Coat of Arms Spotlight: Sir Paul McCartney
In 1997, the Beatles‘ Paul McCartney was knighted at Buckingham Palace by Queen Elizabeth II for his „service to music.“ In 2001, for his 59th birthday, McCartney was granted his own personal coat of arms.
Immortalized in the elements of his coat of arms, you will find acknowledgements of his personal background and musical career. The coat was officially granted by Hubert Chesshyre, LVO, Clarenceux King of Arms, one of the most senior heraldic appointments in England.
The symbols in Paul McCartney’s coat of arms
It is well known that McCartney came from Liverpool, England, and that his time spent there held great significance to him. Correspondingly, at the top of McCartney’s coat of arms is depicted a Liver Bird, the national bird of his hometown of Liverpool. The bird is holding a guitar in his claws. The image of the helmet, facing left with its visor open, is a customary sign of his Knighthood.
In addition to the guitar in the Liver Bird’s clutches, musical imagery is pervasive throughout the design. Paul and his bandmates are represented in the shield, comprised of round black emblems which, divided, look like the backs of beetles (a playful nod to ‚The Beatles‘). The two circles in the shield suggest vinyl records and CDs. And if you take a close look you’ll see six strings strung across the circles like a guitar.
The heraldic motto is: Ecce cor meum („Behold My Heart“), which is also the title of his classic album written at the time his wife Linda’s health was failing.
McCartney commissioned the coat of arms for £3,500 (just under $6,000).
Wappen Paul McCartney
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