 THE
Lisburn Borough Coat of Arms, which can be seen on many
signs placed on main roads on the outskirts of the town,
was granted on November 15, 1966.A lot of interesting
local history was woven into its intricate design and each
of the colourful illustrations has an individual symbolic
meaning.
In the centre is a shield in blue with a gold cross,
the centre of which is engraved and has a design of a
Bishops mitre which indicates that Lisburn was a cathedral
town for more than 300 years.
The ends of the cross are in a Fleur de Lys referring
to the early Huguenots settlers. In the top left-hand
quarter of the shield a silver shuttle with gold thread
are symbolic of the linen industry and in the lower right
quarter a silver ostrich's head with a gold horseshoe in
it's beak are from the arms of Sir Richard Wallace and
refer to his fame as a collector.
The shield is surmounted by a helmet with a blue and
gold mantle ., and on the helmet is a blue and gold wreath
bearing a red crown in the shape of a wall with
battlements, which is the badge of the municipality.
Standing on the battlements is a black gamecock with
red comb and wattles, which is a punning reference to the
old name of the town - Lisnagarvey, the fort of the
gamesters.
On each side of the crown and gamecock is a sprig of
flowering flax in its natural colours; The `supporter on
each side is a black phoenix rising from flames in their
natural colours.
Each phoenix has a gold beak and wears a small red
mural crown similar to that on the crest. These and the
motto 'I will arise out of the fire' refer to fact that
the town was twice burnt down and rebuilt in its early
days.
(Ulster Star 1987)
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