ALPHA WORKSHOP . . . from the desk of Laurence T. Young, Executive Secretary For many years, the General Office has been deluged with requests for an explanation of the COAT OF ARMS or commonly known as the FRATERNAL DESIGN. So that the blasonry of a coat-of-arms described in the correct heraldic terminology may readily be understood by anyone not thoroughly conversant with the institution of heraldry, it is necessary to elaborate considerably on the terms employed. The background of heraldic achievements is particularly interesting inasmuch as the terms are of old Norman French origin. The following is an interpretation in detail of the FRATERNAL DESIGN of Alpha Phi Alpha armorial bearings, and the explanations follow in the same order as given in the blazonry at the beginning of this description: ESCUTCHEON: Per pale or and sable between a fess embattled three Sphinx beads proper all countercharged. CREST: On an esquire's helmet and a wreath of the colors two torches or flamed gules saltire wise. MANTLING: Or double sable. MOTTO: Alpha Phi Alpha in upper case Greek letters. PALE in heraldry is a broad vertical band in the center of the shield and occupies about one third the area of the shield. The word itself is derived from the same root as our English words "paling" and "palisade" and is interpreted in heraldry as something worthy of being defended. PER PALE means that the shield is divided by a thin line in the manner of a pale but not clearly — or nearly as broad as an actual pale itself. In this coat-of-arms it can be easily interpreted as the sillingness to defend the principles on which Alpha Phi Alpha is founded. OR is the heraldic term for gold, which is one of the colors of Alpha Phi Alpha. As is the coat-of-arms, light heraldic and nobile in purpose. The lasting and enduring qualities of this precious metal is indicative of the lasting qualities of friendships formed within the bond of Alpha Phi Alpha and at the same time it represents the desire for knowledge and a higher degree of scholarship shared by all its members. SABLE is the heraldic term for black. It is the color of night and secrecy. Consequently it denotes that the fraternity is a secret organization. FESS (Fess) in heraldry is a broad band across the center of a shield placed in a horizontal manner and occupies about one third the area of the shield. Actually, the word means belt or waist, and such a term is applied to that particular area of the shield which defended the waits of the bearer of the shield when in actual combat. This particular FESS is embattled, or the upper line of it is drawn in such a way so as to indicate turrets of a tower. These are seven in number indicating the seven founders of Alpha Phi Alpha. The interpretation of its FESS embattled is indicative of the fact that Alpha Phi Alpha is made up of men united in a common purpose, and the willingness of the members to defend and to do everything within their power to further the interest 22
of the fraternity. A SPHINX HEAD is an emblem of secrecy. Three Sphinx heads have been used to indicate the three principles on which the fraternity is founded, or possibly the three ideals which all of its members hope to attain. These Sphinx heads are proper, or are represented in a colored drawing of the coat-of-arms as being in their natural color, which would be the color of sandstone. All are COUNTERCHARGED which means the colors of the fraternity alternate, or and sable (gold and black). The dexter side, which is the left side of the shield when one is looking at the shield but is the right side to the person who is bearing the shield or is behind it, is gold. The opposite half, or the sinister side, is black. One half of the Fees is black and the other half is gold. The Sphinx at the top of the dexter side, the Sphinx at the top of the sinister side, and the Sphinx at the bottom should all be the color of sandstone. AN ESQUIRE'S HELMET is used in this design. An esquire was the lowest order of fighting man in the days of chivalry. It might be said he corresponded to the Ensign of our Navy, or the First Lieutenant of the Army. The helmet of an esquire when used in heraldry always faces to the dexter side (to the left of the person looking at the coat-of-arms). The visor is always closed. The fact that the helmet is that used by the lowest order of chivalry is indicative of democracy, and the fact that the visor is closed, or down, suggests the idea of secrecy or readiness to defend the principles of the Fraternity. THE WREATH OF COLORS (or TORSE) is a twisted rope-like effect which appears directly above the helmet. It is what is left of the conventionalized wreath that was presented to the knight by his lady sponsor when he entered the lists. It is also suggestive of the laurel wreath placed upon the brow of the victor in combat. It has been conventionalized to six divisions, — the first of this is the metal used in the shield — in this case, GOLD: — and the second and prominent color used in the shield — in this case, BLACK. One metal and one color is all that is ever used in the wreath, or torse, and they always alternate with the metal being the first one at the left. THE CREST in this design is two torches, the handles of the torches being OR (gold) and the flame part of the torches being BULES (red). Torches have been used for centuries to indicate freedom and liberty. GULES, which is the heraldic term for red, is the natural way of showing the flames of lighted torches, but GULES itself is the color used to indicate valor and courage. The torches are placed saltire wise, or is the form of a cross, thus denoting the willingness of the members not only to carry the torch of freedom and enlightenment, but also the willingness to sacrifice for these principles whenever necessary. THE MANTLING is the lacy, fluttering design at the side of the shield and emanating from the back of the helmet. It is the conventionalized representation of the mantle or the cloak which the warrior wore in order to protect himself when in full armor from the rays of the sun or from