University of Otago - Coat of Arms

Coat of Arms

The blazon of the arms granted by the Lyon King of Arms, Scotland, is; Azure, on a saltire cantoned between four mullets of six points Or, a book, gilt-edged and bound in a cover Gules charged with a mullet of six points of the second and a book-marker of the third issuant from the page-foot, and in an Escrol under the same this Motto "Sapere Aude".

The motto may be translated as 'dare to be wise' or 'have courage to be wise'.

What the blazon means. The shield is first described and it is blue (azure.) On the shield is a saltire which is an “X” shaped object. On the saltire sits a gilt edged book the cover of which is red (gules.) On the cover of the book is a star (mullet) of six points. Mullets normally only have five points. At the foot of the book is a bookmark also in red being the third colour mentioned. The saltire and the book are surrounded by four other stars each also of six points which are placed in the spaces formed by the saltire. The five stars and the saltire are all coloured gold (or) which was the second colour mentioned. An Escrol is the scroll under the shield containing the motto.