The University of Hong Kong — Motto, Emblem, Coat of Arms, Colours & Anthem

Module: 00 Overview · Sub-file: Symbols (symbols) This article collates HKU's motto, shield of arms, full heraldic achievement, colours, and university anthem. The core insignia were acquired in two institutional stages: the shield and motto were granted by the College of Arms in 1913^※; the full achievement (crest, supporters, etc.) followed in 1984, in connection with an anniversary^※. This article adheres to the official record, prioritising factual accuracy.

# 1. Motto: Mingde Gewu (明德格物)

# Chinese–Western correspondence

According to HKU's official explanation:

• 明德 (mingde): to manifest virtue^※;
• 格物 (gewu): to investigate things^※;
• The two terms respectively embody the ideals of the Arts and the Sciences^※.
• On the Latin side: Sapientia corresponds to gewu, while Virtus corresponds to mingde^※.

# 2. Shield of Arms and Full Heraldic Achievement

# The shield

According to HKU's official visual identity guidelines, the shield blends elements from European and Chinese traditions^※:

• Upper third: a gold lion on a red ground, echoing the coat of arms of England (three gold lions on a red field)^※;
• Lower portion: an open book set against a background divided blue and green, symbolising learning and the geography of Hong Kong Island^※;
• The pages of the book bear the two characters 「明德」 and 「格物」^※.

# The grant in two stages

# The supporters

• The full achievement features two supporters: a Chinese dragon and an English lion, each wearing a Chinese jade collar^※; they symbolise the union of Eastern and Western cultures^※.
• The steep mounts on which the supporters stand allude to the topography of Hong Kong Island^※.

# 3. University Colour: Dark Green

• HKU's institutional colour is dark green^※.
• The green also echoes the green ground behind the open book on the lower part of the shield, consistent with the University's visual identity system (per the official visual identity guidelines).

# 4. University Anthem

HKU has a Latin university anthem whose history is rather circuitous:

# 5. Centenary Song: Mingde Gewu (2011)

In addition to the 1912 Latin University Anthem, HKU commissioned a separate Centenary song titled Mingde Gewu (whose English title draws on the motto, "Virtue and Knowledge") during the 2011 centennial celebrations. The two should not be conflated:

Compiled from public reports: Mingde Gewu, named after the University's motto, was composed, written, arranged, and performed by alumni from various HKU cohorts. It is the signature piece of the Centenary's "Heritage" theme — a gift of song from alumni to their alma mater. For the three Centenary themes and related events, see history-2.md; as the creative team consists of public figures and the work is a positive, commemorative piece, this Overview entry does not name individuals. Full details are available on the Centenary's official pages.

# 6. Cross-references

• For the provenance of the motto and the Confucian background of mingde gewu, relevant to the University's founding narrative, see history.md.
• Loke Yew Hall (the former Great Hall) — the venue for the anthem's premiere and many other ceremonies — and the story of its endowment, see history.md.
• The individual emblems and anthems of faculties and halls (e.g. the Faculty of Law's Law Anthem) belong to their respective specialist modules; see ../01-academics/ and ../10-colleges/.