THE OFFICIAL ARMS OF THE DIOCESE OF PENANG

Blazon of the Arms of the Diocese of Penang
Or, an open boat with a Chrismon as mast and five fishermen proper on wavy of four azure and argent.

NON-TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION

Pentagonal Shield (5 sides)
The five sides and angles represent the five states in the Diocese of Penang. The 'field' of the shield is coloured yellow or gold.

Open North-Malaysian Boat (or Perahu)
A boat is traditionally one way of symbolising the Church or Diocese. Here, it symbolizes the Penang Diocese which is in North Malaysia.

Fishermen (Five)
The five states in the Diocese.

Chrismon (Gross)
This traditonal Christian monogram is a contraction of the word "Chris tos" formed by the Greek letters Chi (x or??) and Rho (P). It is also used as a symbol of the cross or crucifix. The Emperor Constantine (died 337) used it on the shields of his soldiers.

"P". As the Greek letter "Rho" looks like the letter "P", it could fittingly be the first letter of 'Penang' or 'Pulau Pinang'. Thus, it could be most perspicuosly used (or easily understood) and identified with the Diocese of Penang by any layman.

Waves (High)
The high waves repreent the sea which forms part of the boundary of all the five states. It also is a symbol of water or 'the living water' which gives eternal life. (John 7:38, Rev 22:17). The 'water' is coloured blue and white.

A NON TECHNICAL EXPLANATION OR STORY OF THE ARMS

The story of the Arms of the Diocese of Penang reflects the story of the calming of the storm in the Bible (Matt 8,23-27; Mk 4, 36-41; Ps, 107, 28-29).

When the storms of life comes sweeping over the Diocese of Penang, we (the Church) want them calmed. We want to avoid the storms. We call upon God to stop them, for God says in Isaiah 43:2, "Should you pass through the sea, I will be with you; or through rivers, they will not swallow you up." Notice the world 'through' used twice in this quotation. In most cases, the most direct route to maturity is through the storms, not around them. We are not guaranteed by God a life free from storms. What he does guarnatee is his watchful eye over us as we go 'through' those times because he holds the Diocese precious in his sight.

He requires our complete trust. If we do this, we can walk above our story circumstances and not drown in them (Matt 14, 29-30).

The Diocese has to 'stand firm' no matter what rocks the boat (2 Th 2-15).

written by Gerry Reutens, 28-8-1991