Defense of the Pacifica School Crest
A Brief History of Heraldry
Heraldry has been defined as the art of blazoning, assigning, and marshalling a coat of arms. Between 1135 and 155 A.D., seals show the general adoption of heraldic devices in Europe. Historians once theorized that a coat of arms enabled a knight to be recognized by his followers during battle. The coat of arms became hereditary just as a knight inherited the right to lead or the duty to follow another leader in battle.
The earliest coats of arms were fairly simple: bars or wavy lines, a lion rampant or an eagle displayed, or an arrangement of fleurs-de-lis. The designs became more complex as the years passed, and the practice of quartering (incorporating the arms of other families acquired through marriages) developed.
The word “heraldry” is derived from the German “heer” – a host, an army, and “held” – a champion. The term “blazon,” by which the science of heraldry is denoted in English is probably derived from the German word “blazen” – to blow the horn. Whenever a new knight appeared at a tournament, the herald sounded the trumpet, and as the competitors attended with closed visors, it was his duty to explain the bearing of the shield or coat-armor belonging to each.
[Information taken from Fleur-de-lis Designs at www.fleurdelis.com]
Our Motto
Pacifica’s motto is “Gratia et Veritas,” which is Latin for Grace and Truth. In the Gospel According to John, he describes how “the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14).
Color of Our Shield
The color blue symbolizes peace, calm, stability, harmony, and loyalty. For the Hebrews, the color blue represented holiness. In Christianity, the color blue resonates the hope of Heaven and the pursuit for Truth.
First Element of Our Shield
The Bible symbol represents the living Word of God; the cross is a sign of the crucifixion, the great price Jesus paid for our salvation. This symbol reminds us of His sacrifice, His love, and our hope in Him.
Second Element of Our Shield
A sprig of laurel has its origins in antiquity; since before the days of Christ, the laurel wreath has been associated with triumph, specifically athletic victory. It began, though, not with Olympic games, but with another panhellenic festival, the Pythian games, sacred to Apollo. Apollo pursued the lovely Daphne, but she was doomed by Eros to flee from love. She was turned into a laurel tree, and from that day forward, Apollo wore a wreath made from the leaves of his beloved. So, in honor of Apollo, a laurel wreath crowned the victor at his Pythian games.
Third Element of Our Shield
The lion is known for its dauntless courage and impressive strength. In Christianity, the lion represents Christ. As stated in Proverbs, “[T]here are three things which are majestic in pace… a lion, which is mighty among beasts…” (Proverbs 30:29). The Lord is frequently likened to a lion, as in the passage from Amos claiming that the “Lord roars from Zion” (Amos 1:2). Finally, in Revelation, the Lord roars against Israel to take heed as the “lion of the tribe of Judah” (Revelation 5:5). We must remember to be as bold as a lion, speaking the words of Christ, which are as powerful as a lion’s roar.
Fourth Element of Our Shield
The “fleur-de-lis,” or flower of the lily, has long been held as a symbol of purity and light. Legend has it that an angel presented Clovis, the Merovingian King of the Franks, with a golden lily as a symbol of his purification upon his conversion to Christianity. Joan of Arc carried a white banner that showed God blessing the French Royal emblem, the fleur-de-lis, when she led French troops to victory over Charles VII. Due to its three petals, the fleur-de-lis has also been used to represent the Holy Trinity, and it is the traditional flower of Easter.