Diocese of Tulsa

DIOCESE OF TULSA (Dioecesis Tulsensis)

Country : United States
Denomination : Roman Catholic

Established : 1972

Official blazon

Origin/meaning

The arms consist of a red background represents the Choctaw word “okla” (people) and “homma” (red) meaning red people and is the source of our state’s name, Oklahoma. The five arrows inside a silver “shakefork” represent the Five Civilized Nations – the Cherokee, the Creek, the Seminole, the Chickasaw and the Choctaw nations – who were relocated from their homeland in the southeastern U.S. to Oklahoma Territory.
The arrows point downward as a sign of peace and are meant to honor the advancements tribal governments, education and the arts made by the nations.
The Y-shaped “shakefork” is a variation of the Cross and signifies the three persons of the Holy Family to whom thr Holy Family Cathedral is dedicated.

The green drops on a silver background on the bordure represent oil, a natural resource that has played a major, very significant role in the history of Tulsa.