Coat of arms of the BBC

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The coat of arms.

The coat of arms of the BBC was adopted in March 1927 to represent the purpose and values of the corporation. While the coat of arms is now in relative obscurity — it does not appear on BBC programmes for example - this was not always the case. From 1993 to 1999 a computer generated 3-D glass sculpture appeared prominently at the beginning and end of BBC News broadcasts (see picture), as part of a "virtual studio".

Elements

The various elements of the coat of arms were chosen to provide a heraldic translation of the qualities of the BBC.

• Lion — the crest of the coat of arms has a lion above the helmet. The lion is the national animal of the UK and indicates the BBC's British identity.
• Thunderbolt — The lion grasps a thunderbolt in its outstretched paw, this to represent broadcasting itself (transmission).
• Eagles — In heraldic language the two eagles which grasp the shield are "supporters". Eagles were chosen to depict the inherent speed of broadcasting. Both eagles have bugles suspended from their collars, representing "proclamation", i.e. the public service element of broadcasting.
• Motto — The coat of arms features the BBC motto, "Nation shall speak peace unto Nation"
• Shield
  • Globe — the globe in the shield of the coat of arms represents the scope and breadth of the BBC's operations
  • Estoiles — Around the globe are seven estoiles, heraldic symbols for divine goodness and nobility. Their place in the shield increase the representation of the scope and breadth of the corporation. (They also symbolize the planets, other than the Earth, known at the time of the BBC's founding. Pluto was not discovered at the time, and indeed has since been demoted)

The background of the shield, the mantling (drapery depicted tied to the helmet above the shield) and the collars of the eagles are blue (azure in heraldry).

Background

The idealistic BBC motto is most likely based on biblical verses from the Book of Micah and the Book of Isaiah: "Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore. In 1934 the motto was changed to "Quaecunque", meaning "Whatsoever". The motto later reverted to the original.

In the BBC's "virtual" news set from the mid-1990s much of what was seen was computer generated using Silicon Graphics systems. The titles opened to the BBC News logo overlaid on the spinning globe. The shot widened to include the whole coat of arms and finally the whole set (of which only the newsreaders and parts of the desk were real). The coat of arms, studio lights, floor and the majority of the desk were all computer generated.

The style of the coat of arms has changed considerably over time; from the style of the motto, the formality of the lion and eagles, the alignment of the shield (it was tilted in early versions, and is now perfectly straight) and the addition of a compartment (the design placed under the shield, a grassy mound in the BBC coat of arms).