxford University
Oxford () is a city in England. It is the county town and only city of Oxfordshire. In 2020, its population was estimated at 151,584. It is north-west of London, south-east of Birmingham and north-east of Bristol. The city is home to the ...
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