Themes – books
To learn more about the arms illustrated, click on the images.
A BOOK – usually open, often inscribed with a motto – can be found in many academic coats of arms, and occasionally in those of other institutions. The oldest in the Eastern Cape would seem to be that of Rhodes University, which is inscribed with the motto Sapientam Exquiret Sapiens. Fort Hare University also has an inscribed book, the motto reading In Lumine Tue Videbimus Lumen. And Lawson Brown High School’s book is inscribed with the motto Per Ardua ad Astra.
Other books, not legibly inscribed, can be found in the crests of Pretoria University and the University of Port Elizabeth, the arms of the University of Transkei and of Stellenbosch University, as well as the arms of Alexander Road High School and Hoërskool Brandwag.
An open book that appears not as a symbol of learning, but a representative of holy Scripture, can be found in the arms of Bishop Michael Coleman of Port Elizabeth.
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