History &
Chronology
The Coat of Arms
The College received the letters patent for the Coat of Arms in
1961. The symbols have three main themes
a) those traditionally used
showing medicine’s ancient lineage
b) those symbolising wide
knowledge
c) those conveying the
doctor’s caring and healing relationship with patients.
Motto
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Scientific knowledge applied with compassion.
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The Owl
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“The owl is traditionally the symbol of wisdom. Richmond
Herald was very keen that the College should have an owl for it's
crest we told him we did not consider ourselves to be very
clever or wise. He replied that his idea was not connected with
wisdom and had to do with night calls.” [Forty Years On,
1992]
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Gavel
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The gavel entwined with serpent [held by owl] = gavel for
chairman, serpent of Asklepious (Greek God of Healing) for
medicine.
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Shield
The shield is in two halves black and white meaning night and
day, with possibility of influence of Barts shield. The shield is
divided by a chevron which symbolises the roof of a house for this
shows the care of the family and also resembles the
practice building in which most of the work of a GP takes
place
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White Poppy
The white poppy on the top
left hand side of the shield symbolises the relief of pain.
Blue Gentian
The blue gentian in the top right hand side of the shield
symbolises the restorative and rehabilitation side of GPs' work. It
was pointed out later that the particular gentian chosen was not
used medically.
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