Coat of arms of Sydney

Coat of arms of Sydney

Coat of arms of Sydney is the official heraldic symbol representing the City of Sydney, a local government area in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Granted by the College of Arms in England on 30 October 1908, the coat of arms is a significant emblem that encapsulates the history, culture, and aspirations of Sydney and its people.

Description

The coat of arms features a shield supported by two animals: a kangaroo and a cockatoo, both native to the Australian continent. Atop the shield is a mural crown, a common symbol in civic heraldry representing municipal authority. The crown is adorned with a ship, signifying Sydney's status as a major port city.

The shield itself is divided into four quadrants, each bearing symbols that reflect Sydney's heritage and natural environment:

• The first quadrant shows a wheat sheaf, symbolizing agriculture.
• The second quadrant displays a whale emerging from the sea, representing the city's maritime history.
• The third quadrant contains a pickaxe and shovel, denoting mining.
• The fourth quadrant features a castle, indicative of Sydney's European settlement and its growth as a fortified community.

Below the shield, the motto "I take but I surrender" is inscribed on a scroll. This phrase encapsulates the spirit of cooperation and mutual respect that has characterized the city's development.

Symbolism

Each element of the coat of arms holds deep symbolic meaning:

• The kangaroo and cockatoo as supporters reflect Australia's unique fauna and Sydney's rich biodiversity.
• The mural crown with a ship highlights Sydney's origins as a penal colony and its evolution into a bustling port and economic hub.
• The wheat sheaf, whale, pickaxe and shovel, and castle in the shield's quadrants represent the city's economic foundations: agriculture, whaling, mining, and defense, respectively.
• The motto underscores Sydney's ethos of balance between taking from and giving back to the community and environment.

Usage

The coat of arms is used in official capacities by the City of Sydney, appearing on official documents, public buildings, and other municipal properties. It serves as a visual representation of the city's authority and heritage, and is a source of pride for its citizens.

See also

• Heraldry
• City of Sydney
• New South Wales
• Australia