Five Years On: Revisiting the Attributed Arms of Black Lives Matter

The revised attributed arms for Black Lives Matter
Designed and rendered by Chad Krouse, 2025

A few years ago I learned an important truth about the power of a 13th century abstract form of identification enjoys well into the modern age...but first let's revisit the year of 1963.

On what could only have been a horrendously humid and hot day on August 23, 1963, Washington, DC must have been a powder keg ready to explode as The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (1929-1968) took to the podium addressing a sea of sweaty hungry souls.

There on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, Dr. King delivered what history has deemed one of the great masterpieces of rhetoric, his famous, "I have a dream," speech.  Dr. King's words echo across our great country today:

"So even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream. I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.

"...I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. I have a dream today.

"...And when this happens, and when we allow freedom ring, when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God's children, Black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual: Free at last. Free at last. Thank God almighty, we are free at last" (Talk of the Nation, 16 January 2023).

His dream has become the dream of millions worldwide, as communities everywhere continue their own struggles for civil rights in the modern age. 

During the COVID-19 pandemic, I found myself re-engaged with heraldry thanks to quarantine.  I took several years off in order to focus on my doctoral program, and felt a wee bit rusty on the subject. I decided to take the plunge and convert my Anglo-Catholic blog to a heraldic research one.  Now, that's a pivot!  

A graffitied rendering of the attributed arms of Black Lives Matter
posted on Reddit and sent in by a reader.

Simultaneously, America was once again electrified, on the brink of major social change.  The Black Lives Matter movement was working to wake our Nation from slumber, calling on citizens everywhere to live out Dr. King's hallowed words.  

I had an idea, a way to show not only my support for the movement and need for change, but to see if heraldry's power of abstract symbolism holds meaning in the 21st century.  I sketched a design for a coat of arms attributed to Black Lives Matter, and posted the arms on my blog in a show of solidarity.  Click here to read the original post.   In my mind, this was Kingdom Theology at work. 

___________________

Sidebar.  What's that?  Kingdom Theology is an Anglo-Catholic framework or lens through which one sees virtually everything, the "already, but not yet."  The Kingdom of God has come, Jesus proclaimed in the Gospels, but the heavenly realm has not yet been fulfilled.  Thus, we have lots of work to do living in these between times.  Click here to read a reflection I delivered on the topic as a seminarian.

___________________

Something good went viral.

  

Unknowingly, the online heraldry community took notice and I began receiving digital emblazonments of the arms.  Since those were the days of pencil and paper for me, I was amazed at the power of color in heraldry.  I was speechless!  I added a subsequent post to share the illustrations I received.  Click here to read the second post on the attributed arms of Black Lives Matter.

Attributed arms of Black Lives Matter designed by Chad Krouse
Rendered by Dimitri Prica, 2022

I felt the need to commission a digital version myself and turned to Dimitri Prica.  Click here to read my feature on Prica's heraldic artwork.  Yes, it is true, fame fizzles in seconds, and within a handful of days all went quiet regarding my post.

Flag and arms of Black Lives Matter
Designed and rendered by Chad Krouse, 2025

Five years on, I've revisited my design and appreciate what I attempted to pack in those arms.  Since then, I feel as I though I've grown a bit in my understanding of heraldry and its design.  Today, I want to share my final version of the attributed arms in hopes to keep alive the cause of equal rights and the ongoing work of Black Lives Matter.

Graphic unpacking the design rationale
Click image to enlarge
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2025

The graphic above readily explains my revision and I believe is more fitting, reflective of my progress in heraldic design.  The 2020 version is not bad, I simply see a better vision for these arms.

Blazon for the 2025 revision for attributed arms of Black Lives Matter:  Gules masonry Sable, on a dove displayed Argent haloed Or on an inescutcheon Sable issuing from a celestial crown in base the fist of Black Lives Matter all Or.

Arms of Black Lives Matter within a bordure of the arms of the United States of America
Designed and rendered by Chad Krouse, 2025

To honor that day in August 1963 and Dr. King's extraordinary ability to bring together all Americans, I put together the rending above, placing the arms of Black Lives Matter within the bordure of arms of the United States.  

