Diocese of Wisconsin Unveils New Seal and Coat of Arms
After months of careful discernment, design, and refinement, the Diocese of Wisconsin has officially adopted a new diocesan seal and coat of arms. This new design, developed by a team of clergy and lay leaders in consultation with heraldry expert Father Guy Selvester, honors the deep history of the Episcopal Church in Wisconsin and celebrates the reunification of the three historic dioceses.
The seal and coat of arms incorporate meaningful Christian symbols and elements that reflect Wisconsin’s unique geography and heritage. While the official seal and shield follow traditional heraldic design, work is also underway to create a contemporary diocesan logo for broader communication and outreach. Without further ado…
The Episcopal Diocese of Wisconsin Seal and Coat of Arms, adopted March, 2025
Now, let’s take a closer look at the design process and symbolism behind the new imagery.
The Process:
Late last summer, a team from across the newly reunited Diocese of Wisconsin with art and design experience began discerning a new diocesan seal design. This dedicated team was composed of Father Chris Corbin, Deacon Nancy Hills, Randy Miller, Dean Patrick Perkins, and Jennifer Williams. After months of reflection and refinement in conversation with Father Guy Selvester of South Amboy, NJ, an expert in heraldry, the team was ready to present the proposed design to the Diocese of Wisconsin Mission Council. After further refining in response to its input, the Mission Council approved a new seal and shield for the Diocese of Wisconsin. The official seal and shield are traditional in design. We are now working on a more contemporary logo that we can also use for diocesan communication and publicity.
Heraldic Explanation:
The two images are the seal and coat of arms, with the seal being the coat of arms contained in a vesica (the lemon shape) with the name and original diocesan date of establishment. The waves in the lower half of the shield in the coat of arms are the heraldic representation of water, an allusion to the many lakes and rivers that so influenced the history and culture of our state. The dominance of blue in the design also alludes to the blue of Wisconsin’s abundant lakes and rivers. It is also a reminder of the waters of baptism and the “living water” promised by Jesus. In the top center of the shield are three intertwined fish, an ancient Christian symbol for the Trinity and a reference to the coming together of the three historic Dioceses.
The symbol of the fish is rich with further Christian meaning. It predates even the cross as a symbol of Christianity since the Greek word for fish, ἰχθύς (ikhthū́s), could be an acronym for “Jesus Christ, son of God, savior.” The fish has a connection to discipleship and mission, reminding us of Jesus’s calling the first disciples to be “fishers of people.” The fish even has a Eucharistic connotation, connected as it is to the story of Jesus’s feeding the multitude and that story’s foreshadowing of the Eucharist. Finally, these specific fish are walleye, connecting this ancient Christian symbol to a kind of fish with so much importance for our state. Flanking the fish are crosses fleury, meaning they are tipped with fleur-de-lis, a design carried over from the seals of the three historic dioceses of Wisconsin. Around the shield in the coat of arms is a mitre, crozier, and key, traditional elements in coats of arms for dioceses of the Episcopal Church.
Looking Ahead:
The new diocesan seal and coat of arms mark an important moment in the Diocese of Wisconsin’s history, visually affirming our unity and shared mission. While this design honors our past, it also serves as a foundation for the future as we continue building a vibrant, Christ-centered community.
Stay tuned for more updates as we develop a contemporary diocesan logo, and keep an eye out for these new symbols in official diocesan materials and events.
For questions or further information, please contact the diocesan office.
Glossary of Key Terms:
To help explain the significance behind the various elements in the new design, here are some key terms and their meanings:
Diocesan Seal – An official emblem used to represent the diocese, often featuring symbols significant to its identity and history.
Coat of Arms – A heraldic design featuring symbols and elements that represent the diocese, typically displayed on a shield.
Vesica – A pointed oval shape (often resembling a lemon) commonly used in Christian iconography and heraldry to frame religious symbols.
Heraldry – The art and practice of designing, describing, and displaying coats of arms and other symbols of identity.
Mitre – A ceremonial headdress worn by bishops, symbolizing their authority.
Crozier – A bishop’s staff, often shaped like a shepherd’s crook, representing pastoral care and leadership.
Key – A symbol often associated with ecclesiastical authority, derived from St. Peter receiving the "keys to the kingdom" from Jesus.
Crosses Fleury – A type of cross with its arms ending in fleur-de-lis, a stylized lily symbol often associated with the Holy Trinity and purity.
Fleur-de-lis – A stylized lily or iris symbol, commonly used in Christian and heraldic traditions, symbolizing purity, the Virgin Mary, and divine authority.
Trinity – The Christian doctrine that God exists as three persons: Father, Son (Jesus Christ), and Holy Spirit, yet is one God.
ἰχθύς (Ikhthū́s) – The Greek word for "fish," used as an acronym in early Christianity for "Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior."
Discipleship – The act of following and spreading the teachings of Jesus Christ.
Eucharist – The Christian sacrament of Holy Communion, commemorating Jesus's Last Supper with bread and wine.
Walleye – A species of freshwater fish significant to Wisconsin, used in the design to symbolize local identity.
Mission Council – A governing or advisory body within the diocese responsible for decision-making and oversight.
