Fraternity and Sorority Arms, Seals, Flags and other Insignia

[Psi U MC Vito]

Originally Posted by MysticCat

The only other GLO that I can think of that does something similar is Theta Nu Xi, which uses Carolina Blue as one of its colors. Are there other examples?

One of our colors is garnet in order to honor our institution of founding at Union College. I also have more information about the multiple coats of arms, straight from national.

The reason Psi U has one for each chapter goes back to our history. In about 1860 we stopped expanding to college campuses via transfers etc (The Iota chapter at Kenyon was the last old chapter started this way) and would only intake strong local organizations/societies/fraternities. The next chapter started from scratch wasn't until 1949 at Northwestern. Many of the older coat of arms for each chapter harken back to their former organization.

It wasn't until the very late 1800's that this system was decided, some chapters had a variant of their own coat of arms before this - nothing so formal but many had very elegant vignettes. Often things are taken from these to the much simpler coat of arms.

I'll talk more about our CoA later lol.

ETA: That was from one of the staff members at national, and is public information even if it isn't on the website.

[AGDLynn]

Interesting to read about the martlets in the Delta Chi magazine. My family is linked to the Leftwiches of England. In describing our Coat of Arms,

Martlets (mythical footless swallows who loved flight so much they never landed, therefore they didn’t need legs) are thought to represent the swift. Since the swift never lands this symbol has been used as a sign of a younger son who has no land of his own, therefore no place to rest. It may signify one who has to subsist by virtue and merit, not inheritance. It is also thought that this is an emblem of one who has been on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land.

Stefan Oliver, An Introduction to Heraldry, Quantum Books, pp. 70.
http://leftwich.org/ArmsMeaning.htm

[PrettyBoy]

[Gusteau]

Originally Posted by AGDLynn

Interesting to read about the martlets in the Delta Chi magazine. My family is linked to the Leftwiches of England. In describing our Coat of Arms,

Martlets (mythical footless swallows who loved flight so much they never landed, therefore they didn’t need legs) are thought to represent the swift. Since the swift never lands this symbol has been used as a sign of a younger son who has no land of his own, therefore no place to rest. It may signify one who has to subsist by virtue and merit, not inheritance. It is also thought that this is an emblem of one who has been on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land.

Stefan Oliver, An Introduction to Heraldry, Quantum Books, pp. 70.
http://leftwich.org/ArmsMeaning.htm

I'm glad you enjoyed the article, and that you posted this information regarding martlets. I've done a ton of research on martlets because of my interest in heraldry and their connection with Delta Chi. This is one of those times I wish I could wax sentimental about their Ritual significance, but I will only say that it is truly beautiful.

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by Psi U MC Vito

One of our colors is garnet in order to honor our institution of founding at Union College.

I didn't know this. Cool.

PrettyBoy, thanks for posting Kappa Alpha Psi's arms. Is there anything you can tell us about them? (Understood if there's not.)