Reader Queries:
The
Symbolism of CUA’s Coat of Arms
By Nathan Bartel What
is that strange moon on its back in the top left corner of CUA’s shield?
That was one of the things Associate Professor of
Biomedical Engineering Chris Kirtley asked when he suggested that Inside
CUA Online run a story about the symbolism of the ubiquitous Catholic
University logo. Following is a brief
introduction to the history, meaning and proper uses of the shield The CUA shield, more properly called the coat of arms, was designed by a heraldry specialist named Pierre de Chaignon la Rose and approved in 1935 to replace the university’s original coat of arms. (The original incorporated the entire coat of arms of the United States of America, a practice that turned out to be prohibited by federal law.) The university’s current coat of arms emphasizes three
things: our country, our faith and our university. To emphasize Catholic University’s patriotism and national
scope, its coat of arms contains colors and symbols strongly associated with
the United States. The shield features a cross composed of red and white
stripes placed on a field of blue and white, deliberately recalling the
American flag. Note that only the
three national colors are prominently used in the shield’s design (the book
in the middle is edged in gold). The cross is indicative of CUA’s Catholic identity. The red stripes are emblematic of the
blood of Christ, while the white stripes recall the innocence of Christ. Beneath the cross, the shield’s colors of
blue and white are the heraldic colors of Our Lady, the Blessed Mother of
God, who stood beneath Christ’s cross. The open book in the middle represents the university’s
primary charter as a place of learning.
The book’s inscription, “Deus Lux Mea Est,” which means “God is my
light,” points to the source of all truth and enlightenment. Finally, the crescent in the upper left quadrant — which
looks like a moon on its back — is the heraldic symbol of Our Lady of the
Immaculate Conception, who has been declared patroness of the United States
and is also patroness of Catholic University. The crescent therefore makes reference to all three elements of
the shield: our country, our faith and our university.
The CUA shield is considered the common property of everyone in the CUA community, and must be used to adorn university letterhead, brochures, newsletters and other such materials. The CUA seal, however — which is the coat of arms encircled by the words “The Catholic University of America 1887” — is an official insignia of the university. Its only proper use is the authentification of official university documents such as diplomas and may never be used for decorative purposes. Because Catholic
University has a reputation to maintain and promote as an institution
dedicated to excellence, it is important that our name and logo be used consistently.
This helps to solidify our identity and to raise our profile in a positive
way among our many audiences — alumni, students, parents, clergy, the
academic community, the media and the general public. For these reasons, the
CUA Office of Publications and Services (202-319-5633) needs to review all of
the university’s published materials, including ads, before they are printed
and distributed. Inside CUA Online would like to hear from you. If you have a question about the university or a story idea, please write us at cua-public-affairs@cua.edu or call 202-319-6984. |
