Coat of arms of the Isle of Man
Encyclopedia
The coat of arms of the Isle of Man dates from 12 July 1996. As the Isle of Man
is a Crown dependency
, the arms are more accurately described as The Arms of Her Majesty in right of the Isle of Man.
on 12 July 1996. The arms are an augmented form of the traditional arms. It has a threefold rotational symmetry
. See Frieze group
.
The traditional arms date back to the 13th century. The arms are recorded in the English Walford's Roll, and Camden Roll, as well as the French Wijbergen Roll. Within the Camden Roll the arms appear illustrated as: gules
, three mailed legs embowed, and conjoined at the thighs, argent
; the original Norman French blazon reads: "l'escu de gules, a treis iambes armes".
is emblazoned: Gules a triskele argent garnished and spurred Or
. The triskele (or triskelion
) is an ancient symbol, consisting of three branches or legs, that radiate from a centre. The symbol is found on the Isle of Man, and earlier on Sicily
. The Manx triskelion is known in the Manx language
as Ny Tree Cassyn ("The Three Legs"). The symbol has been associated with the island since at least the 13th century.
It is unknown how the Manx triskelion was originally adopted, and several theories have been put forward its origin. In 1607, English historian William Camden
stated that it was derived from the Sicilian triskelion. In 1885 John Newton considered the Manx triskelion originated in the mid 13th century, when the Pope offered the throne of Sicily to Edmund, son of King Henry III of England
. Newton noted that the wife of King Alexander III of Scotland
was Henry's daughter, and that Alexander visited the English court in 1255. Later in 1266, Norway ceded the Isle of Man to the Kingdom of Scotland
, and Newton considered it likely that Alexander utilised the triskelion for the arms of his new possession. It has also been suggested that the ancestry of the Manx triskelion can be traced to the triquetra
in a coin of Olaf Cuaran, a 10th century Norse-Gaelic warlord who was king of Northumbria and king of Dublin. Lending credibility to this theory is the current belief that the mediaeval Manx dynasty was related to that of Olaf Cuaran. However, the gap between the 10th century and late 13th century, when the Manx triskelion is first recorded, is wide indeed, and it has been noted that several kings from this period are known to have borne a galley as their emblem, and not a triskelion.
Early examples of the symbol are present in the Royal Arms ascribed to the King of Mann in several late 13th century armorials. The Manx triskelion also appears on the Manx Sword of State
, which is popularly said to date to the time of King Olaf the Black (d. 1237), although recent analysis has shown it more likely dates to about the 15th century. Another example can be seen on a 14th century stone cross in the churchyard of Maughold
. Another is example is a late 14th century seal of Sir William le Scrope
, Lord of Mann, in which the Manx triskelion is depicted in plate armour
, rather than mail
. Early representations of the Manx triskelion show the legs running clockwise, and later representations show the legs running in both directions.
is derived from the time of King John I of Mann
. In 1405, he was granted the Isle of Man
, on condition he paid homage
to King Henry IV of England
, and gave two peregrine falcons to him and every future English king their Coronation Day
. The descendants of John I ruled the Isle of Man until King George III of England assumed the Lordship
. The presentation of falcons continued on, until the coronation of King George IV of England, in 1822.
In keeping with the Viking history of the island, the raven
featured in Norse mythology. The chief god Odin was accompanied by the two ravens Huginn and Muninn.
and means: "whichever way you throw, it will stand". The motto dates to the 17th century, where it is first recorded as being present on Manx coin
age dating to the year 1668. It is possible that the motto became associated to the Manx triskelion through these coins.
Isle of Man
The Isle of Man , otherwise known simply as Mann , is a self-governing British Crown Dependency, located in the Irish Sea between the islands of Great Britain and Ireland, within the British Isles. The head of state is Queen Elizabeth II, who holds the title of Lord of Mann. The Lord of Mann is...
is a Crown dependency
Crown dependency
The Crown Dependencies are British possessions of the Crown, as opposed to overseas territories of the United Kingdom. They comprise the Channel Island Bailiwicks of Jersey and Guernsey in the English Channel, and the Isle of Man in the Irish Sea....
, the arms are more accurately described as The Arms of Her Majesty in right of the Isle of Man.
History
The Arms of Her Majesty in right of the Isle of Man were granted by Queen Elizabeth II, Lord of MannLord of Mann
The title Lord of Mann is used on the Isle of Man to refer to Queen Elizabeth II, who is the island's Lord Proprietor and head of state.-Relationship with the Crown:The title is not correctly used on its own...
on 12 July 1996. The arms are an augmented form of the traditional arms. It has a threefold rotational symmetry
Rotational symmetry
Generally speaking, an object with rotational symmetry is an object that looks the same after a certain amount of rotation. An object may have more than one rotational symmetry; for instance, if reflections or turning it over are not counted, the triskelion appearing on the Isle of Man's flag has...