So, what exactly was that truth I learned?  When designs for arms are simple and its identification clear, heraldry has the carrying power through abstraction to convey meaning, especially when words fail us.  This truth, known by many in heraldry, is my foundation and guide.  I won't forget those brief moments in 2020.

Dreams can come true. 

WORKS CITED

Talk of the Nation (16 January 2023). Read Martin Luther King Jr.'s 'I Have a Dream' speech in its entirety.  National Public Radio, accessed May 19, 2025 https://www.npr.org/2010/01/18/122701268/i-have-a-dream-speech-in-its-entirety

Arms of Christ Church Philadelphia

Arms of Christ Church (Episcopal) in Philadelphia, PA
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2025

The coat of arms of Christ Church in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania are resplendent and richly identify this special parish community.  I recently found these arms as I continue my personal quest to discover sound heraldry in the Episcopal Church--I wanted to share right away.  To read other articles in the Recent Finds Series, click on the corresponding label at the end of the post.

According to Gough (1995), the parish arms were designed in the late 1950s by Dr. Harold Bowditch (1883-1964), a prominent member of the New England Committee on Heraldry.

Arms of Christ Church, Philadelphia
Source: Gough (1995), pg 372

The arms as illustrated above from Gough (1995) give us a lot of information for constructing a blazon; however, the tinctures for the field and mitre are but a guess at this point sans hatching.

We do learn a bit regarding Bowditch's rationale: the crossed swords reference the Diocese of London, three plates on a black fess for the founder of Pennsylvania William Penn (1644-1718), and the mitre for Bishop William White (1748-1836), first bishop of the Diocese of Pennsylvania.

Bowditch clearly followed the framework for corporate heraldry Pierre de Chaignon la Rose (1872-1941) used consistently throughout his heraldic work.  In the arms of Christ Church, we have geographical identification (Penn) tied together with historical references for both colonial (London) and diocese (White), and designed in the simplest form possible.  Bingo!

Azure or Gules for the field?
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2025

I chose red for the field based on the Diocese of London reference; however, most arms dedicated to Christ Church in the Episcopal/Anglican tradition use blue owing to the arms of Canterbury Cathedral.

My blazon for the arms of Christ Church, Philadelphia:  Gules, two swords in saltire Argent hilt and pommel Or ensigned by a miter Proper debruised by a fess Sable thereon three plates.

The color blue works just as well.  I'll update this with any new information.  

WORKS CITED

Gough, Deborah M. (1995). Christ Church, Philadelphia: The Nation's Church in a Changing City. University of Pennsylvania Press, pg 372.

Recent Finds Special Edition: The Arms of Christ Church Cathedral

Arms of Christ Church Cathedral (Episcopal) in Eau Claire, Wisconsin
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2025

It began as a flag.  A recent search online yielded the most exciting image, one I've yet to encounter--a parish flag.  Usually, it's the other way around for me, translating a coat of arms into a flag.  Not this time.  So the Recent Finds Series now adds another special edition post highlighting this hidden gem.  To read other articles in the series, click on the corresponding label at the end.  

The new flag of what was then Christ Church parish (now cathedral) was unveiled in the Spring of 1921 and illustrated in The Living Church.  

The Parish Flag of Christ Church
Image source: The Living Church (1921 May 21), 91

Even more exciting, at least to me, the article names the designer along with a brief rationale.  Did I mention the hatching too?  Huzzah!  I cannot express how thankful I was to have all this data in one place.  Again, most unusual.

The Rev. Henry Martyn Medary (1871-1962), an Episcopal priest in Pennsylvania was responsible for creating this gorgeous ensign for Christ Church.  The crispness of Medary's design is equal to his rationale:

"Its field of gold corresponds with the field of the arms of Wisconsin. A large red cross cut through the field symbolizes the name of the parish, Christ Church.  Four 'fountains' (discs with white and blue waves) suggest the rivers on which Eau Claire is situated, and also the meaning of the word, 'Wisconsin,' which is supposed to stand for 'wild rushing channel.'

