SMM+S

jimmcginlay · Posted: Mon Jul 13, 2009 9:47 pm Post subject: The City of Glasgow Coat of Arms

Glasgow's Coat of Arms is reminiscent of the three crosses of Amsterdam as it is to be found all around the city. In fact its so common that if your Glaswegian you tend to forget its there.
It is based on the myth and legend of Saint Mungo, the patron saint of Glasgow, and Glaswegians often learned the story from an early age through the poem:

'Here is the Bird that never flew
Here is the Tree that never grew
Here is the Bell that never rang
Here is the Fish that never swam.'

The bird relates to a Robin which Mungo miraculously brought back to life.

St. Mungo came to Glasgow from Culross Abbey. The tree relates to the Hazel branch which Mungo miraculously set alight to re-kindle the holy fire of Culross Abbey which had been extinguished.

The Bell relates to St. Mungo's bell which tolled in Glasgow for many years calling for prayers for the saint's soul.

The fish refers to the story of the Briton Queen Langeoreth who was having an affair and gave her ring to her lover. Hearing of this her husband, King Hael demanded the ring. Her lover sought Mungo for help and he told the young knight to catch a salmon from the river Clyde. When he did the ring was miraculously found in the mouth of the fish (The Clyde was once a famous salmon river).

The Coat of Arms also bears the city's motto 'Let Glasgow Flourish'.

One of the finest example of the Coat of Arms in Glasgow, on the carved pediment of St. Andrew's in the Square.

Just across from the church is another example on the wall of the old Police Court building.

Adam Brown · Posted: Sun Jul 19, 2009 11:28 pm Post subject:

It is also used as decoration for the street lamps at the Cathedral Precinct

Here it is with the lamp behind a stout Glasgow worthy who I will post seperately when I get a chance

Adam
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