. See Frieze group
Frieze group
A frieze group is a mathematical concept to classify designs on two-dimensional surfaces which are repetitive in one direction, based on the symmetries in the pattern. Such patterns occur frequently in architecture and decorative art...
.
The traditional arms date back to the 13th century. The arms are recorded in the English Walford's Roll, and Camden Roll, as well as the French Wijbergen Roll. Within the Camden Roll the arms appear illustrated as: gules
Gules
In heraldry, gules is the tincture with the colour red, and belongs to the class of dark tinctures called "colours". In engraving, it is sometimes depicted as a region of vertical lines or else marked with gu. as an abbreviation....
, three mailed legs embowed, and conjoined at the thighs, argent
Argent
In heraldry, argent is the tincture of silver, and belongs to the class of light tinctures, called "metals". It is very frequently depicted as white and usually considered interchangeable with it...
; the original Norman French blazon reads: "l'escu de gules, a treis iambes armes".
Escutcheon
The escutcheonEscutcheon
In heraldry, an escutcheon is a shield which forms the main or focal element in an achievement of arms. The word is used in two related senses....
is emblazoned: Gules a triskele argent garnished and spurred Or
Or (heraldry)
In heraldry, Or is the tincture of gold and, together with argent , belongs to the class of light tinctures called "metals". In engravings and line drawings, it may be represented using a field of evenly spaced dots...
. The triskele (or triskelion
Triskelion
A triskelion or triskele is a motif consisting of three interlocked spirals, or three bent human legs, or any similar symbol with three protrusions and a threefold rotational symmetry. Both words are from Greek or , "three-legged", from prefix "τρι-" , "three times" + "σκέλος" , "leg"...
) is an ancient symbol, consisting of three branches or legs, that radiate from a centre. The symbol is found on the Isle of Man, and earlier on Sicily
Sicily
Sicily is a region of Italy, and is the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. Along with the surrounding minor islands, it constitutes an autonomous region of Italy, the Regione Autonoma Siciliana Sicily has a rich and unique culture, especially with regard to the arts, music, literature,...
. The Manx triskelion is known in the Manx language
Manx language
Manx , also known as Manx Gaelic, and as the Manks language, is a Goidelic language of the Indo-European language family, historically spoken by the Manx people. Only a small minority of the Island's population is fluent in the language, but a larger minority has some knowledge of it...
as Ny Tree Cassyn ("The Three Legs"). The symbol has been associated with the island since at least the 13th century.
It is unknown how the Manx triskelion was originally adopted, and several theories have been put forward its origin. In 1607, English historian William Camden
William Camden
William Camden was an English antiquarian, historian, topographer, and officer of arms. He wrote the first chorographical survey of the islands of Great Britain and Ireland and the first detailed historical account of the reign of Elizabeth I of England.- Early years :Camden was born in London...
stated that it was derived from the Sicilian triskelion. In 1885 John Newton considered the Manx triskelion originated in the mid 13th century, when the Pope offered the throne of Sicily to Edmund, son of King Henry III of England
Henry III of England
Henry III was the son and successor of John as King of England, reigning for 56 years from 1216 until his death. His contemporaries knew him as Henry of Winchester. He was the first child king in England since the reign of Æthelred the Unready...
. Newton noted that the wife of King Alexander III of Scotland
Alexander III of Scotland
Alexander III was King of Scots from 1249 to his death.-Life:...
was Henry's daughter, and that Alexander visited the English court in 1255. Later in 1266, Norway ceded the Isle of Man to the Kingdom of Scotland
Kingdom of Scotland
The Kingdom of Scotland was a Sovereign state in North-West Europe that existed from 843 until 1707. It occupied the northern third of the island of Great Britain and shared a land border to the south with the Kingdom of England...
, and Newton considered it likely that Alexander utilised the triskelion for the arms of his new possession. It has also been suggested that the ancestry of the Manx triskelion can be traced to the triquetra
Triquetra
Triquetra originally meant "triangle" and was used to refer to various three-cornered shapes. Nowadays, it has come to refer exclusively to a particular more complicated shape formed of three vesicae piscis, sometimes with an added circle in or around it...
in a coin of Olaf Cuaran, a 10th century Norse-Gaelic warlord who was king of Northumbria and king of Dublin. Lending credibility to this theory is the current belief that the mediaeval Manx dynasty was related to that of Olaf Cuaran. However, the gap between the 10th century and late 13th century, when the Manx triskelion is first recorded, is wide indeed, and it has been noted that several kings from this period are known to have borne a galley as their emblem, and not a triskelion.