"In the center of the cross a gold fleur-de-lis indicates the early French settlers of the state. Through the arms of the cross run two 'pales raguly,' heraldic symbols for timber, suggesting the lumber industry upon which this portion of Wisconsin grew up" (The Living Church, 21 May 1921, 91).

The blazon I offer for the arms of Christ Church Cathedral in Eau Claire, WI:  Or, between two pales raguly Vert debruised in fess a cross throughout Gules thereon a fleur-de-lis of the field between four fountains.  

I turned to Pierre de Chaignon la Rose's (1872-1941) blazon constructed for the arms of the Episcopal Diocese of Quincy as my guide.  Click here to learn more about the arms of the Episcopal Diocese of Quincy.  

Armorial flag and coat of arms of Christ Church Cathedral in Eau Claire, WI
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2025

I wonder if Medary was closely following la Rose's work?  I suspect so, or at least Medary was a student of heraldry.  I've yet to encounter another designer's work produced at la Rose's level this early in the 20th century.  Whenever I would discover a coat of arms dated between 1910-1940 without attribution for its designer, I would proudly say, "no one else [except la Rose] was capable of this work at such-and-such a time in the US."  Thanks to Medary's gift of ecclesiastical heraldry in 1921, I no longer speak those words.

Medary was a member of the Diocese of Pennsylvania's committee responsible for proposing a seal and coat of arms back in 1902-1904.  Since la Rose designed the Diocese of Pennsylvania's arms, Medary would be quite familiar with his work.  Nonetheless, Medary would continue to make several heraldic contributions to advance sound heraldry in the Episcopal Church. 

Carpeting behind the main altar inside Christ Church Cathedral, Eau Claire, WI
Image source:  Cathedral Facebook page

My search for evidence to see if these arms are presently used produced one artifact--and I had to squint in order to catch it too.

On a carpet behind the cathedral's main altar is an embroidered image of the coat of arms.  The image of the arms on the carpet is the only rendering I could find online.  Perhaps the cathedral community is unaware of their arms so beautifully arranged and published 104 years ago?  Surely not!

The armorial flags of the Episcopal Church and Christ Church Cathedral in saltire
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2025

I believe this may be the first instance these arms have been digitally rendered in full color.  Simply lovely. 

Works Cited

The Living Church. (1921 May 21). A parish flag. The Living Church, 65(3), 91.

Recent Finds Series: St. Paul's Church By-The-Lake

Arms of St. Paul's Church By-The-Lake (Episcopal) in Chicago
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2025

A recent discovery online and worthy of sharing, the coat of arms of St. Paul's Church By-The-Lake in Chicago, Illinois.  In my ongoing challenge to seek and find heraldry in the Episcopal Church to better understand how the American heraldic tradition has been shaped, as well as to prove this ancient art is alive and thriving in the US today, the arms of St. Paul's Church By-The-Lake came as a pleasant surprise.

To read other articles in the Recent Finds Series, click on the label at the end of the post.

One immediate observation was the parish arms completely avoid any use of the attributed arms to Saint Paul.  The seemingly use of the reverse pall cross to show unification with the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago is another feature rarely seen in parish arms.  In this article, I'll cover both the arms of the parish and those of the diocese as well.  

Side by Side Comparison:  Arms of the Diocese of Chicago and St. Paul's Church By-The-Lake
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2025

The parish arms make effective use of geographical identification using barry wavy in base for what I could only see as a reference for Lake Michigan.  The sword provides the only reference to Saint Paul with stark simplicity.  The parish arms are simple and clear; heraldry at its best.  As of now, I do not know who designed the arms for the parish.  Hopefully, we can learn in time.  

Current logo in use by the parish
Image source: Parish Facebook page

Several renderings of the parish arms have 1) the sword with hilt to chief/point to base, and 2) the field behind the sword is a lighter blue than the barry wavy in base, likely for contrast.  The current logo seen above omits the barry wavy altogether.  

Without a blazon, I used artistic license for simple corrections to match carvings of the arms found in the sanctuary.  To me, the carvings appear correctly rendered.

