By Alex Spade [Public domain], via Wikimedia CommonsLet Glasgow flourish is the city’s motto. It derives from the 6th century St Mungo, our founder and patron saint, one of whose sermons is said to have included the words “Lord, let Glasgow flourish by the preaching of the word”. The Coat of Arms on the left was adopted in 1866 and shows Mungo’s miracles: the tree that never grew, the bird that never flew, the bell that never rang and the fish that never swam. Intrigued? The Evening Times has a basic Eye Spy Glasgow feature on them.
The Coat of Arms and / or depictions of the miracles are everywhere around the city, although you have to be prepared to look up in many cases. Here are a few examples that I’ve noticed on recent wanderings.
Yes Anabel, a very intriguing post! Thanks for providing the link for Eye spy Glasgow. I will read up on that page after writing this one 🙂
Thanks also for the recommendation of where to see windmills in NL. I will keep that in mind until I could actually see the place and not just be there for transit.
Let Glasgow flourish is a wonderful city motto. It’s so wonderful that the coat of arms and the miracles are found throughout the city and in such varied art forms. It would be fun just to walk around the city and try to spot them.
Minneapolis’s motto is En Avant, meaning “forward” in French. I probably never would have known that if this blog post wouldn’t have made me curious enough to google it. (We also have an ugly City Seal that for the best of my knowledge is only displayed in and on City Hall).
It’s a gallus expression of civic pride! Many of them are Victorian, which you would expect, but I like that there are modern adaptations too. Now I’ve started looking, I see them everywhere.
I like the motto and the explanation behind the coat of arms – it sounds like something out of a fairy tale or a myth! I’m off to check out the article now.
Great pictures of the coat of arms and just some great carvings showing the miracles. I love how people can walk by something that is beautiful and they never see it. You did:)
![By Alex Spade [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons](http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3AGlasgow_Coat_of_Arms.png)
The Glasgow Gallivanter 
Absolutely love that coat of arms. When I was younger I wished I had one of my own, like a knight. 🙂 Sounds like some great stories behind this one!
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I can’t stop spotting them now. Found another one day.
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It’s amazing how you can not notice something, and then suddenly it’s everywhere when you start paying attention to it. 🙂
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Yes Anabel, a very intriguing post! Thanks for providing the link for Eye spy Glasgow. I will read up on that page after writing this one 🙂
Thanks also for the recommendation of where to see windmills in NL. I will keep that in mind until I could actually see the place and not just be there for transit.
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Ah, sorry, hadn’t picked up that you weren’t actually spending time there. You never know if you have a window seat…..
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Let Glasgow flourish is a wonderful city motto. It’s so wonderful that the coat of arms and the miracles are found throughout the city and in such varied art forms. It would be fun just to walk around the city and try to spot them.
Minneapolis’s motto is En Avant, meaning “forward” in French. I probably never would have known that if this blog post wouldn’t have made me curious enough to google it. (We also have an ugly City Seal that for the best of my knowledge is only displayed in and on City Hall).
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It’s a gallus expression of civic pride! Many of them are Victorian, which you would expect, but I like that there are modern adaptations too. Now I’ve started looking, I see them everywhere.
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I like the motto and the explanation behind the coat of arms – it sounds like something out of a fairy tale or a myth! I’m off to check out the article now.
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I’m sure it is a total myth, but it’s a good story all the same.
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Looking forward to the library! That coat of arms is really interesting. I like that its based on the various miracles the city has experienced.
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Ha – the library might not concentrate on exactly the bit you expect ! This is the gallus and quirky guide to Glasgow after all….
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Great pictures of the coat of arms and just some great carvings showing the miracles. I love how people can walk by something that is beautiful and they never see it. You did:)
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I did, but I didn’t realise just how many examples there are around the city till I started looking. Now I can’t stop!
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That’s some fascinating bit of history. Neat Coat of Arms. 🙂 And I enjoyed the pictures.
-Chrys Fey
Tremp’s Troops – A to Z Co-co-host
Write with Fey
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Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it.
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