Organisation
|
 |
EMBLEM OF THE CHURCH
Introduction
A great deal of interest surrounds the use of an official
emblem, or seal or crest, of the Church of Scotland. The
following information offers an overview of the emblem
used today, its history and meaning.
1691 to the 21st century
While there is no record indicating that any General Assembly
of the Church has ever given express approval for the
use of the burning bush symbol in any shape or form, the
emblem (used above) first appeared in 1691. The printer
of The Principal Acts of the
General Assembly, George Mossman, under his own
initiative, introduced a title page that year which carried
a representation of the burning bush. It was accompanied
by the words: Nec Tamen Consumebatur.
Between 1691 and 1888 the same design was used but appeared
in no less than eight variations.
|
|
In 1930, the square logo, designed
by Sir D. Y. Cameron, was introduced and used extensively
until 1939 in place of the more familiar emblem. |
Guidance for use today
On the instructions of the General Assembly 1958 the then
General Administration Committee was charged with registering
the emblem with the Lord Lyon King of Arms to safeguard
the use of the seal for the Church. For the first time,
the burning bush emblem became the official mark of the
Church for use on stationery, banners, signs, etc.
While the square logo is still in use in some parts
of the Church today, the guidance given by the Council
of Assembly in 2005, following major restructuring of
the Church's central administration, was that the use
of the original emblem was to be encouraged. Hence you
will see it used extensively throughout this website.
Nec Tamen Consumebatur
The Latin used in the
emblem created by George Mossman roughly translates
into: Nec: it was
not; tamen: however;
consumebatur: it
was consumed.
The wording refers to the Book of Exodus in the
Bible when Moses encountered the burning bush. No
matter how much it burned, it was never consumed
by the flames. |
 |
Scholars suggest that Mossman may have got the idea to
use the Latin (which is the Latin of Tremellius and Junius
of 1597 and not the earlier Latin of the Vulgate) from
France or Holland. It is suggested that the printer deliberately
used the wording in its new context to celebrate the liberation
that came following the bloodless revolution of 1689 when
the suffering of the Church involving the monarchy
and the Covenanters was finally over.
The emblem also echoes the teachings of 16th century
theologist and preacher John Calvin who saw the burning
bush as representative of the people of God - the Church
which suffers in any age or place but against which
not even the gates of Hell can prevail.
You can download a copy of the emblem, and much less
used logo, on our
free photo galleries in our online newsroom.
[top of page]
|
