Ebbw Vale

Heraldry of the World Civic heraldry of the United Kingdom

EBBW VALE UDC

Incorporated into : 1974 Blaenau Gwent

Official blazon

Arms: Per fesse Sable and Gules masoned Argent a Cross fillet Or in the first quarter a pair of Mill Rolls palwise proper the necks Gold in the second quarter an open Scroll of Parchment also proper.
Crest: On a Wreath Or and Sable a Dragon passant Gules breathing fire proper gorged with a Collar of Steel also proper with a Chain of the same attatched thereto passing between the forelegs and reflexed over the back and resting the dexter foreclaw on an Ingot of Steel likewise proper.
Motto: 'IECHYD AC ADDYSG' - Health and learning

Origin/meaning

The arms were officially granted on March 10, 1958.

The upper half is black to symbolise the coalfields of Ebbw Vale and the lower half red masoned white to represent the urban status of the district. The pair of mill rolls refer to the important steel industry, the parchent scroll to education, and the masoned division may also be said to allude to brickworking. Over all is set a golden cross emblematic of the Christian community long flourishing in Ebbw Vale and expressive of its aspirations.

The red dragon is for Wales breathing fire in allusion to Ebbw Vale's furnaces. For necessary heraldic difference and in emphasis of the district's flourishing steel industry the dragon has been collared and chained with steel and rests its claw on an ingot of the same metal.

Literature : Image and information provided by http://www.civicheraldry.co.uk