These aren’t just decorative flourishes; they are the ancient symbols of St. Mungo, the patron saint of Glasgow, and they form the heart of the Faculty’s official crest – a visual link between the legal profession and the very identity of the city.

A Crest steeped in heritage

The Faculty’s crest was officially granted by the Lord Lyon, the heraldic authority of Scotland, and it reflects a centuries-old bond between the legal community and Glasgow itself. It is no coincidence that St. Mungo (traditionally the city’s founder and spiritual guardian) was chosen as the central figure; with the Faculty’s roots reaching deep into the city’s civic and ecclesiastical life, he was the obvious and fitting emblem of its identity.

Each symbol associated with St. Mungo (the bird that never flew, the tree that never grew, the bell that never rang, and the fish that never swam) has been carefully incorporated into the crest, and repeated throughout the Faculty building. You’ll find it carved into the woodwork in the main library, set above the staircase, and etched in stone at the building’s entrance – a quiet but constant reminder of the Faculty’s connection to the city it serves.

Commemorating milestones through art

Over the years, the Faculty has marked major moments in its history by commissioning artworks that interpret and celebrate this crest. In 1996, a stained glass window by artist John K. Clark was installed to mark the bicentenary of the granting of the Royal Charter in 1796. Another stained glass piece, above the main door, commemorates the 200th anniversary of the founding of the Faculty library in 1817.

A new chapter: the Royal Faculty flag

The most recent chapter in this visual legacy comes in the form of a flag, based on a commissioned painting by talented Glasgow artist Emily Morton. Incorporating the Faculty’s crest and St. Mungo’s attributes, the flag is a striking modern interpretation of a deeply traditional symbol.
 
Look out for it flying proudly above the Faculty building – a banner not just for an institution, but for its enduring bond with Glasgow, its people, and its legal history.

At a time when flags and symbols can be used to divide, this flag tells a different story. The St. Mungo emblems (tree, bird, bell and fish) are ancient civic symbols, woven into Glasgow’s shared history and open to all who contribute to the life of the city. More than a symbol, the crest is a living connection between law, place, and tradition. Whether waving above the Faculty, glowing through stained glass, or carved into stone it speaks of a profession rooted in service, guided by history, and shaped by the city it calls home.