Royal Children's Hospital

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ROYAL CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL (Melbourne)

Official blazon

Arms : Per chevron Argent and Azure, in chief two Rods of Aesculapius erect proper, the Serpents respectant Vert, in base a representation of the Constellation of the Southern Cross with five Mullets Argent; on a Chief Gules, a Lion passant Or.
Crest : On a Wreath Argent, Gules, and Azure, on Water Barry wavy Argent and Azure, an Australian Pelican naiant proper.
Supporters : On the dexter side a Boy proper vested in a short Tunic Argent, edged at the neck and sleeves, and pendent from a Cincture a Purse Or, Shoes Vert, and on the sinister side a Girl proper vested in a long sleeveless dress, edged at the neck and hem and Cinctured Or, shoes Vert.
Motto: 'Fide, Scientia, et Amore'.

Origin/meaning

The arms were officially granted on May 5, 1966.

The Shield contains the symbols of three basic ideas: (a) The lion refers to the Royal prefix granted in 1953, and the patronage of Her Majesty the Queen; (b) The Rods of Aesculapius refer to the art of healing; and (c) the stars refer to thr State of Victoria. The Lion of England is self-explanatory, and

The Crest is the Australian pelican, Pelecanus conspicillatus, found everywhere in Victoria, and, as a pelican is often depicted as 'in its piety', i.e. pecking its breast to feed its young, signifies devotion to the young.

The Supporters, appropriately children, are dressed in costumes taken from Greek sculptures of the fourth century B.C. to avoid the dating effect of modern dress.