Adopted 1988 | Motto "Bersatu dan Setia" | |
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Crest "Areca-nut palm leaved and fructed Proper" | ||
The civic coat of arms of Penang is largely based on the coat of arms of Penang first granted to the Settlement (now State) of Penang, then in the Federation of Malaya, by a Royal Warrant of King George VI dated 11 September 1949.
Contents
- Settlement and state arms
- Present day state arms
- City council arms
- Present day city council arms
- References
Between 1911 (the date of a previous Royal Warrant) and 1946, when the colony of the Straits Settlements was dissolved, the Settlement was represented in the Straits Settlements coat of arms by the second quarter, Argent on a mount an areca nut palm tree Proper. The Areca-nut palm is the tree from which Penang (Pulau Pinang, or "Areca-nut-palm Island") derives its name.
Settlement and state arms
The coat of arms as granted was blazoned:
Shield: Barry wavy of eight Azure and Argent upon a chief crenellée Or a plume of three ostrich feathers surmounted by a riband of the First on the riband the words Ich Dien in letters of the ThirdCrest: On a wreath of the Colours upon a mount a Pinang or Areca-nut palm leaved and fructed Proper.The Prince of Wales's feathers and the motto Ich Dien referred to the fact that Penang was founded in 1786 as the Prince of Wales Island, while the blue and white bars are in reference to the Straits of Malacca that surround Penang island, separating it from Province Wellesley on the mainland.
The Areca-nut palm on the crest represents the origins of the Island's name.
The motto Bersatu dan Setia ("United and Loyal") was adopted by the Settlement Council of Penang in 1950. As this was during the height of the Penang secession movement, the motto may to many people at the time have referred to loyalty to the British Crown, rather than to the Federation of Malaya. Penang also has an unofficial motto, "Let Penang Lead".
Present-day state arms
Subsequently, after the construction of the Penang Bridge in 1982-1985, the state coat of arms was changed to the present design, which can be blazoned as:
Shield: Barry wavy of ten Azure and Argent upon a chief Or a depiction of the Penang Bridge ProperCrest: On a wreath of the Colours upon a mount a Pinang or Areca-nut palm leaved and fructed ProperMotto: "Bersatu dan Setia".City council arms
The arms of the Municipal Council (from 1 January 1957, City Council) of George Town were granted by the English College of Arms on 4 September 1953, and are based on the arms of the Settlement of Penang:
Shield: Barry wavy of eight Azure and Argent a plume of three ostrich feathers Proper tied with a riband Or a chief embattled of the LastCrest: On a wreath of the Colours issuant from a wreath of palm Vert a lion passant guardant AzureMotto: "Leading We Serve"The motto is a combination of the motto of the Prince of Wales, Ich Dien (I serve), and the unofficial motto of Penang, "Let Penang Lead".
Present-day city council arms
In 1974, the City Council of George Town was merged with the Penang Rural District Council to form the Municipal Council of Penang Island, now the City Council of Penang Island. The arms of the municipality is displayed on a native shield and contains much local symbolism, but generally conforms to traditional English heraldic principles, and may be blazoned as follows:
Shield: Barry wavy of eight Azure and Argent a chief embattled Or overall a Pinang or areca-nut palm leaved and fructed ProperCrest: On a wreath of the Colours mantled Vert doubled Or a crescent therefrom issuant a mullet of the LastSupporters: On a compartment of waves barry wavy Azure and Argent issuant therefrom a mount Vert two dolphins hauriant torqued of the First finned OrMotto: "Memimpin Sambil Berkhidmat" ("Leading We Serve")The municipal arms is retained by the City Council of Penang Island, which was accorded city status for the entire Penang Island in 2015 and succeeded the Municipal Council.
The Municipal Council of Province Wellesley, which replaced the North, Central and South Province Wellesley District Councils, does not have a regular coat of arms.