The shield containing a phoenix and the school motto on an open book is the most common identifying emblem for the University of Chicago. The shield may be used on any official, non-profit University print publications, website, or other media. Digital files in EPS and GIF format are available for download below; please contact Publications & Creative Services with any questions or concerns. For the history of these emblems, click here.
Any for-profit, commercial, or non-University use of these emblems must be authorized by the Vice President of University Communications. Contact Julie Peterson at 773-702-0689,
Name: Master Shield (small) Larger view |
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Name: Master Shield (large) Larger view |
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Name: Coat of Arms (small) Larger view |
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Name: Coat of Arms (large) Larger view |
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Name: Corporate Seal Larger view |
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Emblem History
The University of Chicago Board of Trustees adopted the coat of arms (sometimes referred to as the "shield") in 1910 and the corporate seal in 1912. An expert in medieval heraldry was consulted, who specified the arrangement of the images, the pose of the phoenix, and the colors to be used.
The original versions were drawn by hand and colored with watercolors in six colors (including blue for the tongue of the phoenix). They were therefore not suitable for modern reproduction in the exact form in which they were created. Over the years, many different versions of the coat of arms have been used by the University and its units—to accommodate new reproduction techniques, for special events such as the centennial, or to “brand” specific units. The phoenix depicted by itself, outside of the coat of arms, does not have the same official status as the standard coat of arms. It may be used as a graphic design element but not as an official identifier of the University.
