Congratulations to the Terriers of Boston University (my wife’s alma mater), who pulled out a miraculous 4-3 overtime victory in the national collegiate ice hockey championship final last night. Heraldically relevant because BU has an excellent coat of arms, albeit seldom used these days.
http://www.jacobschapel.com/clientimages/28090/brass_shield.jpg
Argent a cross patonce Gules enfiled with three crowns in pale Or.
Oh, yeah, and congratulations to the champions of that other winter sport, too, who also have a coat of arms, if not as well-designed.
The BU Arms are indeed very nice. The three Crowns are from the Arms of Boston in the United Kingdom I guess. But what is the symbolism of the Cross?
Marcus K;68411 wrote:
The BU Arms are indeed very nice. The three Crowns are from the Arms of Boston in the United Kingdom I guess. But what is the symbolism of the Cross?
As to the crowns, yes, exactly.
The cross symbolizes… Christianity (surprise!). BU was founded as a Methodist institution. It is now a private nonsectarian university; the downplaying of the university’s historically Christian identity is apparently why the arms are less widely used than before, although the university seal also has a cross on it.
http://www.bu.edu/students/matriculation/graphics/photos/seal.jpg
(Note: the horizontal lines on the cross should not be taken as Pietrasancta hatching for azure.)
True that the arms are not much used, the seal having displaced it, but there is a large flag bearing the shield and motto flying in front of Marsh Chapel everyday.
Thanks Joseph and Hugh for your information.
Two goals in the final minute of regulation, after pulling the goalie, and the winner in OT. Oh yeah!
GO BU!