Excerpt:
Introduction by Professor Eric Thomas
Substance matters more than style, but style is not insignificant. The way the University presents itself says something about its characteristics – including its concern for quality.
By adhering as far as possible to these guidelines on the use of the University’s visual identity, we can all help to ensure that the organisation looks like it is – modern, but with important traditions; confident and dynamic; and, in spite of its marvellous diversity, united.
I commend the guidelines to you and should be grateful for your co-operation in applying them as existing materials run out or come up for replacement.
The Arms
The University Arms were granted on 4 December 1909, and comprise:
'argent on a cross quadrate gules the arms of the City of Bristol between in pale and a sun in splendour (for Wills) and an open book proper, leaved and clasped or, and inscribed with the words Nisi quia Dominus, and in fesse to the dexter a dolphin embowed (for Colston), and to the sinister a horse courant (for Fry), both of the third.'
The inscription on the book is the Latin opening of the 124th Psalm, 'If the lord himself had not (been on our side….)', and the motto granted with the Arms is Vim promovet insitam, from the fourth Ode of Horace's fourth book meaning '[Learning] promotes one's innate power'.
The arms of the City of Bristol appear in the centre of the University Arms. They date from 1569 and show a golden ship sailing from a silver castle - symbolic of Bristol's reputation as a great seafaring port and major trading centre.
Source:
University of Bristol
