CREST (above): On a wreath argent and sable, a phoenix rising or.
Exact symbolism known only to initiated members of Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity. The phoenix rising reflects the "second founding" of Alpha Sigma Phi in 1907.
SHIELD (center): Quarterly argent and or, on a bend sable, three mullets (stars) or, all within a diminutive of a border or. On sinister chief a book open argent, pen and five hieroglyphics or, on dexter base a laurel wreath or, a Greek column minus capital argent, an ancient lamp or with rays sable.
Symbolism known only to initiated members of Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity.
MOTTO (below): On a ribbon or, "18 Causa : Latet : Vis : Est : Notissima 45" sable.
The open motto, in Latin, of the Fraternity, "Causa latet vis est notissima" (The cause is hidden (but) the results (are) well known) and the year founded at Yale University, 1845. The colons ( : ) separating the words of the motto are decorative.
The heraldic blazon is the description of the coat of arms in the traditional language and terminology of heraldry (derived from Old English and French). Sinister and dexter refer to the wearer's left and right, respectively; as you face the shield, the directions are reversed.
The heraldic tincture (color) "argent" (silver) is also used to describe the color white, while the tincture "or" (gold) also describes the color yellow. In traditional heraldry, the "rule of tincture" states that metals (the tinctures argent and or) should not be next to metals, nor colors next to colors; a rule designed to make the arms easily identifiable in the battlefield (the original purpose of the coat of arms). This rule is not strictly followed, as varying shades of the tinctures may also be used in the design of a coat-of arms.
In the traditional heraldry of the American college fraternity and sorority system, the coat of arms symbolically denotes many of the principles and ideals of the fraternity or sorority, traditionally secret and revealed only during the initiation ceremonies. Moreover, the right to use the fraternty's coat of arms is limited only to initiated members.
I am still researching information on the origin of the coat of arms. I presume that this design dates back to the second founding of Alpha Sigma Phi (after 1907), as the Oak Wreath Seal was used prior to this time. If anyone has any information on who designed the Coat of Arms, please PM or e-mail me.
Source: Alpha Alpha Chapter home page (now defunct, but the pages are still on OU's server)
www.ou.edu/student/greek/alpha-sigma-phi.
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