• Overview
• Our Principal
• Our Students
• Hidden Jewel
• Governance
• Annual Report
• Chaplaincy
• Our Mission
• Our Crest
• Our History
• Our Policies
• Retreats & Spirituality
• Pastoral Care
• Religious Studies
• Social Justice
• Student Leadership
• Work with Us
• Dominican Family
• Ex-Students
• Our Uniform Shop

Our Crest

Early in the 15th century the Dominican Order adopted a simple black and white shield, representing joy and penance.

In the mid-15th century the 8 pointed star was added, representing the compass points.  The star is also a symbol of light and divine revelation.  Dominicans are committed to bringing the light of truth to the whole world.

Later in the 15th century, the amount of black on the shield was lessened to allow for the addition of the palm branch and the lily.  The palm, a symbol of Christian martyrdom, also represents those who give witness of their lives to God.  The lily is considered a symbol of purity and dedication.

After the Reformation, in the 17th century, when the Order was trying to regroup, the dog appeared on the badge, holding a burning torch in its mouth.  The dog, lighting up the world with truth, was an ancient rendering of a vision that Dominic’s mother was said to have experienced.  The dog was also a play on words of “Domini-canes” – Dominicans – in translation from the Latin – hounds of the Lord.
Later in the century the book of the Scriptures was added to remind Dominicans that the message of the Gospels cannot be taught unless it has been studied first.

Around the same time the crown was moved from the body of the shield to the top, and a globe of the world was added in its place – representing the peoples of the world whom members of the Order were sent to evangelise.  Later the motto Veritas was added.

This badge was brought to Australia by the Dominican Community which came from Dun Laoghaire, Ireland in 1867.  In their tradition there were various versions of the emblem – incorporating the same elements, but with different colours, dogs active and passive, with and without globes and so on.  But this depiction was drawn in their first Annals on their arrival.  It remained the official crest of the Congregation until the 1960’s.  Since that time it has remained the crest of some of the older communities, and of the schools founded before that time.