Heraldry Multi



USS Constitution (Old Ironsides)
Coat of Arms


Description/Blazon
Paly of thirteen Argent and Gules (Dark Red), between two flaunches Sable bearing six mullets palewise of the first, three and three, each bordure and bearing thirteen roundels all Celeste (River Blue); a chief arched reverse and engrailed Gules, charged with a demiplate bearing a demi-annulet Azure (Dark Blue). From a wreath Argent and Gules, between a cannon in dexter bendwise and a cannon bendwise sinister muzzles upwards and outwards Sable, a demi- mast and sail of the USS CONSTITUTION garnished with four anchors Or and bearing the inscription "We the People" upon the sail, all Proper; perched upon the mast an eagle displayed foreshortened, wings inverted Proper. A scroll Azure (Dark Blue) edged Gules and Argent inscribed "UNDEFEATED" Argent. Behind the shield to dexter, a USN officer sword and a USN CPO cutlass and in sinister, a USMC officer Mameluke sword and a USMC enlisted NCO sword saltirewise, points downward, all Proper.

Symbolism
The vertical stripes of the shield hearken to the stripes of the US flag which are indicative of the original thirteen colonies that declared independence from Great Britain. The black flaunches resemble the ship's hull and are emblematic of the ship's nickname, "Old Ironsides." The six white stars represent the original six frigates of the U.S. Navy. The chief simulates patriotic bunting draped over the top of the shield. The shape created between the flaunches paired with the chief resembles that of an oak tree, in tribute to the ship's wooden composition. The two cannons commemorate the armament of the ship. The mast and sail replicate those of the USS CONSTITUTION; additionally, the sail resembles the parchment used for the United States Constitution and is inscribed "We the People," as it is on the document. The four gold anchors are symbolic of the four ships captured by the CONSTITUTION. The bald eagle, a national symbol of freedom and independence as well as power and majesty, vigilantly oversees the ship as its caretaker. "UNDEFEATED" refers to the stellar battle record of the USS CONSTITUTION as well as its unbreakable spirit and legacy. The Navy sword and cutlass are in tribute to all of the officers and sailors that have served on CONSTITUTION'S decks, dating back to 1797. The Marine Corps swords honor the Marines who served aboard the ship alongside its sailors during its fighting history. Together, the swords personify the spirit and dedication to preserve, protect and maintain the USS CONSTITUTION for the people of the United States and to promote the U.S. Navy and the Armed Forces. The coat of arms as blazoned in full color on a white oval, enclosed by a dark blue border edged on the outside with a gold rope and inscribed "USS CONSTITUTION" above and "OLD IRONSIDES" below in gold.





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