Diocese of Sioux City

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DIOCESE OF SIOUX CITY (Dioecesis Siopolitanensis)

Country : United States
Denomination : Roman Catholic

Established : 1902

Official blazon

Gold, three snakes, their tails in their mouths, each encircling a cross paty gules; on a chief gules, three gold crowns.

Origin/meaning

The word ´Sioux´ means ´little snakes´, the snakes thus are canting. They have their tales in their mouth forming a ring, the symbol of eternity. These snakes are applied to the the Dakota, Lakota and Nakota Nations by the Chippewa tribe to distinguish them from the Iroquois, the ´big snakes´.

They encircle lily-crosses pattees are the symbol of Christian faith. By the joint use of these symbols we are reminded to the words of Saint-Augustine: ¨To prefigure Christs Cross, Moses, by the mercyful command of God, raised aloft upon a pole the image of a serpent in the desert, that the likeness of sinful flesh, which mus be crucified in Christ, might be prefigured.

The chief of the shield is red with three crowns symbolising the Magi, Three Wise Men. The three kings symbolize the Epiphany which is the dedication of the Cathedral Church of Sioux City.