Coat of arms of Bristol
| Coat of arms of Bristol | |
|---|---|
| Armiger | Bristol |
| Adopted | 1569 |
| Crest | On a Wreath Or and Gules issuant from Clouds two Arms embowed and interlaced in saltire proper the dexter hand holding a Serpent Vert and the sinister holding a Pair of Scales Or |
| Shield | Gules on the sinister side a Castle with two towers domed all argent on each dome a Banner charged with the Cross of St. George the Castle on a Mount Vert the dexter base Water proper thereon a Ship of three masts Or the rigging Sable sailing from a port in the dexter tower her fore and main masts being visible and on each a round top of the fifth on the foremast a sail set and on the mainmast a sail furled of the second |
| Supporters | On either side a Unicorn sejant Or armed maned and unguled Sable |
The coat of arms of Bristol consists of a sailing boat on water emerging from a castle stading upon grass on the left. The supporters are two unicorns, both sejant, and the crest consists of two arms, one holding a snake and the other a balance. Adopted in 1569, the arms was not the first heraldic symbol the city used; numerous seals were used previously. The city was also granted a heraldic badge in 1983, although less frequently used than the coat of arms.