Early examples of the symbol are present in the Royal Arms ascribed to the King of Mann in several late 13th century armorials. The Manx triskelion also appears on the Manx Sword of State
Sword of State (Isle of Man)
The Manx Sword of State is a ceremonial sword that represents the Tynwald on the Isle of Man. It represents the duties of the Sovereign of the Isle of Man, and is used every month in Tynwald, and annually during the Tynwald Day ceremony. There have been three swords used for such functions over the...
, which is popularly said to date to the time of King Olaf the Black (d. 1237), although recent analysis has shown it more likely dates to about the 15th century. Another example can be seen on a 14th century stone cross in the churchyard of Maughold
Maughold
Saint Maughold of Man is venerated as the patron saint of the Isle of Man...
. Another is example is a late 14th century seal of Sir William le Scrope
William le Scrope, 1st Earl of Wiltshire
Sir William le Scrope, 1st Earl of Wiltshire, King of Mann KG was a close supporter of King Richard II of England. He was a second son of Richard le Scrope, 1st Baron Scrope of Bolton.-Life:...
, Lord of Mann, in which the Manx triskelion is depicted in plate armour
Plate armour
Plate armour is a historical type of personal armour made from iron or steel plates.While there are early predecessors such the Roman-era lorica segmentata, full plate armour developed in Europe during the Late Middle Ages, especially in the context of the Hundred Years' War, from the coat of...
, rather than mail
Chain Mail
"Chain Mail" is a single by Mancunian band James, released in March 1986 by Sire Records, the first after the band defected from Factory Records. The record was released in two different versions, as 7" single and 12" EP, with different artworks by John Carroll and, confusingly, under different...
. Early representations of the Manx triskelion show the legs running clockwise, and later representations show the legs running in both directions.
Supporters
The peregrine falconPeregrine Falcon
The Peregrine Falcon , also known as the Peregrine, and historically as the Duck Hawk in North America, is a widespread bird of prey in the family Falconidae. A large, crow-sized falcon, it has a blue-gray back, barred white underparts, and a black head and "moustache"...
is derived from the time of King John I of Mann
John I Stanley of the Isle of Man
Sir John I Stanley, KG was Lord Lieutenant of Ireland and titular King of Mann, the first of that name. The Stanley family later became the Earls of Derby and remained prominent in English history into modern times.-Early years:...
. In 1405, he was granted the Isle of Man
Isle of Man
The Isle of Man , otherwise known simply as Mann , is a self-governing British Crown Dependency, located in the Irish Sea between the islands of Great Britain and Ireland, within the British Isles. The head of state is Queen Elizabeth II, who holds the title of Lord of Mann. The Lord of Mann is...
, on condition he paid homage
Homage
Homage is a show or demonstration of respect or dedication to someone or something, sometimes by simple declaration but often by some more oblique reference, artistic or poetic....
to King Henry IV of England
Henry IV of England
Henry IV was King of England and Lord of Ireland . He was the ninth King of England of the House of Plantagenet and also asserted his grandfather's claim to the title King of France. He was born at Bolingbroke Castle in Lincolnshire, hence his other name, Henry Bolingbroke...
, and gave two peregrine falcons to him and every future English king their Coronation Day
Coronation Day
Coronation Day is the anniversary of the coronation of a monarch, the day a king or queen is formally crowned and invested with the regalia.-Coronation Day of Commonwealth realms monarchs:* Elizabeth II - 2 June 1953* George VI - 12 May 1937...
. The descendants of John I ruled the Isle of Man until King George III of England assumed the Lordship
Lord of Mann
The title Lord of Mann is used on the Isle of Man to refer to Queen Elizabeth II, who is the island's Lord Proprietor and head of state.-Relationship with the Crown:The title is not correctly used on its own...
. The presentation of falcons continued on, until the coronation of King George IV of England, in 1822.
In keeping with the Viking history of the island, the raven
Raven
Raven is the common name given to several larger-bodied members of the genus Corvus—but in Europe and North America the Common Raven is normally implied...
featured in Norse mythology. The chief god Odin was accompanied by the two ravens Huginn and Muninn.
Motto
The motto is quocunque jeceris stabit, which is LatinLatin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
and means: "whichever way you throw, it will stand". The motto dates to the 17th century, where it is first recorded as being present on Manx coin
Coin
A coin is a piece of hard material that is standardized in weight, is produced in large quantities in order to facilitate trade, and primarily can be used as a legal tender token for commerce in the designated country, region, or territory....
age dating to the year 1668. It is possible that the motto became associated to the Manx triskelion through these coins.
See also
- List of coats of arms of the United Kingdom and dependencies
- Flag of the Isle of ManFlag of the Isle of ManThe flag of the Isle of Man, or flag of Mann , is a triskelion, composed of three armoured legs with golden spurs, upon a red background. It has been the official flag of Mann since 1931 and is based on the Manx coat of arms, which dates to the 13th century. The three legs are known in Manx as ny...