Powys

Heraldry of the World Civic heraldry of the United Kingdom

POWYS

Additions : 1974 Brecknockshire, Radnorshire; 1996 Brecknock (1974 Brecknock RDC, Builth RDC, Builth Wells, Crickhowell RDC (partly), Hay RDC, Hay UDC, Llanwrtyd Wells, Ystradgynlais RDC), Radnorshire District Council (1974 Colwyn RDC, Knighton Borough, Knighton RDC, Llandrindod Wells, New Radnor RDC, Painscastle RDC, Presteigne Borough, Rhayader RDC)

Official blazon

Arms: Per chevron bevilled Or and Sable three Fountains proper.
Crest: On a Wreath Or and Sable rising from a Tower Sable masoned Argent a Red Kite Or semy of Lozenges Sable grasping between its talons a Golden Fleece; Mantled Sable doubled Or.
Motto: 'POWYS PARADWYS CYMRU' - Powys, the paradise of Wales.

Origin/meaning

The arms were officially granted on March 2, 1984.

The gold symbolises the wealth of the area and black both mining and the Black Mountains. The fountain is a medieval heraldic charge, always shown as a roundel barry wavy Argent and Azure. It represents water and, therefore, both refers to the water catchment area and the rivers and lakes. The arms, therefore, contain references to the hills and mountains, rivers and lakes, water supply and industry.

The crest continues the colouring of the arms. A tower has been used in preference to a mural crown, which alludes to the county's military history and remains. From the tower rises a red kite, a bird almost extinct in Britain, but surviving here. The bird is semy of black lozenges for the former coal mining industry, while the golden fleece it carries is a reference to the importance of sheep rearing in Powys.

The motto is Welsh for Powys - the paradise of Wales.

Literature : Image and information provided by Laurence Jones.