Arms of the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago (pre-1919)
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2025

The arms of the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago were designed by Ralph Adams Cram (1863-1942) and adopted by the see in 1904 (Episcopal Diocese of Chicago, 1904, 29-31).  

La Rose's proposed revision
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2025

Cram's heraldic partner, Pierre de Chaignon la Rose (1872-1941) would later critique the design in Cram's own journal, Christian Art.  La Rose (1907) writes:

"Chicago. Gules, on a pairle reversed azure fimbriated argent, between three crosses-crosslet of the last, as many fleurs-de-lis, the two inferior ones chevronways, or; on an inescutcheon or a phoenix gules.

"This shield - a beautifully balanced design seems to me a trifle too elaborate. Furthermore, because of the position of the inescutcheon, it is under suspicion of being a compound coat. By raising the inescutcheon in chief one may, to be sure, destroy some of the beauty of the composition, but the shield will become unassailable on the score of heraldic logic and grammar, which is not quite the case at present. The seal of the diocese has three objectionable features among the external ornaments of the shield. It places a motto upon the fanons of the mitre, a procedure for which I can find no heraldic precedent (furthermore, no bishop ever went about with a motto hanging down his back, attached to his pontifical head- gear) . It shows a doubly warded key a corrupted form for two keys.  And it displays a sword, to which, as an external ornament, neither diocese nor bishop has the least right. 

"I know that as the cathedral is dedicated to SS . Peter and Paul, it was thought that in this way the seal might honour both of these saints.  But a sword used as an external ornament to episcopal arms has, heraldically, nothing whatever to do with St. Paul, but denotes solely that the bishop possesses the feudal jus gladii, a right which the bishops of Chicago do not possess. The sword should be removed from the seal as an impropriety. Taken in conjunction with the inescutcheon as at present placed, it would seem to indicate that the bishop, in addition to his episcopal state, sets up to be also mayor or high sheriff of Chicago" (66-67).

Note the blazon cited above is la Rose's interpretation and not official.   

Cram did not relent and his design remained.  I wonder just what kind of friendship these two had, after all they did a lot of work together over the years.  Perhaps Cram chalked it up as la Rose simply being himself.  A good friend, I gather, knows the difference.

Arms of the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2025

The blazon for the arms of diocese, however, were never officially recorded when the see adopted arms in 1904.  Any heraldry enthusiast knows that the blazon is of paramount importance.  Some 15 years later, the question of the diocese's blazon would finally be settled.

"Unfortunately, the 'blazoning' of the seal was not recorded at the time [1904 convention], and in order that there may be no doubt as to its proper coloring, the remaining members of the committee ask to have the correct description, as given by Mr. Cram, entered in the Journal.

"Blazoning of the Seal:--Arms: On a shield, gules voided argent, between three crosses crosslet, argent, a pall reversed, azure, voided argent, bearing three fleurs-de-lis or.  On an inescutcheon, argent, a phoenix rising from the flames, gules" (Episcopal Diocese of Chicago, 1919, 61). 

As far as I can tell, the codified blazon contains two major changes:  1) the addition of a silver outline within the shield, and 2) changing the metal on the inescutcheon from gold to silver.  Frankly, silver works much better with the inescutcheon.  I cannot, however, explain the silver outline or its importance.

Chicago and the backstory of all her heraldry forever maintains a prominent place in the American heraldic tradition.

To learn about the saga surrounding the arms of the University of Chicago, click here.   Don't forget the Catholics!  The story of the Archdiocese of Chicago's arms and its foundations can be found here.

Works Cited

Episcopal Diocese of Chicago (1904).  Journal of the proceedings of the sixty-seventh annual convention of the Church in Chicago.  Diocese of Chicago, 29-31.

Episcopal Diocese of Chicago (1919).  Journal of the proceedings of the eighty-second annual convention of the Church in the Diocese Chicago.  Diocese of Chicago.

La Rose, Pierre de C. (1907).  Ecclesiastical heraldry in America, II. Diocesan arms.  Christian Art, 2(2).